Haryana state is abundant in lakes and other water bodies. Some of these lakes are natural resources of water, while a handful of others are constructed by man. These lakes offer picturesque views and attract the tourists by their surreal beauty. They are the perfect picnic spots; one can spend a joyous time on their banks and have a feel of rejuvenation. Lakes of Haryana are known for their placid waters.
Lakes of Haryana are angler’s paradise; they provide the tourists with enthused excitement and rejuvenated vacations.
Anangpur Dam
- Location: Near Surajkund, Haryana
- Type: Man-made
- Time or Months to Visit: Throughout the year
Anangpur Dam is located in the southwest direction of the famous Surajkund; Arangpur village in the Gurgaon district lies close to it. The dam is a wonder of hydraulic engineering that belongs to the period of Tomar king Anangpal. This eight century wonder was built by this ruler who also laid foundation of the Lal Kot. These structures were built by the ruler as a part of the establishment of Delhi city.
This gravity dam is made up of stones of quartzite which were then sharpened and given a chiseled look. As one goes down the structure, the width of the dam goes on increasing. A stream or a “nala” is present between the banks of the Anangpur Dam. The dam has a height of about 7 meters and is stretched to the length of 50 meters. The structure of the dam carries a number of manholes. These crevices were built on the top portion so as to facilitate the entrance inside the dam body. These manholes were used to control water flow through sluices and to have a regular check up of the functioning of the dam. An outlet that is present on the downstream leads one to the ground portion that lies below the dam.
Anangpur Dam is used to store monsoonal water which is used for irrigational purposes. As the Tomar Ruler Anangpal wanted to protect his clan from the other Rajputs who were constantly on a war with him. In order to do so, he laid the foundation of a new kingdom at Delhi. A reservoir by the name of Surajkund and a dam called Anangpur were also built. It is believed that Surajkund was built by Surajpal and the dam was built by Anangpal who belonged to a different period of the Tomar dynasty.
Accessibility
The access to the dam is by a path that initiates from Arangpur village; this path goes through a pastureland and then crosses a rocky hill.
Damdama Lake
- Location: Near Delhi, Haryana
- Type: Rain-fed, natural
- Time Months to Visit: Throughout the year
Damdama Lake is considered as one of the largest natural lakes of Haryana. Lying off the road connecting Gurgaon to Alwar, this lake was formed as a depression through the rugged hills of Aravallis. These hills form a picturesque backdrop of this serene place. One can spend a lovely weekend here; as it lies at a distance of about sixty kilometers from Delhi, it can be reached within hours from Delhi and nearby places.
Attractions of the Place
Damdama Lake is a picture-perfect location for enjoying adventurous water-sports and trekking activities. The visitors get a chance to enjoy different sorts of boating like paddle, motor, and row boating. As the rugged Aravallis form a breathtaking backdrop of the place, adventure-seekers can spend time in rock climbing and trekking. A little farm that rears poultry is a lovely place to visit. An abode of Gujjar tribes, this farm is a great place to spend time in seclusion.
Apart from boating, one can enjoy canoeing, rock climbing, camping, and kayaking here. Cycle expeditions are also offered to visit the site and surroundings.
Rainwater is the only water source that feeds the lake. During summers, the lakes get dried but as the Monsoon season approaches, the water level increases enormously. At some places, the water touches the height of 60 feet.
Saras complex is quite famous among the visitors. This exclusive cottage has more than 15 cottages. Both the interior as well as the exterior of the cottages are provided with an artistic touch. These huts are built so as to face the panoramic lake view. One can go camping in the nearby tents that add vibrancy to the whole ambience.
Resorts at Damdama Lake are set in the pleasant surroundings that are charmed by the cool breeze and presence of several types of birds. Visitors can have glimpses of egrets, darters, parakeets etc. For providing entertainment to the families, special activities like treasure-hunt, obstacle courses, wall climbing, bridge crossing etc. The resorts offer simple yet tasty food to the visitors that can be relished in the calmness of the place.
Sannihit Sarovar Lake
- Location: Kurukshetra, Haryana
- Type: Natural
- Time/Months to Visit: Throughout the year
Sannihit Sarovar Lake is a sacred reservoir of water that carries a tag of religious importance with it. Believed to be the confluence or meeting place of 7 Saraswati Rivers, this Sarovar is considered by Hindu pilgrims.
