Quick answer: Fateh Sagar Lake is Udaipur’s second big lake, about 3 km north of the old city, rebuilt by Maharana Fateh Singh in 1888. Entry to the lakeside is free. Boats run to Nehru Garden island from roughly 8 AM to late afternoon, at about ₹80–250 per person depending on the boat. Go in the evening, when the lakeside promenade comes alive.
If Lake Pichola is where Udaipur shows off, Fateh Sagar is where Udaipur relaxes. Families with corn on the cob. College students on scooters. Couples on the stone wall watching the sun go down behind the Aravallis. Very few tour groups. It’s the hour of your trip that feels most like living here.
Fateh Sagar Lake at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | North Udaipur, ~3 km from the City Palace |
| Built / rebuilt | 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh; rebuilt 1888 by Maharana Fateh Singh |
| Size | Roughly 2.4 km long and 1.6 km wide |
| Entry | Free |
| Lakeside access | All day; busiest 5–9 PM |
| Boating | Approx. 8 AM – 4:30 PM (varies by season) |
| Boat prices | Approx. ₹80–100 regular, ₹150–200 motor boat, ₹200–250 speed boat |
| Time needed | 1–2 hours |
Boat prices and timings are set by the operators and change. Check at the boating counter.
A Short History
Maharana Jai Singh first built a lake here in 1678. Two centuries later, heavy rains broke its earthen dam. Maharana Fateh Singh rebuilt it in 1888 with a stone dam and enlarged it, and the lake took his name.
The new dam was dedicated to the Duke of Connaught, Queen Victoria’s son, who visited around that time. You’ll still see it called Connaught Bandh.
Fateh Sagar is linked to Lake Pichola through Swaroop Sagar, part of a chain of lakes the Mewar rulers built to keep Udaipur supplied with water in a dry region.
Boating on Fateh Sagar Lake
Boats leave from the jetty on the eastern side, near the main promenade. You’ll usually have a choice of:
- Regular boats: slower, shared rides with a stop at Nehru Garden. The cheapest option.
- Motor boats: faster loops of the lake.
- Speed boats: a short, quick thrill ride. Popular with teenagers.
Rides last 15–30 minutes depending on the boat. The views back towards the Aravallis and Moti Magri are best in the late afternoon light.
Nehru Garden is the largest of the three islands, with lawns, a fountain and a small café. You can get off here and catch a later boat back. The smallest island holds the Udaipur Solar Observatory, a working research facility that isn’t open to visitors, though you’ll pass close by.
The Evening Promenade
This is the real reason to come.
From around 5 PM, the road along the lake fills up. Stalls sell roasted corn, coconut water, kulfi and chaat. People sit on the wall in long rows. The sun sets behind the hills on the far side of the lake, and the water turns orange, then pink, then dark.
It’s free, it’s local, and it’s one of the best ways to spend an evening in Udaipur. Weekends are busiest; weekday evenings are calmer.
What to eat on the promenade
The stalls along the lake road are half the fun. Look for roasted bhutta (corn on the cob rubbed with lemon, salt and chilli), fresh coconut water, kulfi on a stick, pav bhaji and the local favourite, dabeli. Most stalls are busy with locals, which is a good sign. If you’re cautious with street food, stick to things cooked hot in front of you.
A simple evening at Fateh Sagar
- 4:00 PM: Saheliyon ki Bari, while the fountains are running.
- 4:45 PM: Moti Magri for the lake view from above.
- 5:30 PM: A short boat ride to Nehru Garden, if boats are still running.
- 6:00 PM onwards: The promenade for sunset, corn and chai.
Things to Do Around Fateh Sagar
Moti Magri (Maharana Pratap Memorial)
A small hill on the lake’s eastern edge with a bronze statue of Maharana Pratap on his horse Chetak, gardens and views over the lake. It takes 30–45 minutes, with a gentle climb. If you’ve visited or plan to visit Haldighati, this completes the story; see our Haldighati guide.
Saheliyon ki Bari
The 18th-century “Garden of the Maidens”, about 1 km away, with fountains fed by water from Fateh Sagar itself. It pairs perfectly with the lake: garden in the morning or late afternoon, lake at sunset.
