Malav Lake

Malav Lake, also known as Malav Talav, is a historic artificial lake located in Dholka town in Ahmedabad district, Gujarat. Constructed in the 11th century by Queen Minaldevi, mother of Chaulukya ruler Siddharaja Jayasimha, it is one of the largest ancient lakes in the region. The lake features stone steps, inlet channels and surrounding ghats, and remains a notable heritage water body and local recreation spot near Ahmedabad.

Visitors can expect a large historic rectangular lake with stone-lined embankments, stepped ghats and wide open water surrounded by the town of Dholka. The setting is flat and semi-urban with walkways along the banks, views of the water and migratory birds in winter. Visitors can walk along the periphery, sit on the ghats, photograph the lake and observe local daily life around the water body.

Malav Lake was constructed in the 11th century (circa 1090 CE) by Queen Minaldevi, wife of Chaulukya king Karna and mother of Siddharaja Jayasimha. Built as a large reservoir to provide water for the town, it exemplifies Chaulukya-era water architecture with masonry embankments, sluices and ghats and is considered one of the historic lakes of Gujarat.

The lake has long served as a central water source and community gathering place for Dholka. It is associated with local heritage and traditional water conservation practices and remains a cultural landmark for residents, used for leisure, festivals and daily social activity around its ghats.