An artificial freshwater lake with the name Lake Pichola was built in the Indian city of Udaipur in the state of Rajasthan in 1362. It is called after the adjacent Picholi town. It is one of many connected lakes that have grown over the past few centuries in and around the renowned city of Udaipur. In order to supply the city and its surrounding area with irrigation and drinking water, dams were mostly constructed around Udaipur. Within Pichola Lake, two islands, Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir, have been created with a number of palaces to offer lake vistas.

There are four islands on the lake:

• Jag Niwas, where the Lake Palace is built.
• Jag Mandir, with the palace of the same name.
• Mohan Mandir, from where the king would watch the annual Gangaur festival celebration.
• Arsi Vilas, small island which was an ammunition depot, but also a small palace. This one was built by one of the Maharanas of Udaipur to enjoy the sunset on the lake. It is also a sanctuary catering to a variety of birds, including tufted ducks, coots, egrets, terns, cormorants and kingfishers.

Three of the numerous lakes found in the vicinity of Udaipur which connect with the Pichola lake and the Swaroop Sagar Lake connected by an arched bridge built by Maharana Swaroop Singh (1842-1861) which in turn connects to the Fateh Sagar Lake, the crystal watered lake in the midst of tree lined hills and the smaller Arsi Vilas.