Lakes of India are not only significant geographically but also are major tourist attractions. India is interspersed with water bodies, such as, rivers, lakes, ponds and others. As far as the lakes of India are concerned there are both natural and man made lakes to be found across the subcontinent. The location of the various lakes in India is an added attraction for the travellers. It is difficult to trace the history of the natural lakes of India. But the manmade ones have a historical background since most of these were built by kings and emperors as reservoirs. The lakes of India are generally categorised as fresh water and brackish lakes. Amazingly enough these water bodies differ form one region to another. Like for instance, the lakes in the Himalayan region will differ from the lakes in the Southern peninsula. As a result a regional survey of the lakes of India is easier than that of a historical evolution.

Significance of Lakes of India
Religion in India is an indispensable aspect. Similarly the lakes in India are considered religiously significant. The various popular lakes of India include names like Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan, Gurudongmar Lake in Sikkim, Nako Lake, Bhrigu Lake, Chilka Lake, Dal Lake and others. Most of the lakes in India are renowned for their religious importance. Peaceful, and calm these lakes attract the hearts of millions of visitors. The striking beauty of lakes of India, like Vembanad Lake (Kerala), Bhimtal Lake (Uttarakhand), etc has made them favourite haunts for the tourists. The lakes of Rajasthan add vitality to the colossal forts and palaces. Many of these, such as the Fateh Sagar in Udaipur, are man made ones.

India is an agro based country and the water bodies here are utilised for irrigation. The lakes of India are one of the primary sources for this water supply. Such water bodies are spread across India. While in North India the sates of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and others are popular for lakes; in South India it is Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and others. For the management of lakes of India, a number of measures have been adopted by the Government of India. Several reinstatement activities for the lakes of India have been undertaken to prevent their degradation. The lakes of India are also active in encouraging tourism in the country. Several gardens and Indian wildlife sanctuaries owe their magnificence to the lakes. Moreover, the lakes of India are the water sources for the wild species that inhabit in the national parks. The lakes of the country also offer several recreational activities like angling, boating, fishing to the tourists. Interestingly, water bodies like the Chilka Lake or the Dal Lake freezes totally during the winter season and it is extremely impossible not to appreciate their beauty.