A journey to India's largest salt lake:'THE SAMBHAR LAKE'

Shadows are growing up. Far away humidity is melting and melting touching dry sky. Where I am going? My journey is towards India’s largest salt lake ‘TheSambhar Lake’…….. This is the white place of Rajasthan where the history meets the ancient stories.

Play made by the wind making the black road sandy. Suddenly road disappeared, only I can see sandy area extending up to 8KM. Sun is showering heat on me make my body down and the need of water is calling from my trough. Some way I reached in a desert village, where only four or five houses can be seen. Villagers are taking water from bore well, taken enough water from their and continued my journey.

While at the end of this village, I saw the endless white place, The Sambhar Lake, India’s largest salt lake. The tyre marks of Lorries that carry can be seen all over the path near the lake. Everyone should walk through that path only, otherwise be drown to the soil. About 200sqkm is the overall size of the lake, 23km length and 11km width. This place is the dreariest place of migratory birds. Every time the lake fills with water the birds comes to enjoy it.

Lots of old stories of Indian culture are related to this Lake. This is the place where emperor of Bharatvarsha kingdom Yayathi who married his wife Devayani. Also the Devayani’s father and Guru of Asura named ‘Shukracharya’s parnasala (used for daily prayers and poojas) was in here.

It is also believed that this lake and salt field is made by the Goddess Sakumbara. We can see a temple of Goddess Sakumbara at the center of the salt field which is fully painted with white colour.

1000s of year’s salt is producing from here. This place was controlled by Rajaputra, Marathas, and Mugals during their ruling times. From 1870s this place was given to British for lease. To carry salt they built tracks and started train services, still it carrying salt. The bogies are made of wood and while I am reaching their one train is starting to go from their. These salt fields are now under the joint control of Government of Rajasthan and Sambhar salt limited company.

People living in and around Sambhar areas are salt workers hereditary. These fields always give work and money to these people. Visitors are familiar to them and this can be noticed from their relation with everyone.

How to reach here:

Sambhar town is 90kms away from Jaipur. We can reach here through NH 8 passing through Malhan, Bhulera. If you like to enjoy some desert adventure you can take NH8 passing through different path.

For more information please visit: www.rajasthantourism.gov.in

Stay: sambhar lake resorts

In Jaipur: Hotel Gamgaur -0141 2371641 Ghasa kotty-2375151, Hotel swagatham -2200595. Hotel theej-2203199, Hotel Jaipur palace -2743161.