Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, is a reservoir at the foothills (Shivalik hills) of the Himalayas. This 3 km rain fed 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 km 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 tranquillity, 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 famous Rock Garden of Chandigarh to its west.

Time Required: 1-2 hours
Cost: Free
Open Time: 5am-9pm
Facts about Sukhna Lake
Sukhna Lake being the home to several varieties of fishes and migratory birds has been declared by the Government of India as a reserved national wetland.

Timings for boating at Sukhna Lake
January to April: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
August to September: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
September to December: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM