Ana Sagar Lake

Ana Sagar Lake is at the heart of Ajmer, as the city surrounds this lake. It is an artificial lake that was excavated in early 12th century AD by putting a dam on the Luni River, more or less around the time the city of Ajaymeru or Ajmer was built. Anaji Chauhan, the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, built what continues to be the biggest lake in Ajmer, and the lake rightly carries his name. Surrounded by grey hills, it provides a lovely backdrop to the city of Ajmer. On its south-eastern embankment, there are white marble pavilions with some lovely niches called Ana Sagar Baradari—a typical Mughal structure that you see around water bodies and in the gardens. In fact these pavilions were a part of a pleasure garden called Daulat Bagh that was built by Jahangir and Shah Jahan. During the days of the British, these pavilions served as office buildings but have now been restored as pavilions. You can go boating in Ana Sagar Lake or just sit by the lake and admire the surroundings.