Spanning an area of about six lakh and seventy five square feet, Sannihit Sarovar Lake is supposed to carry sacred water. Hindu devotes consider it extremely holy to bath in the waters of the Sarovar on solar eclipse. Bathing at this time is considered equivalent to performing an “Ashwamedha Yajna”. The waters are supposed to have a purging effect on the soul and body of a human being and absolve a person of all his sins.
Sannihit Sarovar Lake is considered an abode of the Hindu Lord Vishnu. Temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Vishnu, Laxmi Narayan, and Earth Goddess are present in the vicinity of the Sarovar.
Legend Associated with the Place
According to the legends, a long time ago, all the holy waters present on earth seemed to be overburdened by the sins of mankind. To resolve their issue, Lord advised that man, on the auspicious day of Amavasya or on solar eclipse, should bath off his sins in the waters of Sannihit Sarovar. Since then, bathing in the reservoir is considered highly sacred.
Another legend says that Lord Krishna took the holy dip in these waters after the famous Mahabharata battle was over. Other legends state that the Sarovar is the place where saint Dadhichi laid down his life so that Lord Indra could get mighty “Vajra” made from his bones.
The sanctified place is highly revered by the devotees who believe that one could achieve “moksha” or release from worldly ties.
Badkhal Lake
- Location: Faridabad, Haryana
- Type: Natural Lake
- Time Months to Visit: Throughout the year
Badkhal Lake is one of the most popular Lakes of Haryana that is included among tourist getaways. This holiday spot is located at a short distance from Delhi. Surrounded by the old Aravalli Hills, the place is frequently visited by tourists who come here to spend their vacation with their families.
Renowned for various water sports that is provided, Badkhal Lake is a perfect holiday spot that offers pleasurable boat rides and camping facilities. This picturesque place is visited by a number of tourists every year who come in search of solitude. This large water body is built in the form of a shallow bowl. Several huts that are meant for providing rest and coziness to the visitors are situated in an inlet through the Aravallis.
Hathni Kund
- Location: Yamuna Nagar, Haryana
- Type: Natural
- Time Months to Visit: Throughout the year
Hathni Kund of Haryana is an important link to Yamuna canal and Kalesar forest. Overlooking the majestic Yamuna River, this place is situated near the Tajewala barrage which is responsible for collecting waters of the majestic Yamuna River. A calm and serene place that attracts tourists by its tranquil surroundings, the Kund is a delightful place for the visitors. One can have an enchanting view of the Himalayan foothills that form its backdrop.
Attractions of the Place
This adventurous spot is laden with myriad opportunities of rafting. This welcoming retreat allows expedition activities that start from Paonta Sahib. River rafters can have a wonderful time at Hathni Kund. As the waters of the Kund are blessed with slow rapids, the inexperienced tourists can also plunge themselves in rafting expeditions. Other attractions of the place include camping and trekking in the greeneries of the Kalesar Forest. This exquisite forest reserve is an abode of amazing fowls like drongo, hornbill, and the tree pie. One can also get several chances to watch flora and fauna of the reserve. This forest is sprawled over 5100 hectares; being the only Sal forest of Haryana, Kalesar is unique in itself.
Other Attractions
A nearby location near Hathni Kund that is worth visiting is Tajewala waterfront. A lovely barrage at this place is an absolute delight for anglers. In order to visit this place, one has to take a permit from the authorities. One can also get camping facilities arranged for himself here.
Facilities in the form of trekking, surfing, and accommodation are provided for the visitors.
Sukhna Lake
- Location: Chandigarh, Haryana
- Type: Man-made
- Time/Months to Visit: Throughout the year
Sukhna Lake is a manmade lake that was built under the guidance of geniuses like Le Corbusier, the main architect of Chandigarh and P.L. Varma, who was the chief engineer. The tranquil environment that this lake presents is worth admiration. This idyllic place attracts a large number of tourists.
Located in the Shivalik foothills, this lake was created in the year 1958. It is spread over an area of 188 hectares. Known for its splendid beauty, Sukhna lake was declared a National Wetland in 1988 as there was a dire need to preserve this area in its natural form. A major portion of this reservoir suffered silting; this portion was then later converted into a Reserve Forest.
Attractions of the Place:
Lake’s catchment area is framed by rugged mountains and steep slopes. The lake area is a perfect spot for families who come here for taking evening strolls and enjoying adventurous activities. This picture-perfect place is a delight for photographers who feel can capture the mesmerizing beauty of this holiday spot.
Area surrounding Sukhna lake becomes a lively place in evenings when thousands of visitors throng here to enjoy the picturesque Chef Lakeview, and engage in shopping and boating expeditions. The place is worth enjoying by children who can take joyrides.
