Lower Lake

Lower Lake, also known as Chhota Talab, is an artificial urban lake in central Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, forming part of the Bhoj Wetland alongside the larger Upper Lake. Constructed in 1794, it is separated from the Upper Lake by an overbridge called Pul Pukhta. The lake is notable for its scenic urban setting, boating facilities, and integration with Kamla Park, serving as a popular recreational and sightseeing destination in the heart of the city.

Visitors can expect a calm urban lake surrounded by the old city area of Bhopal on one side and Kamla Park on the other. The lake offers a paved promenade and viewing points, paddle and motor boating facilities, and views of the Pul Pukhta bridge that separates it from the Upper Lake. The setting is used for leisurely walks, photography, birdwatching and evening sightseeing with city reflections on the water.

Lower Lake was constructed in 1794 by Chhote Khan, a minister of Nawab Hayat Muhammad Khan of Bhopal, to enhance the beauty of the city and manage water resources. Together with the 11th-century Upper Lake built by Raja Bhoj, it forms the Bhoj Wetland, which was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002 for its ecological and historical importance.

Lower Lake is an integral part of Bhopal's identity as the 'City of Lakes'. It holds recreational and cultural value for residents, forms part of the Bhoj Wetland ecosystem, and is a central leisure space adjoining Kamla Park and the old city heritage area.