Things to do at Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh

Have you ever visited Chandigarh? We are sure that you might have! And we are also sure that you might have missed out on many or maybe a few of these awesome things to do at the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh. People think that going to the lake is just about boating or to the garden it’s maybe a walk. Folks, that’s not true. Check out this compilation and see how many of these things have you actually done on your visit to Chandigarh’s Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake and you’ll know what to do on your next visit!

1. Rock Garden

Address: Sector 1, Chandigarh (U.T.) India

Timings:

1^st April to 30^th September – 9 AM to 7:30 PM

1^st October to 31^st March – 9 AM to 6 PM

Opens daily

Tickets:

INR 20 – Adults

INR 10 – Children

The Rock Garden of Chandigarh is a sculpture garden in Chandigarh, India, also known as Nek Chand’s Rock Garden after its founder Nek Chand, a government official who started the garden secretly in his spare time in 1957. Today it is spread over an area of 40 acres. It is completely built on industrial and home waste and thrown-away items.

It is near Sukhna Lake. It consists of man-made interlinked waterfalls and many other sculptures that have been made of scrap and other kinds of wastes (bottles, glasses, bangles, tiles, ceramic pots, sinks, electrical waste, broken pipes, etc.) which are placed in walled paths.

Quick Window

• See the artwork has been made by using industrial & urban waste.
• Observe the sculptures made by using a variety of different discarded waste materials like frames, mudguards, forks, handle bars, metal wires, play marbles, porcelain, auto parts, broken bangles etc.
• Soak in the man-made interlinked waterfalls.
• Enjoy watching the fish aquariums and laughing mirrors.
• Take a swing with joy.
• View the open air theater and a vast pavilion with a center stage are the other highlights of the Rock Garden where art and culture blend amidst rustic and exotic environs of the garden.
• Experience the Teej festival celebrated here with a lot of pride by women.

2. Sukhna Lake

Address: Sector 1, Chandigarh (U.T.) India

Timings: 5 AM to 9 PM

Opens daily

Tickets: Entry Free

For Boating- INR 200

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. 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. 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 Lake is the venue for many festive celebrations, too.

For boating, two types of paddle boats are available – 2 seater boats and 4 seater boats. Wearing a life jacket is compulsory. The charges for both these boats are different. There is a separate ticket counter from where you have to purchase the tickets in advance. You can opt for a 30 minute or a 1-hour session. The boating charges at Sukhna Lake are very nominal.

Quick window

• Boating at Sukhna Lake
• Get a Portrait Made
• Eat at the CITCO Cafeteria
• Peep in the Souvenir Shop
• Ride the bull
• Go for a camel ride
• Visit Suicide Point
• Climb the tower stairs to get a golf course view from the top
• Visit Garden Of Silence (Buddha Peace Park)
• Climb stairs from the back side of the lake
• Experience the most popular is theMango Festival held during the monsoons when scores of varieties of mangoes are on display.

Sonam Rajput

Sonam Rajput is a student of Education at Central Institute of Education, University of Delhi. She is a foodie and enjoys going on historical walks and imagining the world that had been. She hopes to keep her love for history in tandem with her passion for travel and unravel cultures, and experiences while doing so.