Saputara Lake
Man-Made Serenity: Saputara Lake is a beautiful, man-made body of water nestled amidst the lush green hills of the Sahyadris. It serves as the tranquil heart of the Saputara hill station and is a focal point for tourism. The lake, along with the surrounding Lake Garden, offers a peaceful retreat and a picturesque setting for relaxation and recreation. Its creation transformed the area into a vibrant tourist hub, providing a calm respite from the busy town areas. The water is often still, reflecting the surrounding greenery and the clear sky, offering spectacular views, especially during sunrise and sunset. The lake is a popular spot for families, couples, and nature lovers seeking a peaceful environment. The path around the lake is well-maintained, encouraging leisurely strolls and providing numerous vantage points. Its location in the Dang district, known for its rich tribal culture, adds a layer of cultural significance to the natural beauty. The development of the lakeside area has been mindful of retaining the natural ambiance while offering modern tourist facilities, including a boat club and various food stalls. It is considered one of the most serene and beautiful spots in Gujarat, a must-visit for anyone traveling to the region, providing a perfect blend of natural beauty and leisure activities, especially popular during the monsoon and winter seasons when the surrounding vegetation is at its lushest. The lake's surroundings often host local vendors selling handicrafts and snacks, contributing to the vibrant local economy and culture. The name Saputara itself, meaning 'Abode of Serpents,' hints at the area's ancient connection to nature and local tribal legends, which makes the lake more intriguing for visitors interested in history and local lore:
General information
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Ideal Duration:
1 - 2 HoursPlace Type:
Nature/RecreationEntry Fees:
Lake Entry: Free Entry to the lake area and the surrounding gardens is generally free of cost for all visitors, making it a highly accessible attraction.
Boating Charges: The main expense is the boating fee, which varies depending on the typ...Lake Entry: Free Entry to the lake area and the surrounding gardens is generally free of cost for all visitors, making it a highly accessible attraction.
Boating Charges: The main expense is the boating fee, which varies depending on the type of boat and duration. Paddle boat charges for a set duration (e. g. , 30 minutes) are typically around Rs.40 to Rs.80 per person or per boat. Rowboat charges with an oarsman are usually higher.
Parking Fees: A nominal fee (e. g. , Rs.20 to Rs.50) is charged for parking vehicles in the designated parking area near the lake, common in most popular tourist spots.
Vendor Costs: Costs for local snacks, tea, and souvenir shopping are variable but generally very affordable, fitting a budget-friendly travel style:Timing:
Regular Timings: The lake area is generally accessible 24 hours a day for walking and viewing. The Boat Club operates with specific timings, usually from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM daily, with a potential break around midday during off-season.
Read MoreRegular Timings: The lake area is generally accessible 24 hours a day for walking and viewing. The Boat Club operates with specific timings, usually from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM daily, with a potential break around midday during off-season.
Ideal Visit Time: The late afternoon (4:00 PM onwards) is ideal for a peaceful boat ride and to enjoy the cool breeze. The early morning (Sunrise) is perfect for photographers seeking serenity and the best light.
Peak Activity Time: The busiest time is between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM, especially on weekends and during peak holiday seasons.
Best Season Timings: Winter and post-monsoon months offer the most pleasant weather for visiting during the day. Summer visits are best restricted to the cooler morning and evening hours:Special Events:
Saputara Monsoon Festival: The most significant event, often held during the July to September monsoon months, features cultural programs, food stalls, and adventure activities, with the lake being a central point for water-based festivities and illuminated decorations.
...Saputara Monsoon Festival: The most significant event, often held during the July to September monsoon months, features cultural programs, food stalls, and adventure activities, with the lake being a central point for water-based festivities and illuminated decorations.
Local Holiday Celebrations: During major Hindu and Adivasi festivals like Holi or Diwali, the lakeside area is brightly decorated, and special prayers or cultural dances may be performed by the local tribal communities.
New Year's Eve: The lake and garden area are often a primary gathering point for tourists celebrating New Year's Eve, with special light arrangements and local performances to entertain the large crowds.
Boat Races (Informal): Though not strictly an annual event, informal rowboat races or competitions are sometimes organized by the local boat club operators during peak tourist seasons to entertain the crowd and add an element of fun:Best Photo Spots:
The Boat Jetty View: The area where the boats are docked, offering a colorful foreground of boats with the lush green hills and the Boat Club in the background, perfect for a vibrant travel photo.
Reflection Shots at Dawn: Arrive early to ca...The Boat Jetty View: The area where the boats are docked, offering a colorful foreground of boats with the lush green hills and the Boat Club in the background, perfect for a vibrant travel photo.
