A royal retreat just ten minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Jodhpur the Balsamand lake is an important source of water to city . The lake itself an artificial one, was constructed in the 12th Century; the exquisitely carved red sandstone Palace came later in the reign of Maharaja Jaswant Singh I. Still the private property of the Maharaja of Jodhpur it is customary for the royal family to celebrate the first rain here with a tea party. The palace and garden have been converted into Rajasthan's first luxury-heritage resort