Kolkata city has a number of small and large lakes spread over its frontiers. Many of these lakes are derived from the river Hooghly that eventually terminates in the Bay of Bengal. The lakes of Kolkata constitute some of the best picnic spots in the city. The visitors can be seen indulging in a number of activities at these lakes like angling, swimming and boat rowing.

Rabindra Sarobar Lake is one of the best lake bodies in the city of Kolkata. The site witnesses a flush of the people, people who come for the tranquility of it. Early joggers energize themselves with the fresh air, senior citizens come for the solitude, young people take it as a dating place and kids to make a dive. The lake is a recombinant of two lakes. Likewise there is Nalban Lake in the Salt Lake City area. Spread over 400 acres, the fresh water lake reflects the beauty of the natural ambience around. The lake has a number of facilities for rowing and other activities. The newly installed hovercraft facility has given the tourism around a real fillip. Besides these lakes there are many smaller ones, especially in swampy regions.

Rabindra Sarovar or Dhakuria Lake

Fact File
» Covered area : 76 hector
» Amount granted: Rs. Four Crores by Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India.
Location
Rabindra Sarovar Lake, an artificial lake is located in Ballygunge, South Kolkata on Southern Avenue.

About Rabindra Sarovar Lake
Rabindra Sarobar, a central lake with overhanging tree, offering pleasant walks and visual delight.

Rabindra Sarobar, originally known as Dhakuria Lake, is covered an area of 76 hector. This large manmade lake with parks, gardens and walking alleys has been still one of the few places in Kolkata where one can relax. Recently this lake has been acknowledged as an important waterbody by Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India, It has granted Rupees four crores in first phase for improvement of this lake. More funds will come in the second phase.

One most important thing about this lake is that a lot of people bathe in this lake mostly on the eastern end, leading to a gradual erosion of the banks. There is a tiny island at the south of the lake. Shoal of fishes swim in the pellucid water but fishing is strictly prohibited here.

It is linked with the mainland via a wooden bridge.

Within the lake
The Rowing Club, Swimming Club, Children's park and an open air theatre Mukta Manch, you can explore all these within the lake. A five minutes walk from here will lead one to the 'Ramakrishna Mission' at Golpark.

Other nearby attraction of Rabindra Sarobar
From Rabindra Sarobar, you can visit its nearby tourists spot such as Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Ramkrishana Mission Institute of Culture, Sarobar Stadium, Lake Market and Japanese Buddhist Temple.