Sambhar Lake Town

Description

Sambhar is known for the Sambhar Salt Lake, which is the largest inland salt lake in India. It derives its name from Shakambhari Devi, Goddess of the Chauhan clan, whose 2500-year-old temple is located 28 km from the town.

The Indian epic Mahabharata and Puranas mentions Sambhar Lake as a part of the kingdom of the demon king Vrishparva, as the place where his priest Shukra Charya lived, and as the place where the wedding between his daughter, Devayani, and King Yayati took place. A temple near the lake is dedicated to Devayani with a pond in it.

Mariam-uz-Zamani, daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amber, was married to Akbar on February 6, 1562, at Sambhar.

Sambhar Lake has an archeological site at Naliasar lake dating 2000 BC. A small hamlet has been found while the excavation of the site, which gives an insight into the construction of homes, water well and food grain storage, various coins of different dynasties. A lot is still buried below the sand dunes. Devyani Sarovar and surrounding temples are other places adjoining Sambhar Lake of Indian mythological connection.

Sambhar was the capital of the Chahamanas of Shakambhari before the 12th century.

In 2014, six PSUs including Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd had planned to set up World’s largest 4,000 MW Ultra-mega Solar power project in the land under the company.

But after the BJP government came to power in the state, the project was scrapped citing environmental issues and shifted to Gujarat.

Sambhar hosts a variety of avian species. Popular species of birds sighted here are coots, black-winged stilts and redshanks. During the monsoon season, a huge number of Siberian pink flamingos carpet the Sambhar Salt Lake making it wonderfully pinkish.