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Chandigarh: Sukhna Lake

Reach the northern fringe of 'Chandigarh - The City Beautiful' and behold the serene beauty of Sukhna Lake. True to its name Sukhna which implies a wish - fulfilled, the lake is an idyllic resort to enjoy nature at its best.

Sukhna is a man - made lake that was created in 1958 as a part of the grandiose plans of Le Corbusier for the City. Fed by rain water through three seasonal streams, it is a tourists' paradise.

The curvilinear profile of the promenade along the banks of Sukhna hums with activity from dawn to dusk, reflecting changing moods of the day.

At Dawn
As the golden hue of the dawn shimmers through its placid waters, a stream of joggers hurry along to savour the fresh morning air.

Others amble on the dew - wet grass, the children frolic around, while a few others find time to meditate in tranquility. On weekends in winter, one can hear the melodious strains of the flute or classical rendering by famous Indian artists on its banks. Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh

And of course, Sukhna is a sanctuary for many exotic migratory birds like the Siberian duck, Storks and Cranes, during the sinter months. People of Chandigarh love Sukhna. During summers, there are streams of men, women and children from all walks of life offering voluntary service to desilt the lake bed for about three monts. This annual ritual has been a regular features since long. As the golden orb emerges brightly form the Shivalik hill range, the morning crowd recedes….. And groups of students arrive to browse through their books under the shady trees. The afternoon attracts families on picnic and a siesta to complete their foray into the lap of nature.

The Evening
The evenings see Sikhna again coming alive with tourists, and families thronging the promenade, the Lakeview Cafeteria, the fast food - shops and of course at jetty for a boat ride. Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh

For children there are a number of joyrides and a mini train. As night descends, the lights from the hill resort of Kasauli reflect in te lake and present a bewitching sight.

Sukhna Lake is the venue for many festive celebrations too. The most popular is the Mango Festival held during the monsoons when scores of varieties of mangoes are on display. From time to time other food festivals, featuring specialties from different Indian States, are also held here, along with cultural performances.

Sukhna is an inseparable part of the city's life. There is attraction for all visitors, depending on the time and season of the year. Boating, rowing, sculling, sailing can be enjoyed throughout the year. The Lake, which was the venue for the Asian Rowing Championships, has the longest channel for rowing and yachting events in Asia.

Sukhna has a membership based Lake Club with open lawns, a gym, indoor games, swimming pool and tennis courts with both synthetic and grass courts. The lake is fringed by a golf course and a mini zoo to the south, and the famous Rock Garden to its west.