Sukhna Lake - सुखना झील

Co-ordinates 30.742241, 76.821642 Nearby Cities Chandigarh,Panchkula Location Chandigarh State Chandigarh Wikipedia Links http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhna_Lake

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Sukhna Lake is a beautiful lake that lies in the foothills of Shivalik range. The unique thing about Sukhna is that it is a manmade lake. It is a 3 km long lake that was created in the year 1958. It was done by damming the Sukhna Choe, which is a seasonal stream flowing down from the Shivalik hills. Sukhana Lake of Chandigarh, India has become an integral part of the city

This manmade picturesque Sukhna Lake lies in the foothills of Shivalik range. It is an idyllic place for quiet communion with nature and for offering water sports activities like boating, yachting, water skiing, etc. The creation of Lake was one of the greatest gifts from Le Corbusier and P L Varma Chief Engineer.

Emotions attached

People of Chandigarh love Sukhna To preserve its tranquility Corbusier insisted that it be forbidden to motorboats and the top of the dam (promenade) prohibited to vehicular traffic This beautiful gift to the city has extended its attraction beyond its boundaries and Sukhna is an inseparable part of the city. The city planners were deeply attached to the lake, so much so that Pierre Jeanneret's ashes were immersed in the lake in 1970 as per his wishes by his niece. The Government of India has declared the Lake as a protected national wetland. It is the venue for many festive celebrations the most popular is the Mango Festival held during the monsoons when scores of varieties of mangoes are on display. The Lake is fringed by a golf course to the south, and the famous Rock Garden to its west This is a favorite spot for bird watchers One may simply relax at the cafe run by the Chandigarh Tourism Development Corporation. The lake also has a full-length watercourse, developed in 1989 when the city hosted the 1989 Asia Rowing Championship.

Enchanting evenings

The evenings see Sukhna again coming alive with tourists, and families thronging the promenade Photographers and painters can capture the scenic beauty of the setting sun, or the heavily clouded monsoon sky, or the early morning mist in winter set amidst the tranquility of the lake For children there are a number of joy rides and a mini train As night descends, the lights from the hill resort of Kasauli reflect in the lake presenting a bewitching sight.