The Scenic Karna Lake, Karnal

Karnal city is located in the Indian state of Haryana and its history is associated with Karna, a legendary character in Mahabharata. I visited Karnal recently to attend a wedding ceremony. Since we had some spare time, we planned a short trip to ‘Karna Lake’, which is a major tourist attraction in the city. The lake is a piece of paradise for anyone looking for some tranquil moments in the busy city life of Karnal. 

History of Karna Lake

According to the legend of Mahabharata, the great warrior Karna used to take a bath in this lake every morning post which he gave alms to the poor and needy. Karna was the son of Lord Surya (sun) and was bestowed with divine earrings and an armour that protected him. During the war of Mahabharata, Lord Indra approached him as a poor Brahmin and asked for his divine belongings. He did this to help his son Arjuna in the War. Karna was already aware of this conspiracy, however, he was bound by his words that he will not send anyone empty-handed from his door. Hence, he gave his divine earrings and armour as a charity to Lord Indra on the banks of this lake. Karna was so great a warrior that no one would kill him till the time he had his bow in his hand. His half brother, Arjuna killed him in the war by shooting an arrow at Karna when he was unarmed. 

How to Reach Karna Lake?

Karna Lake is approximately 20 mins ride from the Karnal Bus Stand. You can hire an auto rickshaw or a cab to reach there. If you are coming via your own conveyance, there is a lot of parking space near the lake.  

Timings and Entry Fee

Karna Lake is open 24 hours, however, visiting the lake before sunset is recommended. There is no entry fee. 

Beauty of Karna Lake

Karna lake is dipped in sheer natural beauty. The greenery around the lake and the peaceful vibes will make you forget that you are in a busy city with a lot of traffic. You will lose a track of time by merely sitting by the lake and soaking yourself in its energies. The cool breeze brushing through your hair, the birds chirping and singing their happy songs, beautiful ducks playing in the lake – everything about Karna Lake is simply captivating. 

What to Do at the Lake?

Sit by the lake for those life contemplations or take a stroll around and enjoy its scenic beauty from different angles. Click loads of pictures and make your favourite memories. Go for a romantic boat ride on the lake waters. Eat delicious food at a lake facing restaurant. Spot some beautiful birds. Karna Lake is also famous for its breathtaking sunset. So, if you have ample leisure time, watching a sunset at the lake is recommended.

Where to eat at Karna Lake?

Karna Lake is maintained by Haryana Tourism. There are few snack shops, a fast food restaurant and a restaurant for lunch/dinner. Since we were very hungry and it was almost the lunch time, we opted for the lunch option. The restaurant, maintained by Haryana Tourism, was spacious, nice and clean. The food options included buffet as well as a-la-carte. 

We tried tandoori rotis (baked Indian bread), boiled rice, dal, mix vegetables, shahi paneer (cottage cheese), chicken curry and salad. All the dishes were delicious, the service was great and the lake view from the restaurant was amazing.

 Post lunch we went for a small walk around the lake and enjoyed the scenic views. I wanted to go for boating, but we were running late for a wedding. So, we bid sweet goodbyes to the lovely Karna Lake and carried on with our journey back to to the hotel. 

I recommend visiting this little piece of heaven for anyone visiting Karnal. The lake lies at almost equal distance between Chandigarh and Delhi. So, even when you are travelling between these two cities, it serves as a refreshing midway stop. 

Have you ever visited the Karna Lake? Please leave a comment below about your experience. Thanks for reading.