Upper Lake Bhopal Entry Fee
- No Entry Fee
- 100 per person for Cruise boat (Ride of 45 mins)
- 240 per person for Motor Boat
- 80 per person for Paddle Boat
Boating Prices
Upper Lake Bhopal Phone
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Upper Lake Bhopal Address: Near CM House, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462003, India
Upper Lake, a magnificent, artificial water body, is one of the significant attractions of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. Also known as ‘Bada Talab’, this lake receives thousands of visitors all through the year. It is a popular weekend destination for the locals as well. The history of the lake dates back to the 11th century, when it was commissioned by the then ruler of Malwa, Paramara dynasty’s Raja (King) Bhoj. Hence, it is also called ‘Bhoj Tal’, locally.
Considered to be the oldest man-made lakes in the state, Upper Lake is also one of the main sources of water for irrigation and drinkable water for the residents of Bhopal. It is separated from the Lower Lake (Chhota Talab), which is another artificial lake, by a bridge called Pul Pukhta or Lower Lake Bridge. Constructed across the Kolans River, the Upper Lake in Bhopal is famous for its scenic locale, shimmering water and the fantastic views of the sunrise and sunset from here.
Another attraction of the lake that draws huge crowds on a regular basis is the different water sports facilities on offer here by the National Sailing School. These include rafting, kayaking, parasailing, canoeing and water skiing. Besides these adventure water sports, tourists can enjoy paddle boating, boat cruise and motorboat rides on the lake. All these facilities along with food joints, aquarium, boat club and scenic walkway along the lake, make it a popular tourist hotspot.
History of Upper Lake in Bhopal
There is an interesting legend associated with the creation of this artificial lake. It is believed that once Raja Bhoj was diagnosed with a skin disease and none of the doctors were able to cure him. Finally, a saint suggested the king build a lake and fill it up with water collected from 365 tributaries. He said that taking a bath in that water will cure the king’s disease.
Accordingly, the king commissioned the construction of such a lake. However, his people who were assigned to collect the water from 365 tributaries could only manage to find 359 tributaries and bring water from them. It was then, when a Gond commander called Kalia, shared the location of an invisible river and its tributaries. The result of all this effort is what we know today as Bhoj Tal.
Architecture of Bhopal Upper Lake
Spread over an area of approximately 36.1 sq km, the man-made Upper Lake along with the Lower Lake together constitutes the Bhoj Wetland (a Ramsar site). On its south lies the Van Vihar National Park; on the west lie the agriculture fields while on its north and east sides are human settlements.
Close to the lake is located the grand royal garden – Kamla Park, a popular tourist attraction of the city. There is an island in the middle of the lake, where a tomb of Shah Ali Shah Rahmatullah lies. A big statue of Raja Bhoj holding a sword has been installed on a pillar at one of the corners of the lake.
Image Gallery of Upper Lake Bhopal
Things to do in Upper Lake, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Upper Lake is one of the popular tourist attractions of Bhopal, and the reason for it is the loads of opportunities it offers for fun, adventure and relaxation. The picturesque backdrop of the lake makes it an ideal spot for families to spend some leisure time and unwind; stroll on the walkway and enjoy the scenic views. In addition, different types of boating – paddle boating, motor boating and sailing can be enjoyed at the lake.
On the other hand, adventure enthusiasts can indulge in thrilling water sports like rafting, kayaking, parasailing, etc. at this place. Tourists can also head to the food joints located in the vicinity. Also, they can visit the beautiful Kamala Park and the tomb of Shah Ali Shah Rahmatullah here.
After exploring this serene lake and the attractions nearby, tourists can plan to visit the other popular attractions of Bhopal including the Van Vihar National Park, State Museum of Madhya Pradesh, Regional Science Center, Hazrat Faiz Bahadur Dargah and Jama Masjid.
Bhopal Upper Lake Timings and Entry fee
There is no entry fee to visit the Upper Lake. This place remains open on all days of the week from 6 am to 7 pm. However, boating on the lake is chargeable. For a 45-minute ride on cruise boats, for a single person, the price is Rs. 100. The price for a single person for motorboats is Rs. 240 and for paddle boats, the price is Rs. 80 per person. October to March is the ideal time to visit the Upper Lake, when the beauty of the lake is at its peak and indulging in water sports is really fun.
How to reach Upper Lake Bhopal
By Air: The nearest airport to this place is the Raja Bhoj International Airport in Bhopal. The airport is about 11 km away, and it takes about 24 minutes to reach here, by availing private taxis and auto rickshaws.
By Rail: The Upper Lake is located at an approximate distance of approximately 10.4 km from the main railway station of the city, the Bhopal Railway Junction. The junction receives several major trains from across the country.
It takes about 20 minutes to cover the distance between the junction and the lake by availing auto rickshaws and private taxis. However, the nearest railway head to the lake is the Sant Hirdaram Nagar Railway Station (previously known as Bairagarh Railway Station), which is only about 1.8 km away.
By Road: The Bhopal Habibganj-ISBT Bus Stand is the nearest bus station to the Upper Lake. It is at a distance of about 2.2 km. The ISBT Bus Stand receives buses from different major cities of neighboring states as well from within Madhya Pradesh.
City Travel: Traveling to the lake from any part of the city can be done by hiring a private taxi from top car rental companies in Bhopal or an auto rickshaw. Alternatively, tourists can travel by the metro train; the closest metro station being the AIIMS one, which is about 20 km away. From the metro station, taxis and auto rickshaws can be availed. Bus services too can be availed from different parts of the city. The two bus stops located close to the Upper Lake are Kamla Park and Polytechnic.
Things to keep in mind while visiting Upper Lake in Bhopal
- Photography is allowed at the lake.
- Precaution should be taken while indulging in various water sports and boating.
- Littering should be avoided at the lake.
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