Damdama Lake

Haryana Tourism restaurant on Damdama Lake

Damdama Lake is a reservoir in Sohna, Gurgaon district in the Indian state of Haryana. It is one of the biggest lakes in Haryana and with an area of 3,000 acres (12.14 km²). Damdama Lake was formed when a stone and earthen dam constructed by the British was commissioned for rain water harvesting in 1947. The lake, held by an embankment, is fed mainly by monsoon rain pouring into a trough at the base of the Aravali hills. The Lake greets visitors with a water level down to 20 feet. During monsoon the water level reaches up to 50 to 60 ft.

Location

Damdama lake is known as nature’s paradise and located in lap of Aravali hills. Damdama lake is just 23 km from Gurgaon and 42 km from Delhi. It is approximately 9 km from Sohna.

From Dhaula kuan, New Delhi, take NH 8 (Jaipur highway), after crossing Iffco chowk in Gurgaon, take left from exit number 10 (Rajiv Chowk) and drive straight and reach Bhondsi, then take left from Bhondsi (opp. HP petrol pump), drive 10 km straight and reach Damdama lake. Nearest railway station is Gurgaon Railway Station, gurgaon.

Adventure activities

Damdama Lake is a hotspot for adventure sports and activities near Delhi, and is a regular haunt for students, corporates and families who wish to have fun while honing their leadership and team building skills at the same time. Dream Island Resort^[1] is the best adventure resort at Damdama Lake. Some of the activities that can be enjoyed at Dream Island Resort, Damdama Lake are:

• Artificial Rock climbing
• Valley Crossing
• Burma bridge
• Commando Bridge
• Travoline trevasse
• Free Fall
• Commando Net
• Australian Trolley
• Double Trouble
• Blind Fold Commando
• Tug of War
• Cricket with soft ball
• Music & Dance
• Rain Dance
• Swimming

Geology and climate

As it is located in a hilly region, the topography of this area is not even. Damdama Lake is spread in the shape of an amoeba and has many branches. Dream Island adventure resort being right in the middle of the lake has a moderate climate and is good for a visit any time of the year. Best time to visit the lake is from October to March, late summers and monsoons. The climate is typically hot during summer, temperature reaching up to 45–47 °C.

Ecology

Damdama lake is a natural home for birds, & more than 190 species of birds, migratory as well as local, visit here during summer, monsoon and winter season, i.e. all throughout the year a variety of birds from different places flock to Dream Island. Some of the major birds seen here are water fowl, cranes, cormorants, terns, egrets, kingfishers etc. While driving to Damdama Lake, you can also catch a glimpse of peacocks and blue bulls.

Leisure

Surrounded by the Aravali Mountains, it is one of the popular picnic spot to spend the weekend away from the city in a quiet and scenic atmosphere. In the serene location, one can enjoy boating in row boats, paddle boats and motor boats. Damdama is known for its splendid adventure sports facilities such as para sailing, kayaking, cycling, angling, rock climbing, valley crossing. One can also go for nature walks in the nearby Aravali hills.

With the evolution of Damdama Lake Dream Island Adventure resort has been providing accommodation, food and activities for the various tourists flocking to Dream Island in the middle of Damdama Lake.

Attractions nearby

Hot springs

Sohna is also famous for its natural hot springs. The water is strongly sulphurous. According to a legend, one of the pandav, Arjun, dug this well when he was thirsty. Sohna is very close to Dream Island Resort at Damdama Lake.

Ancient Shiva temple

An ancient Shiva temple is located in Sohna and was built by the Raja of Bharatpur/Gwalior. Every year on the occasion of Shiv Chaudas & Shiv Ratri, the residents of Sohna offer their special prayers to Lord Shiva & Maa Bhagwati for the new born babies and newly married couples.

Surajkund tourist complex

It is an ideal tourist complex. A delightful handloom and handicrafts fair is held here annually in February. Skilled artisans from all over the country display the rich crafts tradition of India in the typical setting of a rural Indian marketplace. Cultural programmes like folk dances, magic, acrobats and rural cuisines are also a part of this colourful fair.

References

Coordinates: 28°18′14″N 77°07′44″E / 28.304°N 77.129°E / 28.304; 77.129