Cycling and scooter rides
The flat road around the lake is good for a slow ride. Many visitors hire a scooter for the day and stop at the lake on the way to Sajjangarh. See our bike rental in Udaipur page for two-wheelers.
Best Time to Visit Fateh Sagar Lake
- Time of day: late afternoon to sunset (roughly 4–7 PM).
- Season: October to March for pleasant weather. July to September after a good monsoon, when the lake is full and sometimes overflows the dam, drawing crowds to watch.
- Avoid: midday in summer, when the lakeside is hot and empty.
Fateh Sagar in the Monsoon
In a good monsoon, Fateh Sagar fills up and the water spills over the dam. When that happens, locals come out in big numbers to watch, and it makes the local news. The hills turn green, the air cools and the lake looks its best.
The flip side: boating may be suspended in heavy rain or strong wind, and the promenade can be slippery. If you’re visiting between July and September, keep the evening flexible and check the weather.
Is Fateh Sagar Safe in the Evening?
Yes. The promenade is busy and well lit until late, and families stay out well after dark. As anywhere crowded, keep an eye on phones and bags. Solo travellers will find it one of the most relaxed places in Udaipur to spend an evening.
Fateh Sagar or Lake Pichola?
They’re different, and most visitors do both.
| Fateh Sagar | Lake Pichola | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Local, relaxed, promenade | Royal, palaces, postcard views |
| Boat ride | Short, cheap, Nehru Garden | Longer, pricier, Jag Mandir |
| Best time | Evening on the promenade | Sunset on the water |
| Crowds | Locals and families | Tourists |
If you only have one evening, take the Pichola sunset boat. With two, spend one on Fateh Sagar’s promenade.
How to Get There
Fateh Sagar is about 10–15 minutes by car or auto from the old city. Parking is available along the lake road but gets busy at weekends. Most of our guests visit it on a city sightseeing day, after Saheliyon ki Bari and before sunset at Sajjangarh.
Our Udaipur sightseeing day tour includes Fateh Sagar, and our Udaipur tour packages give it its own evening on longer stays.
Call or WhatsApp +91-8619315547, or book a taxi in Udaipur.
Planning more of Rajasthan? Browse all our guides on the Rajasthan Travel Blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there an entry fee for Fateh Sagar Lake?
No. The lake and its promenade are free to visit. Boat rides and some nearby attractions, like Moti Magri and Saheliyon ki Bari, have their own tickets.
2. What are the boating charges at Fateh Sagar Lake?
Recent prices are roughly ₹80–100 per person for a regular boat, ₹150–200 for a motor boat and ₹200–250 for a speed boat. Prices change, so confirm at the counter.
3. What are the timings of Fateh Sagar Lake?
The lakeside is open all day and is busiest from about 5 to 9 PM. Boating generally runs from around 8 AM to late afternoon, depending on the season.
4. Who built Fateh Sagar Lake?
Maharana Jai Singh built the original lake in 1678. After floods destroyed the dam, Maharana Fateh Singh rebuilt and enlarged it in 1888, and the lake is named after him.
5. What is on the islands in Fateh Sagar Lake?
Nehru Garden, the largest island, has lawns, a fountain and a café. Another island has a fountain park, and the smallest holds the Udaipur Solar Observatory, which isn’t open to visitors.
6. Can you go to Nehru Garden by boat?
Yes. Regular boats from the main jetty stop at Nehru Garden, and you can explore the island before returning on a later boat.
7. What is the best time to visit Fateh Sagar Lake?
Late afternoon to sunset is best, especially from October to March. The evening promenade, with food stalls and sunset views, is the highlight.
8. How far is Fateh Sagar Lake from Lake Pichola?
About 3 km. The two lakes are connected through Swaroop Sagar, and the drive between them takes around 10 minutes.
9. What is near Fateh Sagar Lake?
Moti Magri (the Maharana Pratap Memorial) is right next to it, Saheliyon ki Bari is about 1 km away, and Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace is around 5 km away.
10. Is Fateh Sagar Lake good for families?
Yes. The boat rides are short, the promenade has plenty of snacks, and Nehru Garden and Moti Magri give children space to walk around.