39. BHOJ TAAL, BHOPAL (MP), IINDIA

(This is second in the five blog series covering our Bhopal trip)

Bhoj Taal, the Pride of Bhopal

Bhopal the capital of Madhya Pradesh and erstwhile Malwa Region has the distinction of having seven lakes in the area but two of them are really large, locally known as the 'big lake' and the 'small lake'. 

The evening was free and we had a couple of hours at our disposal. So we decided to make the best of it by visiting the Big Lake, popularly known as the Bada Talao in Bhopal. We were told that a couple of years ago, it was rechristened by the State Govt. as Bhoj Taal after King Bhoj.

Different type of surroundings on different sides

Going by the folklore, Bhoj Taal is one of the largest man-made lakes in India. It is said that it was built by King Bhoj of Parmar dynasty who ruled this area then called Malwa, almost 1000 years ago, from 1005 to 1055 AD. It is believed that King Bhoj suffered from some skin ailment called Kushtha Rog (Leprosy) and was advised by his physicians to mix water from various sources before taking his bath. He, therefore, got this huge lake built where water from a number of rivers was aggregated. It is also believed that his skin disease got cured by bathing in this water. Later, the city of Bhojpal, now known as Bhopal, grew around it.

As we got down from the car, we heard an announcement soliciting tourists to come for a ride in the last cruise which was sailing off in another 10 minutes. We promptly bought the tickets of Rs 50 each and were comfortably seated on the upper deck which we preferred for a better view as compared to the lower deck which was enclosed with glass walls.

The friendly ducks

Before the cruise started, I noticed the ancient steam engine they have parked on the lake-front. I also noticed that the area was quite neat and clean unlike many other such places in India. There were lovely ducks going around fearlessly. 

Biodiversity Park ...the colours remind me of Fall in US

There are hills on one side to accommodate a bio-diversity park, giving shelter to a variety of birds which flock to this area and there is the city on the other side. Surrounded by hillocks, greenery and the city, the lake has extremely picturesque surroundings and is rightly termed as the Pride of Bhopal.

There is an island in the middle of the lake.
Don't miss the speedboat.

The cruise had started now and we were going around the lake spread over 31 square km. The loud peppy music was playing and the small kid sitting ahead of us was constantly tapping her feet. I prompted her and she started dancing to the beats constantly gazing at me for acknowledgement and approval. I had a great time connecting with her and admiring simultaneously the crystal clear water of the lake.

The setting sun, after losing its dazzle feels more friendly

The cruise lasted for an hour and we watched a beautiful sunset. The rays of the setting sun playing with the blue-green water of the lake made a heady cocktail and I am still high on it. Needless to add, we were the last ones to alight from the cruise.

The sun rays playing with the lake water made a heady cocktail.

*****