Sukhna Lake

Sukhna Lake is a rainfed reservoir of about 3 square kilometres at the foot of the Shivalik hills, on the north-eastern edge of Chandigarh. It was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream, and was part of Le Corbusier's plan to give the new city a place of quiet and open water.

Le Corbusier insisted that Sukhna Lake stay free of traffic and noise, and the long promenade along the dam is still where Chandigarh walks, jogs and meets, especially at dawn and in the evening. The lake is a rowing venue that has hosted national championships, and in winter it draws migratory ducks and waterbirds from Central Asia. Silt washing down from the hills has been a problem for decades, and the lake needs regular desilting and catchment work to keep its depth.

What to see

• The dam promenade, with the Shivalik hills rising behind the water
• Paddle boats and rowing boats at the boat club
• Winter waterbirds, best seen early in the morning
• The sunset over the lake from the western end of the promenade
• The forested Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary in the hills behind

What to wear

Sukhna Lake has no dress code; wear comfortable walking shoes and light clothes for most of the year. From December to February, early mornings by the water are chilly and often misty, so bring a jacket. In summer, carry a hat and water, and plan boating for the cooler hours. Chandigarh sits in Punjabi country, and around the city you will see women in salwar kameez, often with a bright phulkari embroidered dupatta, and Sikh men in neatly tied turbans.

Local food to try

Chandigarh eats like Punjab: chole bhature for breakfast, Amritsari kulcha, dal makhani, butter chicken and tall glasses of lassi, with sarson da saag and makki di roti in winter. Snack stalls near the lake sell corn, tea and ice cream, and the markets of Sectors 7, 8 and 17 have sit-down Punjabi restaurants and sweet shops for a fuller meal. Vegetarian options are easy to find.

Good to know

• Best from October to March; sunrise and sunset are the nicest times
• The promenade is open daily; boating runs in daylight hours
• Free to walk; boating is charged per boat
• Allow one to two hours for a walk and a boat ride
• In Sector 1, about 9 km from Chandigarh railway station
• Drones need permission; stay behind barriers at the boat jetties

Nearby places

The Rock Garden is about 1.5 km west, and Le Corbusier's Capitol Complex is next to it, so the three fit into one morning. The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden is a short drive into the city.