Bhojtal Lake

Bhojtal, commonly called the Upper Lake, is a large historic artificial lake in the city of Bhopal, India, created as a reservoir and named after the 11th-century ruler Raja Bhoj. It forms the core of Bhopal’s lake system and is an important urban waterbody.

The lake and its shoreline provide opportunities for boating, birdwatching and waterfront walks; the urban setting means visitor facilities and promenades are concentrated in developed areas. The lake supports seasonal and resident waterbirds and is a familiar recreational spot for the city.

The reservoir is traditionally attributed to Raja Bhoj and has been extended and managed over centuries as a source of water for the settlement that became Bhopal. The adjacent Lower Lake and surrounding wetland have since been incorporated into a wider urban wetland system.

Bhojtal occupies a central-west position within the modern city of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, forming a large waterbody around which the city has grown.

• Origin: Originally formed as a man-made reservoir attributed to the 11th-century ruler Raja Bhoj; it remains a central urban waterbody and recreational area in Bhopal.

What to See#

• Upper Lake (Bhojtal): The Upper Lake is the historic reservoir created to supply water and now a major urban lake used for recreation and wildlife viewing.
• Lower Lake (Chhota Talao): The smaller Lower Lake (Chhota Talao) lies adjacent and forms part of the same urban wetland system, together supporting local biodiversity and recreation.

Bhojtal (Upper Lake) is in central Bhopal. From Bhopal Junction railway station the lake shoreline is a short drive (around 10-15 minutes by taxi or auto‑rickshaw) or a 20-40 minute walk depending on your exact start point; city buses and auto‑rickshaws serve the lakeside roads and there are multiple parking spots along the promenade for private vehicles.

• Schedule your visit to Bhojtal for early morning or late afternoon to catch calm water for photos and to see local birdlife when it's most active.
• Use the official boating/boat‑club pontoons rather than informal launch points: organised boat services operate from established jetties and are the most reliable way to explore the lake safely.
• Combine a lake visit with nearby Van Vihar or the city's viewpoints-there are several accessible spots around the lake edge that give different perspectives of the water and surrounding cityscape.