Lakes are an important part of nature and are found in different parts of India and the world. They provide water for drinking, farming, and other daily uses. Lakes also help the environment by supporting plants and animals. Many lakes are famous for their beauty and are popular tourist spots. Knowing about important lakes is useful for competitive exams like SSC, Railway, and state government exams. Questions about the names of lakes and their locations often come in the General Knowledge section. For example, Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake in India. Chilika Lake in Odisha is Asia’s largest brackish water lake. Vembanad Lake in Kerala is the longest lake in India. Learning about these lakes and their locations will help you prepare better and improve your score in exams.
Important Lakes in India
| Lake Name | Location (State) | Type | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vembanad Lake | Kerala | Lagoon | Largest lake in Kerala; famous for Nehru Trophy Boat Race. |
| Chilika Lake | Odisha | Brackish Water Lagoon | Largest coastal lagoon in India; famous for migratory birds. |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur | Freshwater | Known for floating phumdis; largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. |
| Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan | Saltwater | Largest inland saltwater lake in India. |
| Pulicat Lake | Tamil Nadu–Andhra Pradesh | Brackish Water Lagoon | Second largest brackish water lagoon; famous for flamingos. |
| Dal Lake | Jammu and Kashmir | Freshwater | Known as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir”; popular for houseboats. |
| Wular Lake | Jammu and Kashmir | Freshwater | One of the largest freshwater lakes in India; a significant fishery. |
| Hussain Sagar Lake | Telangana (Hyderabad) | Artificial | Known for the large Buddha statue in the center; connects Hyderabad and Secunderabad. |
| Naini Lake | Uttarakhand (Nainital) | Freshwater | Famous tourist destination in Nainital. |
| Pangong Tso | Ladakh | Endorheic | Famous high-altitude lake; part of it lies in China. |
| Tsongmo Lake | Sikkim | Glacial | High-altitude lake; associated with religious significance. |
| Sardar Sarovar Lake | Gujarat | Reservoir | Created by Sardar Sarovar Dam; important for water storage and irrigation. |
| Lonar Lake | Maharashtra | Meteoric | Only hyper-velocity impact crater lake in basalt rock. |
| Pushkar Lake | Rajasthan | Freshwater | Known for religious significance; hosts Pushkar Camel Fair annually. |
| Kolleru Lake | Andhra Pradesh | Freshwater | Largest freshwater lake in Andhra Pradesh; declared a wildlife sanctuary. |
| Bhimtal Lake | Uttarakhand | Freshwater | Located in Bhimtal; popular tourist destination with an island in the center. |
| Renuka Lake | Himachal Pradesh | Freshwater | Named after Goddess Renuka; largest lake in Himachal Pradesh. |
| Upper Lake | Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal) | Freshwater | Known as “Bhojtal”; primary water source for Bhopal city. |
| Periyar Lake | Kerala | Reservoir | Formed by Mullaperiyar Dam; important for irrigation. |
FAQs for “Important Lakes and Their Locations”
- What are the most important lakes in India for competitive exams?
Some important lakes in India include Dal Lake (Jammu & Kashmir), Chilika Lake (Odisha), Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan), Vembanad Lake (Kerala), and Loktak Lake (Manipur). - Which is the largest freshwater lake in India?
Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake in India. - What is the importance of lakes in competitive exams?
Questions about lakes, their locations, types, and related features are common in general knowledge and geography sections of exams like SSC, UPSC, and Railways. - Which lake is famous for its floating islands?
Loktak Lake in Manipur is known for its unique floating islands, called “phumdis.” - What are the types of lakes found in India?
India has various types of lakes, including freshwater lakes, saline lakes, artificial lakes, and oxbow lakes. - Which lake in India is the largest saline water lake?
Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is the largest saline water lake in India. - Why is Chilika Lake famous?
Chilika Lake in Odisha is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and is famous for its rich biodiversity and migratory birds. - Are there any artificial lakes in India?
Yes, notable artificial lakes in India include Gobind Sagar Lake (Himachal Pradesh), Rana Pratap Sagar Lake (Rajasthan), and Hussain Sagar Lake (Telangana). - Which is the highest lake in India?
Tso Moriri Lake in Ladakh is one of the highest altitude lakes in India, located at 4,522 meters above sea level. - How can I remember the important lakes and their locations for exams?
Using mnemonics, maps, and categorizing lakes based on states and types can make it easier to remember for competitive exams.