Reflection Shots at Dawn: Arrive early to capture the still waters reflecting the morning sky and the surrounding trees, a serene and painterly shot.
Framing the View: Use the surrounding tree branches or the structural arches of the nearby garden/gate to frame the scenic view of the lake and the distant hills for an artistic composition.
Candid Boating Pictures: Capture candid shots of people enjoying their boat rides, especially during the late afternoon when the light is softer, emphasizing the joy and relaxation of the moment.
Sunset Backdrop: While the main point is elsewhere, the lake at sunset provides a stunning backdrop, with the water often turning golden or orange, an excellent spot for a silhouetted portrait:Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Boating Fun: Rent a pedal boat or a rowboat for a peaceful cruise on the lake's placid waters, a must-do activity for all visitors, suitable for families and couples.
Lakeside Strolls: Take a leisurely walk along the paved pathway encircling the lake, enjoying the fresh air and the panoramic views of the hills.
Picnicking and Relaxation: Find a comfortable spot in the adjacent Lake Garden or on one of the benches to relax, read a book, or have a simple picnic while enjoying the peaceful ambiance.
Photography: Capture the scenic beauty, especially the reflections in the water and the vibrant activities around the boat club, focusing on the natural light during dawn or dusk.
Visit the Nageshwar Mahadev Temple: A short distance from...Boating Fun: Rent a pedal boat or a rowboat for a peaceful cruise on the lake's placid waters, a must-do activity for all visitors, suitable for families and couples.
Lakeside Strolls: Take a leisurely walk along the paved pathway encircling the lake, enjoying the fresh air and the panoramic views of the hills.
Picnicking and Relaxation: Find a comfortable spot in the adjacent Lake Garden or on one of the benches to relax, read a book, or have a simple picnic while enjoying the peaceful ambiance.
Photography: Capture the scenic beauty, especially the reflections in the water and the vibrant activities around the boat club, focusing on the natural light during dawn or dusk.
Visit the Nageshwar Mahadev Temple: A short distance from the lake is the sacred Nageshwar Mahadev Temple, a revered spot you can easily visit before or after your lake activities.
Enjoy Street Food: Sample the local snacks like corn cobs (bhutta), tea, and quick bites from the numerous vendors clustered near the lake entrance and the main market area.
Children's Play Area: The surrounding gardens often feature small play areas and rides, perfect for keeping younger children entertained while adults relax.
Shopping for Souvenirs: Browse the nearby stalls and shops for small souvenirs, local honey, and bamboo crafts made by the Dang tribe.
People Watching: The central location makes it an excellent place to sit and observe the local life and the influx of tourists.
Watch the Sunset/Sunrise: While sunset is more popular at the viewpoint, the lake area itself offers beautiful colors in the sky during both sunrise and sunset, reflecting dramatically on the water's surface, providing a different perspective than the viewpoints:
Information
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Why Famous:
Boating Hub of Saputara: It is famous for being the primary center for boating activities in the hill station, offering an enjoyable way to experience the scenery from the water. Paddle boats are especially popular among families and couples.
C...Boating Hub of Saputara: It is famous for being the primary center for boating activities in the hill station, offering an enjoyable way to experience the scenery from the water. Paddle boats are especially popular among families and couples.
Central Tourist Attraction: Its location in the heart of the town makes it the most accessible and central point of interest, attracting almost every visitor to Saputara. It's a natural gathering spot with all necessary amenities nearby.
Picturesque Picnic Spot: The lush surroundings, well-maintained gardens, and serene water surface make it an ideal picnic spot for a relaxing day out, especially favored by local tourists on weekends and holidays.
Reflecting Views: The lake's calm water surface offers stunning reflections of the sky and the surrounding hills, making it a favorite for photographers seeking to capture the area's natural beauty during the golden hours of the day. -
Architecture:
Natural Integration Design: As a man-made structure, the lake's architecture is primarily defined by its embankment and the deliberate landscaping of its perimeter. The primary dimension is its expansive surface area, designed to hold a significant volume of water for recre...Natural Integration Design: As a man-made structure, the lake's architecture is primarily defined by its embankment and the deliberate landscaping of its perimeter. The primary dimension is its expansive surface area, designed to hold a significant volume of water for recreational use, though exact figures vary. The architectural focus is on creating a smooth, accessible shoreline and integrating it with the surrounding natural slopes.
