The Badkhal Lake

The Badkhal Lake in Faridabad (celebrated across Delhi NCR and Haryana as an iconic natural freshwater lake sanctuary and historic eco tourism resort located between two low ridges of the ancient Aravalli Hills, constructed in 1969 via an artificial earthen embankment to harness rainwater streams for agriculture, and currently undergoing a comprehensive smart city lake rejuvenation and waterfront beautification project), located on Badkhal Surajkund Road in Faridabad in Haryana, stands as Faridabad's premier natural valley retreat.

Derived from the Persian Urdu term 'be dakhal' (meaning undisturbed or free from intervention), this historic 20 hectare lake basin once served as one of Northern India's most popular boating, angling, and birdwatching holiday destinations for generations of weekend travelers escaping the capital.

It's the home of the natural amphitheatre like basin framed by rugged rocky quartzite cliffs of the Aravalli mountain range, the elevated 1.5 km embankment promenade offering sweeping sunset vistas across the valley, the adjoining Badkhal Lake Tourist Resort featuring terrace dining pavilions and garden walkways, the comprehensive ecological rejuvenation works replenishing the lake basin with treated water pipelines and clay waterproofing liners, the thriving biodiversity habitat supporting peacocks, gray francolins, monitor lizards, and migratory winter waterfowl, and a refreshing, peaceful hill valley atmosphere where rocky trails invite morning joggers and nature lovers.

It represents a rich 55 year-old state eco tourism legacy, Aravalli environmental conservation, and urban lake revival where rocky ridges, embankment promenades, Haryana Tourism resorts, and water rejuvenation unite in The Badkhal Lake Faridabad.

Located on Badkhal Enclave in central Faridabad, it sits just 3 km from Badkhal Mor Metro Station (Violet Line), 5 km from Faridabad Railway Station (FDB), 10 km south of Surajkund, and 32 km from Connaught Place (New Delhi), easily accessible via the Delhi Metro or Mathura Road.

Aravalli Ridge Setting & Smart City Rejuvenation

Sitting snugly between rolling quartzite hillocks, the lake basin was originally created by bunding a natural mountain depression to collect monsoon run off.

Under the Faridabad Smart City mission, advanced bio remediation, clay lining, and modern waterfront walking promenades are restoring the lake to its former natural glory.

Truth is, watching the sunset cast golden reflections against the rugged Aravalli cliffs from the high bund is deeply refreshing.

Aravalli Nature Trails & Birdwatching Habitat

The Ridge Nature Trails: Rocky hiking tracks through dense dhok and acacia woodland provide adventurous morning walks for fitness enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

Avian Wildlife: The wooded basin provides shelter to resident birds including kingfishers, cormorants, Indian rollers, and colorful sunbirds.

Surajkund & Faridabad Tourism Circuit

Faridabad Ecotourism Link: Sits just 10 km south of the ancient 10th century Surajkund Lake and 5 km from Farid Khan's Tomb in Old Faridabad.

NCR Weekend Circuit: Connects smoothly with Raja Nahar Singh Palace in Ballabhgarh (10 km), Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary (8 km), and Lotus Temple in New Delhi (20 km).

After enjoying the scenic valley views at Badkhal Lake, visit the ancient sun reservoir at Surajkund, explore Raja Nahar Singh Palace, or tour Faridabad.