SUKHNA LAKE

Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh is an artificial lake at the foothills (Shivalik hills) of
the Himalayas. A serene water body in the foothills of the majestic Shivalik hills
surrounded by lush greenery, this is what  forms the divine landscape of 
sukhna lake, the most popular tourist attraction of Chandigarh.

History Of Sukhna Lake

The lake was created by French architect Le Corbusier and Chief Engineer 
P LVerma. This 3 km² lake was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna 
Choe, a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik Hills.To preserve its 
tranquility, Corbusier insisted on two things:  the lake to be forbidden for motor 
boats to circulate in the water and vehicular traffic to be prohibited on top of 
the dam. The lake is bounded by a golf course to the south, and Nek Chand's
famous Rock Garden of Chandigarh to its west.

Amenities And Activities

Sukhna lake has a membership-based Lake Club with lawns, gym,indoor 
games, swimming pool and tennis court with both synthetic and grass courts. 
Boating, rowing, sculling, sailing, kayaking and water skiing can be enjoyed all
over theyear.

Sukhna sanctuary is for many exotic migratory birds like the Siberian duck,
storks and cranes during the winter months. The lake has been declared as a  
protected national wetland by the Indian government. The atmosphere of
Sukhna lake is very serene and thus apt for meditating. Also, one can savor 
the melodious humming of birds.

Local Lore

During summers, there are loads of men, women and children from all walks  
of life offering voluntary service to desilt the lake bed for around three months. 
This annual ritual has been a regular feature for long. Sukhna Lake is the 
venue for many festival celebrations as well. The most popular is the Mango 
Festival which is held during the monsoons when scores of varieties of 
mangoes are on display. Along with it, other food festivals featuring specialties
from different Indian States are also held here, along with cultural 
performances.

To make things more new and innovative, you can now have a Shikara ride 
too. There is a cafe to the lake known as CITCO cafeteria that has both indoor
and outdoor seating; outdoors, from where the scenic beauty can be enjoyed.
If that is not enough, one can find a  camel outside the lake that offers tourists  
camel rides, right by the lake. Or sit in the rock stairs of the lake, and enjoy the
sunset in an uncanny silence!