A whole lot of festive celebrations like Mango festival take place on lake shore. In monsoon season, hundreds of varieties of mangoes are kept on display. Apart from this, food festivals showcasing cuisines form different parts of Indian subcontinent are held on the premises. This is accompanied with cultural performances by various artists. Tourists can enjoy water sports like skiing and water surfing.
Brahma Sarovar Lake
- Location: Kurukshetra, Haryana
- Type: Natural Lake
- Time Months to Visit: Throughout the year
Famous for its sacred waters, Brahma Sarovar Lake of Haryana is popular among Hindu pilgrims who visit the place for having a holy dip in its water. It is, in fact, considered one of the most revered places of pilgrimage. According to a legend, this place was the origin of civilization and it was Lord Brahma who himself conceived this place. The place has found mention in religious text like Mahabharata, Puranas and in the historical description by Al Beruni in his famous book “Kitab-ul-Hind”.
A temple dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Shiva is present in the waters of the Sarovar. There are several steps that lead to the lake. On these steps, several saints can be seen offering prayers. It is believed that bathing in the waters of Brahma Sarovar Lake will purge all the sins. According to old scriptures, one should bath in the waters of Sarovar to alleviate the sanctity of ” Ashvamedha Yajna”.
“Deepdan” is the famous ceremony that is performed during the celebration of the Gita Jayanti. At this time, pilgrims offer their homage and participate in activities of the “puja”.
This festive occasion is celebrated every year in the month of November or December. The devotees come here during the solar eclipse to seek blessings.
The dignity and purity of Brahma Sarovar Lake attracts visitors who come here in search of seclusion and spend some time in peaceful solitariness.
Karna Lake
- Location: Karnal, Haryana
- Type: Man-made
- Time/Months to Visit: Throughout the year
Located at a distance of about 5 kilometer form the Karnal, Karna Lake is a lovely tourist spot that is beautifully landscaped. It was created in the year 1972; built on a marshy shallow land, the lake is sprawled over an area of about 17 acres.
Attractions of the Place
The spectacular green waters of the lake look splendidly beautiful. The lake is built in the shape of a circle and is one of the favorite tourist spots of Haryana. The picturesque island on which Karna Lake is located is blessed with abundant natural beauty. The island is home to a number of avifauna including geese, kingfisher, and cormorants, swans, and ducks. There are different species of birds that can be seen flying over lake water. The presence of bottlebrush invites to darters and other birds.
The placid waters of the lake and the quiet surroundings offer a perfect place for spending time in seclusion. Main attraction of the place is boating which is available in the form of paddle boating and row boating. A number of other structures that are present near lake include gift shops, family huts, and banquet hall.
Nearby Attractions
A memorial that goes by the name of Kala Amb is an interesting place to visit. This memorial is the reminiscent of Third Battle of Panipat. Twin pillars in red that are erected at Bahlolpur and Amin belong to the period of Mahabharata and are supposed to be the site of ferocious fight between Pandava Bhima and Kaurava Duryodhana. According to the story, after being feared for his life, Duryodhana hid himself in the waters of a tank, but when he was instigated by Bhima, he came out, fought with him and eventually killed.
Other attractions of Karna Lake are tomb of Kalandar Shah, Trori Sarai fort in Katju Nagar, and a watch tower called Kos Minar. In addition, tombs of Mubarak Khan, Muqarrab khan, and Altaf Hussein are also worth visiting.
Restaurants and Accommodation Facilities
The luxurious guestrooms are available for the visitors; each of the rooms has been built to face the pleasant surroundings. Two cottages that offer luxury stay to the guests are present and provide comfortable stay. Their interiors match international, standards. Presence of a conference hall that is equipped with a number of facilities like stereo cabin is quiet inviting to the guests. There is a gamut of Eucalyptus trees that are present in the vicinity of Karna Lake.
The place also offers excellent dining options. Jewel, a restaurant offers a variety of dishes including fast food. A Dhaba that lies opposite to the lake is also a compelling place to relish good food.
Surajkund Lake
- Address: Charmwood Village, Surajkund, Faridabad, Haryana 121009
- Timings: 10:30 am – 08:30 pm details
- Time required: 2-3 hrs
Dug up in the eleventh century, Surajkund Lake was built in the form of a semi circle to harvest rain waters. Today there is no water that has remained in the reservoir, yet the place is visited by a number of tourists every year who come here to take part in the cultural celebrations of Suraj Kund Mela.
