Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan

Sambhar Lake: Sambhar Salt Lake, India's largest inland salt lake,a bowl shape lake encircles historical Sambhar Lake Town located 96 km south west of the city of Jaipur (Northwest India) and 64 km north east of Ajmer along National Highway 8 in Rajasthan. At Sambhar, folklore and history coalesce and legends abound around its presence here. According to one version, some 2,500 years ago, the Goddess Shakumbhari bequeathed the lake to the people of the area. In her veneration, a sparkling whitewashed temple stands on a rocky hillock jutting out of the lake bed. A reference in the epic Mahabharata explicates the marriage of Raja Yayati with Devyani, daughter of Shukarcharya (the guru of demons) who lived beside the lake. A temple and a tank near Salt Lake city honour Devyani even today.

Sambhar Wildlife Sanctuary: The Sambhar wildlife sanctuary is spread across 24,000 hectares and is among the finest wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan. This wildlife sanctuary is ideal for sighting avian species and is a bird paradise. Popular species of birds that are sighted at the sanctuary are coots, black-winged stilts and redshanks. The Sambhar Tiger Sanctuary is also a popular destination for those wanting to see the majestic Tigers.