SUKHNA LAKE IN CHANDIGARH
St. Gregorios College ART (Association
of Retired Teachers) members visited Rock Garden of Chandigarh on 1st May, 2014.
The team includes 40 members. Sukhna ലാകെ in Chandigarh, India is an artificial
lake at the foothills of the Himalayas, the Shivalik hills. 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
creation of the lake was one of the greatest gifts from Le Corbusier and the
Chief Engineer P L Verma to the city of Chandigarh. To preserve its tranquility
Corbusier insisted that it be forbidden to motor boats and the top of the dam
(promenade) prohibited to vehicular traffic. The lake is fringed by a golf
course to the south, and Nek Chand's famous Rock Garden of Chandigarh to its
west..Sukhna is an inseparable part of the city of Chandigarh. Le Corbusier had
foreseen that the residents of the city would be drawn it for the 'care of the
body and spirit'. The city planners were deeply attached to the lake. So much
so that Pierre Jeanneret's ashes were immersed in the lake in 1970 as per his
wishes by his niece.
The roof of
the 'bandh' or dam has become a favorite promenade. Serious walkers pursue an
exercise regime, families enjoy an evening stroll and nature lovers mingle with
children on roller skates. Photographers and painters love to capture its
scenic beauty of the setting sun, or the heavily clouded monsoon sky, or the
early morning mist in winter set amidst the tranquility of the lake. Even
anglers do not leave unrewarded.Sukhna has a membership-based Lake Club with
lawns, a gym, indoor games, swimming pool and tennis courts with both synthetic
and grass courts. Boating, rowing, sculling, sailing, kayaking and water skiing
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. It also has facilities for other water sports like water surfing, skiing
and sculling.
Sukhna is a
sanctuary for many exotic migratory birds like the Siberian duck, Storks and
Cranes, during the winter months. The lake has been declared as a protected
national wetland by the Government of India.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 months. This annual ritual has been a
regular feature since long ago.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 specialities from different Indian States, are
also held here, along with cultural performances.
The
face of modern India, Chandigarh, is not only the first but the best planned
city in India. Apart from being the most popular city of North India, this city
is also the best example of modernization subsisting with nature. A place where
you would see greenery as much as the modernized structures. The planners of
the city gifted the city with a beautiful lake for a quiet union with nature. A
serene water-body in the foothills of the majestic Shivalik range surrounded by
lush greenery- this is what forms the divine landscape of the Sukhna Lake, the
most popular tourist attraction of Chandigarh.
Stretching
across 3 km, this man-made lake was created in the year 1958 by damming the
Sukhna Choe stream flowing from the Shivalik hills. The lake is enclosed by a
golf course on the south and the famous Rose Garden on its western end. The
Sukhna Lake is also the habitat of a number of fishes and migratory birds like
cranes and Siberian ducks. It has also been declared as a reserved national
wetland by the Government of India. The promenade on the shores of the lake is
often crowded by a stream of joggers and walkers who come there to relish the
fresh morning air. The scenic beauty of the lake serves as a true delight for
the photographers and artists who love to capture the mesmerizing view.
Water-sporting
activities like boating, yachting and water-skiing are carried out with
absolute zeal and enthusiasm here. The Sukhna lake has the longest channel for
rowing and yachting in Asia. The lake also witnesses a number of festivals that
are rejoiced by the tourists as well as the denizens. Sukhna also has a
membership-based club that offers myriad facilities to its members. This place
is the most sought after picnic spot in Chandigarh. Just a small walk at the
shores of the lake relaxes the mind and provides immense peace. The picturesque
waterfront adorned with the melodious chirp of birds and a serene atmosphere
captivates you so much so that you forget the world and rejoice every moment at
the lake
Prof. John Kurakar
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