Sambhar Salt Lake

60 km from Jaipur, on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway, lies India's largest salt lake called the Sambhar Salt Lake. It stretches to 22. 5 km and is fed by seasonal fresh water streams like from the Mendha river and the Rupangarh river. Due to its rich endowments of sambhar or salt, the lake is aptly called the Sambar Lake.

For more than a thousand years it has been possessed by rulers, including Marathas, Sindhias, Rajputs and Mughals, for its salt producing qualities. From the Mughals, it was passed on to the Britishers and is currently with the Government of India, since the country got its freedom.

A 5 km long dam segregates the dam into two parts, the eastern side witnesses most of the salt attraction activities. The lake is not just about salt production, it is also a recognized saline wetland which hosts numerous migratory birds from all around Asia, that includes Cranes, Flamingos, Coots, Storks, Redshanks, Black Winged Stilts and Pelicans, who come here to feed on Spirulina Algae. Aquatic birds like Gueese, Shorebirds as well as Ducks can also be found here.

Close to the lake, you will find a railway line, which was constructed by the Britishers to aid salt workers in reaching the lake from the Sambar Lake City. There is also a shrine of Mata Pahari, devoted to Goddess Shakambri, who is believed to have given this useful salt laden lake to the locals, some 2500 years ago.

Getting There & Away
You can catch a train from Jaipur, for Phulera Junction, which is situated 9 km from the lake. From her you can take a jeep or a rickshaw to reach the lake.