Lakhota Talav Jamnagar, Gujarat

Lakhota Talav is one of the most beautiful and serene places of Jamnagar. Being right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city, the lake stands as the perfect picture of serenity. It is also known as the Ranmal Lake and surrounds Lakhota Fort, which is situated in an island inside. The lake and the palace were constructed by King of Navanagar, Jan Ranmal II in the mid-19th century AD.

Within the palace, there is an archaeology museum which possesses sculptures (dating from 9th to 18th century), arms and firearms, medieval age pottery from surrounding villages and so on. The fort is connected with the banks through two pathways.

Ranmal Lake is a major place of recreation for locals and a must-visit tourist spot. Evening is the time when most people come to socialise and relax. The lake being lit at night makes the whole place more attractive. Several food stalls are there to satisfy your hunger and make your taste buds happy. A walking track has been built around the lake to give the pleasure of walking round the lovely lake. There are benches around the Lakhota Lake to sit and relax; one can also sit and relax in the Kamala Nehru Park located near one end of the Talav.

Things to do at Lakhota Talav

• Birdwatching – Around 75 species of resident and migratory birds, such as flamingos, gulls, pelicans, spoonbills, have been observed to be the regular avian visitors. To get the best birdwatching experience, visit the place during the migration period.
• Boating in the Lakhota Lake
• Visit Lakhota Palace and Museum
• Visit Bala Hanuman temple – The temple, situated at the south east side of the lake, is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Chants of ‘Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram’ have been going on continuously since 1st August, 1964, a fact that has even been recognised by Guinness Book of Records.

Places to See Around Lakhota Lake

• Narara Marine National Park is at a distance of about 55 km. You can reach this place by road and undertake a ‘coral walk’ as the tide ebbs at the coast.
• Khijadia Bird Sanctuary is about 14 km from the lake and boasts of hosting several species of birds of both freshwater and marine habitat.
• Dwarkadhish Temple – One of the Char Dhams, Dwarkadish temple is 143 km (approx.) from the lake.