Boat Club Structure: The operational architecture includes the Boat Club building, typically a simple, functional structure built on the bank to manage the boat services. It features ticket counters, waiting areas, and jetties for easy boarding of different boat types like paddle boats, rowboats, and sailboats.
Walkways and Gardens: The periphery features concrete and paved walkways and steps leading down to the water, designed for visitor safety and convenience. The adjacent Lake Garden uses a landscape architecture approach with well-defined flowerbeds, grassy lawns, and resting benches, often featuring wooden or stone gazebos and simple bridges to enhance the aesthetic appeal and provide comfortable seating areas for visitors, blending utility with natural aesthetics, and often using local stone for pathways: -
How To Reach:
By Air: The nearest major airport is Surat International Airport (S), approximately 164 KM away, followed by Nashik's Ozar Airport (N) at about 140 KM. From the airport, one must hire a private cab or take an airport shuttle to the nearest major city and then a bus or cab t...By Air: The nearest major airport is Surat International Airport (S), approximately 164 KM away, followed by Nashik's Ozar Airport (N) at about 140 KM. From the airport, one must hire a private cab or take an airport shuttle to the nearest major city and then a bus or cab to Saputara. Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (M) is a viable option at about 260 KM.
By Train: The nearest railhead is Waghai (W) (Narrow Gauge), about 51 KM away. The more convenient major railway station is Bilimora Junction (B) (111 KM), which connects to major cities like Mumbai and Surat. From there, frequent state transport buses and private taxis are available directly to Saputara.
By Road: Saputara is well-connected by state and national highways. State Transport buses (GSRTC) run regularly from cities like Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Mumbai. Private buses and taxis are also abundant. The road journey, especially from Gujarat or Maharashtra, is scenic and comfortable. Self-driving is highly recommended for flexibility.
By Local Transport: Within Saputara, the lake is easily reachable on foot from most central hotels. Auto-rickshaws and local taxis are available for short distances and from the bus station: -
Weather and Best Time to Visit:
Seasons - Monsoon (July-September): Best Time for lush greenery, waterfalls, and a mystical, foggy atmosphere. The lake area is exceptionally beautiful.
Winter (October-February): Excellent Time for pleasant, cool weather perfect for outdoo...Seasons - Monsoon (July-September): Best Time for lush greenery, waterfalls, and a mystical, foggy atmosphere. The lake area is exceptionally beautiful.
Winter (October-February): Excellent Time for pleasant, cool weather perfect for outdoor activities like boating and walking around the lake.
Summer (March-June): Avoid Midday, as it can be hot; visit only during the early morning and late evening for the best experience. Parts of the Day - Late Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM) Highly Recommended for enjoying a boat ride and a relaxing stroll as the sun starts to set and the temperature drops.
Early Morning (Sunrise): Highly Recommended for peace, quiet, and stunning reflections in the water, a time favored by nature lovers and photographers: -
Near Tourist Places:
Hatgadh Fort (5 KM), Governor's Hill/Table Land (1 KM), Rose Garden (1 KM), Nageshwar Mahadev Temple (0. 5 KM), Saputara Tribal Museum (1 KM), Artist Village (2 KM), Sunrise Point (1. 5 KM), Sunset Point (2 KM), Gira Falls (50 KM), Vansda National Park (40 KM)
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety: The lake water is not for swimming; adhere strictly to the boat club's life jacket and safety guidelines while boating. Be cautious of mosquitoes in the evenings and carry repellent.
Packing: Carry comfortable walking shoe...Health & Safety: The lake water is not for swimming; adhere strictly to the boat club's life jacket and safety guidelines while boating. Be cautious of mosquitoes in the evenings and carry repellent.
Packing: Carry comfortable walking shoes for the lakeside path. A light jacket is advisable in the early morning and late evening, especially during winter. Don't forget your camera for the scenic views.
Accommodation: Book hotels or resorts near the lake well in advance, especially during the Monsoon Festival or peak weekends, as this central area is the most sought-after location.
Boating Etiquette: Follow all instructions from the boat operators. Do not feed the fish or throw garbage into the water to maintain its cleanliness.
Currency/Payments: Local vendors near the lake primarily accept cash, so ensure you have enough small denominations for snacks and small purchases, though major hotels accept digital payments:
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Artist Village
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Gira Waterfalls
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Governor's Hill
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Honey Bee Centre
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Lake Garden
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Nageshwar Mahadev Temple
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Pandava Gufa
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Rose Garden
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Saputara Lake
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Saputara Ropeway
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Saputara Tribal Museum
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Step Garden
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Sunrise Point
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Sunset Point
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Vansda National Park
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Waghai Botanical Garden
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