Hamirsar Lake, Bhuj, Gujarat

Named after the ruler of Jadeja Rao Hamir, this man-made lake lies in the central area of Bhuj. With almost all the important sight seeing destinations of Bhuj located to its eastern part, walking through the boundary of this 450-year-old lake could be fun. Present in the center of the water body is a colorful garden, which makes it look all the more attractive.

In Gujarat’s Kutch district, a 500-year-old Hamirsar lake of capital town Bhuj is so important for locals that, they celebrate whenever this lake overflows during monsoon. The people of Bhuj town observe one-day holiday after Hamirsar lake overflows.

Hamirsar Lake is a large man made lake situated in heart of Bhuj town, the District headquarters of Kutch, Gujarat, India.It is a 450 year old lake named after Jadeja ruler Rao Hamir (1525-1537), the founder of Bhuj.The lake was built during the reign of Rao Khengarji I (1548–1585), the founder of Jadeja dynasty in Cutch, who named it after his father Rao Hamir. Rao Khengarji I chose this place as an oasis in saline and arid Kutch; and over several decades, developed canals and tunnels to bring together water from three river systems and recharge acquifier, to fulfill the needs of Bhuj, which was also declared as capital of his kingdom by him in 1549.

The lake is spread over an area of 28 acres and have a beautiful mid-lake garden just like Kankaria Lake of Ahmedabad.Hamirsar Lake is where people go to swim, or sit under a tree and enjoy the water besides walking along the edge of the lake one can see Aina Mahal, Prag Mahal, Kutch Museum, Alfred High School and many temples, which are located on eastern edge of the lake.The embankment of Lake Hamrisar was made during reign of Pragmalji II and further improvements done during early part of reign of Khengarji.

Even before the earthquake of 2001 in Kutch, Hamirsar had lost much of its catchments, and ability to energize the acquifiers of Bhuj.The lake became safe and sound before the monsoons of 2003 to impound water. Highest rainfall (22 inches) in the last 50 yrs of span was recorded in 2003 which overflowed the Hamirsar lake making it an occasion to celebrate.

There is a tradition from the days when Kutch was a princely state and the puja was performed by the royalty, whenever lake overflowed due to rains and a prasad of ladoos called megh laddoos distributed to citizens. Recently, in August, 2010, this historic tradition was once again en lived even though days of royalty have long gone, when the Bhuj municipal president held thanksgiving ceremony in the form of the traditional puja of the lake and offer megh laddoos to its residents at a community dinner. Records indicate that is only 18 times since independence that lake has overflowed.The news of overflowing of Hamirsar Lake, spread like a wildfire and people from city and around thronged to a view and festivities were held in Kutch.