SAMBHAR FESTIVAL

A tryst with flamingoes, history and legends 

Looking to brighten your winter days in the company of flamingoes? Not everyone knows that Rajasthan has another hidden gem where you can do just that. Nearer home to Jaipur lies a particularly unique landscape, which needs exploring because this is where you can take your heart’s fill of these elegant avifaunal creatures.

You’ve heard of the salt marshlands of the White Rann of Kutch in Gujarat and its growing number of migratory flamingoes, right? Now learn all about this otherworldly treasure trove of the Sambhar Salt Lake of Rajasthan which plays host to the annual migratory salmon-hued flamingoes.

At first, it was only the locals who knew about these foreign visitors, but there’s an adventure-loving throng of tourists who’ve discovered this unusual spot and some even make it a regular on their winter itineraries.

Just 80km/2hrs away from Jaipur city the Sambar Salt Lake is readying for its annual festival which promises to be a thrilling affair, with flamingo-spotting tours, ATV rides, a toy train tour of the salt pans, star gazing, and lots more.

The 3-day Sambar Festival, 26-28 January 2024, is a fabulous opportunity to explore this unique destination in India. What adds to its allure is that it’s in striking distance from Jaipur and Udaipur, two very popular tourist hubs in the state.  The Tourism Department has pulled together a cavalcade of eco-friendly activities for people to enjoy this extraordinary setting of salt pans, shallow water bodies, and semi-arid scrubland.

Lake Story

Sambhar Lake is India’s largest shallow saline wetland, and more importantly, it’s quite a unique internationally-acclaimed inland Ramsar Wetland Site. When you come visiting, apart from the Greater and Lesser flamingos you’ll find other migratory water birds from the East Asian, Central Asian, and East African flyways.

Spread over 90 sq km, the lake, which lies east of the Thar Desert, falls in the ambit of three districts— Jaipur, Ajmer, and Nagaur. The lake basin is split into two uneven parts by a 5.16 km long dam running between the settlements of Jhapok to the south and Gudha to the north. To the west like an unbroken sheet of water; in the east is where the salt mining is carried out. A network of canals and salt pans riddle the area pierced by two massive reservoirs which hold the brine, which will be later processed close to a set up near the Circuit House.

Looking out at the landscape you should remember that the white areas are rich with salt content; the grey has less salt, and the brown has no salt content at all. The rains which run from July to September keep the lake filled up even through the winter months; it runs dry in the blistering summer months.

UNMISSABLE SITES

Shakambhri Devi Temple
Standing by the shoreline it is dedicated to the tutelary deity of the Chauhan Rajputs, who once ruled this land as far back as the 6th century.

Sambhar- the town
Steeped in history and heritage the tiny salt mining town even finds mention in the Mahabharata. Devyani, daughter of the sage Shukracharya who lived by the lake, is said to have married Raja Yayati. 

The salt mines have been in business for centuries as culled from their hold by the Sindhis, Rajputs, Marathas, and Mughals. It was jointly held by the Kachwaha Rajput rulers of Jaipur and Rathore rulers of Marwar (Jodhpur) whose armies together defeated the Mughal governor in 1709 and took control of the salt trade. For the British too it was a prized acquisition in 1870   when it was leased to them by the duo. In 1949 Rajasthan state government took over the production of salt at Sambhar Lake.

It might interest you to note that Emperor Akbar tied his nuptials with Jodha Bai, daughter of Kachwaha Rajput Raja Bihari Mal of Amber (Jaipur) here at Sambhar on 6^th February 1562. However, it’s interesting to learn that Jodha’s name remains controversial as there is the claim that she was known as Harkha Bai or Mariam-uz-Zamani.

Devyani Temple
The ghats of the holy Devyani Kund are abustle here with devotees and visitors who also explore the other shrines nestling around the kund in the temple complex here. An important shrine here is the Baba Jageshwar Temple dedicated to Shiva.  You may like to attend the evening aarti at this revered spot. Deep veneration is accorded to the entire site which is also known as ‘Chotta Pushkar’.

Naliasar
This is an important archaeological site. Digs here have yielded terracotta statues and stoneware, now on display at Jaipur’s Albert Hall Museum.

Bollywood Dreams
The site has been a popular filming spot. Look for vignettes of this landscape in Hindi films like Ramleela, Highway, Kai Po Che, PK, Super 30 and a couple more.

ACCOMMODATION

Heritage hotels, other hotels, and camping sites in the area can be booked directly for stay and meals.

Sambhar Heritage Resort set in an 18th-century bungalow has suites and pitched Swiss tents, perfect for a lovely glamping experience

ACCESS

Air: The nearest airport is Jaipur Airport. Hire a private taxi for your onward journey to Sambhar.
Rail: Sambhar Salt Lake Railway Station is connected by shuttle to Jaipur.
Road: Sambhar is easily accessible by road from Jaipur and Udaipur. From Jaipur follow the old NH-8 then break away from the Delhi-Ajmer highway near Bichoon for Sambhar.