Gopal Sweets Chandigarh — Restaurant in Chandigarh

Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, India, is a reservoir at the foothills (Shivalik hills) of the Himalayas. This 3 km² rainfed lake was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik Hills. Originally the seasonal flow entered the lake directly causing heavy siltation. To check the inflow of silt, 25.42 km² of land was acquired in the catchment area and put under vegetation. In 1974, the Choe was diverted and made to bypass the lake completely, the lake being fed by three siltation pots, minimising the entry of silt into the lake itself.

The lake was created by Le Corbusier and the Chief Engineer P L Verma. To preserve its tranquility, Corbusier insisted on two things: that it be forbidden for motor boats to circulate in the water, and for vehicular traffic to be prohibited on top of the dam (promenade). The lake is fringed by a golf course to the south, and Nek Chand's famous Rock Garden of Chandigarh to its west. Earlier some crocodiles were also found in this lake.

Earlier it was known as Chakraborty Lake after Birendra Narayan Chakraborty, Governer of Haryana - 1967 to 1976.

The lake is facing serious issues like weed overgrowth,5] catchment adequacy[6] and silting[7]that are significantly shrinking its size and depth. A project team, under Parasu Ram Mishra, was deployed to address the issue and take remedial measures, which halted the sedimentation, for a while.[8] Additionally, it has become the subject of litigation between Chandigarh and Punjab.[9

Silting has taken its toll and the volume of the lake has been reduced to 56% of its original. The lake is shrinking rapidly due to siltation and lack of inflow.[11]It was initially hoped that the work of desilting could be undertaken in summers at a war footing and dry dredging could be undertaken at a fraction of cost to save Sukhna in the coming years. Unfortunately, the ground realities seem to be different. Due to heavy rain in August and September Sukhna was filled up again and flood gates were...

Sukhna lake is located in sector 1, at the north end of Chandigarh. I was on a 4-day visit from 24-27th Nov 2016. My guest house was located in sector 19 which is a brisk walk from the lake. I went there at around 6:30am and was mesmerised by the sunrise view.

The lake area is as neat and clean as the rest of Chandigarh. There is a safe embankment all around with steps leading to the edge at certain regulated areas. The is a wide, clean road all around the edge of the lake, which is ideal for walking and jogging. Right adjacent is a garden strip with huge trees and flowering bushes. Drinking water and public conveniences are available at regular intervals and are very clean.For those interested in exercise, there is a designated area and loads of joggers and yogis will b found there daily. At opposite end of the lake is the buddha park with an imposing statue of the meditating buddha in the centre. Swimming and feeding birds/fish in the lake is prohibited.

In the evening there is a boat ride option available...ideal spot for family/ friends/ and even solo..

What I loved most : The peace of the lake, the energy of the walkers and joggers, even the sailors rowing their boats... there is peaceful instrumental music that is played early morning...

What to bring : Walking/running shoes.. if you want to cover the whole road, the to and fro distance will easily take you an hour on a regular walking pace. Must get a camera..great for nature photography (especially migratory birds, black ducks and butterflies), wear comfortable clothes if you want to exercise.. cycling option also available. Pet friendly area. Lakeside tends to be windy, so dress warm..

Time taken : Short if u only want pics, one hour if u want boat ride (short queue, to and fro distance will take 30min max), add an hour or so if u want to cover the entire lakeside on foot... and if u r a nature lover or just want to enjoy the peace.... u can spend an entire day without...

Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, India, is a reservoir at the foothills (Shivalik hills) of the Himalayas. This 3 km² rainfed lake was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik Hills. Originally, the seasonal flow entered the lake directly causing heavy siltation. To check the inflow of silt, 25.42 km² of land was acquired in the catchment area and put under vegetation. In 1974, the Choe was diverted and made to bypass the lake completely, the lake being fed by three siltation pots, minimising the entry of silt into the lake itself. The lake was created by Le Corbusier and the Chief Engineer P L Verma. To preserve its tranquility, Corbusier insisted on two things: that it be forbidden for motor boats to circulate in the water, and for vehicular traffic to be prohibited on top of the dam (promenade). The lake is fringed by a golf course to the south, and Nek Chand's famous Rock Garden of Chandigarh to its west. The lake is facing serious issues like weed overgrowth, catchment adequacy and silting that are significantly shrinking its size and depth. A project team, under Parasu Ram Mishra, was deployed to address the issue and take remedial measures, which halted the sedimentation, for a while. Additionally, it has become the subject of litigation between Chandigarh and Punjab.

Silting has taken its toll and the volume of the lake has been reduced to 56% of its original. The lake is shrinking rapidly due to siltation and lack of inflow. It was initially hoped that the work of desilting could be undertaken in summers at a war footing and dry dredging could be undertaken at a fraction of cost to save Sukhna in the coming years. Unfortunately, the ground realities seem to be different. Due to heavy rain in August and September Sukhna was filled up again and flood gates were...