Situated in the town of Amber (Amer) in the outskirts of Jaipur in Rajasthan, Maota Lake was the main water source for the formidable Amber Fort (Amer Fort) back in its heyday. At the center of the lake is an island covered with lush gardens—including a saffron garden—planted by a 15th-century maharaja, Kesar Kyari Bagh.
Maota Lake played an integral role in the development of Amber, acting as a primary source of water for Amber Fort and for the common people of the desert community, filling with rainwater from nearby hills during the monsoon. These days its role is more ornamental, though it is still used during the annual Ganesh Chaturthi processions, during which an idol of the elephant-headed deity Ganesh is submerged in the lake’s waters.
Most tours of Jaipur and the Golden Triangle visit Amber Fort, and many stop at the lake for photos before heading up to explore the fort.
Swimming and bathing are not allowed in the lake.
Wear lots of sunscreen and a sun hat.
You can get great photos of the lake from the interior of Amber Fort just above it.
Maota Lake is located at the base of Amber Fort, west of Jaigarh Fort and approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Jaipur’s Pink City and the City Palace—about a 20-minute drive. Nearly all visitors come here as part of an excursion to Amber Fort or a larger Jaipur sightseeing tour.
You can visit the lake throughout the year, though Jaipur and Amber get very hot during the months of April through June. As such, the lake and its surrounding attractions are best visited early in the day, before it get too balmy, especially if you’re visiting in the warmer season.
Although Jaipur is now the capital of Rajasthan, the town of Amber was originally a stronghold of power and the ruling seat of Maharaja Man Singh. While the main attraction here is the Amber Fort, the area is home to a number of historic attractions, including the Jaigarh Fort, the Anokhi Museum, and, of course, Maota Lake.