About Nakki Lake
Nakki Lake is a man-made lake in the hill station of Mount Abu, in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan, set amid the Aravalli hills at around 1,200 metres (roughly 4,000 feet) above sea level. It is the town's central attraction: climb the winding road into Mount Abu and everything opens up around this single sheet of still water and green hills. After days of desert forts and long, dusty highways, it feels like a different Rajasthan: cooler, greener and in no hurry at all.
Quick answer: Nakki Lake is a man-made lake at the centre of Mount Abu, about 1,200 m (4,000 ft) up in the Aravalli hills. It's open from 9:30 am to 6 pm, entry is free, and a 30-minute boat ride costs ₹100 per person. Plan about an hour, ideally in the morning, when the water is calmest.
- Type
- Man-made lake, considered sacred
- Location
- Centre of Mount Abu, Sirohi district, Rajasthan
- Altitude
- About 1,200 m (roughly 4,000 ft)
- Size
- Roughly 800 m by 400 m (½ × ¼ mile)
- Depth
- Around 20–30 ft
- Entry fee
- Free
- Timings
- 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, every day
- Boating
- ₹100 per person for 30 minutes · pedal and shikara boats
- Best time
- Morning, before about 11 am
- Time to spend
- About 1 hour · up to 2 with boating
- Famous for
- Toad Rock, Gandhi Ghat and the legend of Rasiya Balam
- Nearest sight
- Dilwara Temples, about 3 km (10 min by car)
This isn't a place for sightseeing at speed; it slows the whole morning down. Travellers come to Nakki Lake for its peace: a slow walk or jog along the lakeside promenade, half an hour on the water, and the hills turning gold in the late light. It's the natural first stop in Mount Abu and the starting point for the town's viewpoints.
Nakki Lake History & Legends
Few lakes in India come with a better origin story. Local belief holds that Nakki Lake wasn't formed by nature at all, and two legends explain how it came to be.
Dug by the gods' fingernails
The best-known story says the gods dug the lake with their own fingernails to protect themselves from a demon named Bashkali. That's where the name comes from: nakh is the Hindi word for fingernail.
Rasiya Balam and Kunwari Kanya
A second story tells of a local king who promised his daughter, Kunwari Kanya, to any man who could dig a lake in a single night. Rasiya Balam, who loved her, finished the task, but the queen refused to let them marry. Local tradition holds that the two were incarnations of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. A small temple dedicated to them stands behind the Dilwara Jain temples.
A living, sacred lake. The Garasia tribe of the region consider Nakki Lake sacred. Every April, during Shukla Paksha, they gather on its banks to worship and pay tribute to their ancestors.
The lake's history is more recent, too. On its shore stands Gandhi Ghat, where part of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in February 1948. It's a simple, calm spot, and worth a moment's pause on your walk around the water.
Things to Do at Nakki Lake
Go boating
The highlight of any visit. Choose a pedal boat or a shikara-style boat with seats for 2, 3 or 4, and spend half an hour drifting across the lake with the hills all around.
Walk the promenade
A gentle lakeside stroll with benches along the water. Mornings are especially lovely, when the surface is still and the air is cool.
Climb to Toad Rock
The rock above the lake is shaped like a giant toad about to leap into the water. A stepped path and the rocky hillside lead up to it: a short but uneven climb, so wear good shoes.
Visit Gandhi Ghat
A quiet ghat on the lakeshore, connected to one of the most important moments in modern Indian history.
Try the lakeside extras
Horse rides and aqua zorbing (rolling across the water inside a giant inflatable ball) are on offer, and food stalls and snack shops line the lake.
Drive to Sunset Point
Mount Abu's best-known evening view. Go by car with your driver rather than on forest footpaths.
Is Nakki Lake Worth Visiting? Our Driver's Honest Take
Our drivers have brought guests to Mount Abu many times. Here's their honest advice, the kind you won't find in a brochure:
The lake itself is a beauty, especially in the morning. Come early, before 11 am, when it's calm and quiet. And you must go boating. It's an amazing experience, and it's very good value.
Be realistic about the rest, though. Apart from the lake, there isn't much to do right around it. The small park next to the lake is dull, the road alongside has little to offer, and there's almost no nightlife. In the evening, most people just sit on the benches by the water. If you want a lively night out, this isn't the place. If you want peace, it's perfect.
India Tourist Driver chauffeur
Worth it for
- Morning walks by the water
- A 30-minute boat ride
- Toad Rock and Gandhi Ghat
- Peace and cool hill air
Don't expect
- Much to do beyond the lake itself
- An interesting park or roadside
- Nightlife or evening entertainment
Nakki Lake Timings, Entry Fee & Boating
| Entry fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Timings | 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, every day |
| Boating hours | 9:30 am – 6:00 pm · rides last 30 minutes |
| Boating price | ₹100 per person (standard ride) · roughly ₹50–₹100 depending on boat |
| Boat types | Pedal boats and shikara-style boats · 2, 3 or 4 seats |
| Other activities | Horse rides, aqua zorbing, food stalls |
| Best time of day | Morning, before about 11 am |
| Time to spend | About 1 hour · up to 2 with boating or Toad Rock |
| What to wear | Comfortable shoes and a warm layer: the hill air is cool, especially in the evening |
Tip: Nakki Lake is the easiest place to start your Mount Abu day. Visit in the morning, then let your driver take you on to the Dilwara Temples and the viewpoints, ending at Sunset Point in the evening.
Stay on the marked paths. Mount Abu's forests are home to wildlife, including sloth bears and leopards, so some forest footpaths, including routes towards Sunset Point, are closed to visitors. Use the road and the main paths, and go by car with your driver.
Places to Visit Near Nakki Lake
Once you've seen the lake, these are our drivers' favourite stops in and around Mount Abu:
Dilwara Temples
Only about 3 km (10 minutes by car) from the lake: Mount Abu's famous Jain temples, known for their exquisitely carved white marble.
Honeymoon Point
A scenic viewpoint over the valleys and plains below, and one of the most popular places in Mount Abu to watch the evening light.
Champa Cave
A natural cave in the hills close to the lake, reached on foot. A short adventure, and a fun one with children.
Trevor's Tank
A quiet, forested reservoir on the edge of town, loved by birdwatchers and anyone looking for a calm break from the crowds.
How to Reach Nakki Lake, Mount Abu
Mount Abu is easiest to reach by road, and the drive up the hill is part of the experience. Nakki Lake sits right in the town centre; the Dilwara Temples are only about 10 minutes away by car. Most of our guests add Mount Abu to a longer Rajasthan journey, pairing it with Udaipur and the forts and palaces of the west. With your own private car and driver in Delhi, the car waits while you walk the lakeside, then takes you straight on to the Dilwara Temples, Honeymoon Point or Sunset Point, with no taxis to find and no timetables.
See all our Rajasthan tour packages, and tell us you'd like Mount Abu included. We'll fit it into the route. Just need the drive? Our taxi service in Delhi for outstation trips covers one-way and round journeys across Rajasthan.
