Sharmishtha Lake

           The Sharmishtha Talav is an interesting example of the water retaining systems of the Solanki period, as it is still in use. It is an ancient lake created by the waters of the river Kapila flowing from the hills of Aravalli. More than 4500 years ago, early settlements appeared on its northeastern shore. Later a stepped embankment was created all around it to retain the water. In order to protect the embankments from getting destroyed by the gushing waters of the river in monsoon, a water feeding kund was built on the northern side of the lake. This kund, called Nagdharo, with a lake, pool, locks, and feeding channel, built during the Solanki period, is a specimen of high quality engineering.
         It is believed that the Hatkeshwar temple and Sharmishtha Lake, now on the outskirts of Vadnagar, once stood in the center of town, testifying to just how vast Vadnagar was at one point.