Surajkund: How To Have The Perfect Weekend Getaway

The whole world is talking about long weekends and ignoring the humble weekend, which is just as much a chance for some well deserved celebration. So, on an ordinary weekend of February, what do you do to get away from the maddening rush and the pace of a place like New Delhi?

This is the question that led me to discover one of the most intriguing marvels one can find around Delhi. The aim was to get away for the weekend, discover a new place and hopefully find a comfortable accommodation with the best service possible.

The simplest of Google searches brought up ‘Surajkund’ which is famous for its annual handicrafts fair, which is being held from 1^st February to 15^th February this year. What was interesting was the fact that the fair is in the vicinity of the Surajkund Lake; one of the largest man-made reservoirs in India, built in the 10^th century by the Tomar King Suraj Pal. 

How to Get There?

I live in the Panchsheel Enclave area of New Delhi which is a mere 15 - 20 kilometers (using the Tughlakabad - Faridabad road) from the lake. So, it was a perfect drive after a tiring day at work.

The temperature was a comfortable 20-22 degree Celsius; quite pleasant by the Indian winter standards! I loaded up luggage for two days, my family (pun intended) and left home at about 4 pm. As soon as we left, we were hit by the first snag - the infamous Delhi traffic that we all know of very well. This makes it all the more important to book a good accommodation (ideally in advance) which can help you relax and rejuvenate after a short yet strenuous drive.

Where to Stay?

My obvious choice in accommodation was the Vivanta by Taj, at Surajkund. the reviews and ratings available online helped in providing a first-hand summary of what to expect and what not to expect in the property.

The first thing that hit me about the Vivanta was the aptly described sylvan surroundings, the tastefully decorated reception and the warm welcome by the staff. We chose two deluxe rooms with balconies and promised to catch at least one sunrise (We were able to catch two, yay!).

The Surajkund Lake

The lake in Surajkund, shaped in the form of the sun, is actually a man-made reservoir. It served as the main rainwater harvesting point for the Tomar dynasty. Mirroring an amphitheater in its basic layout, one can even walk down the steps till the main water body. Our guide also took us to the site of the ancient Sun Temple for which this reservoir was built. The intricately carved steps and symmetric architecture left us in awe.

We also got to check out the many Stone Age settlement points that have been unearthed around the reservoir area courtesy the locals who guided us around after some persuasion. The Anagpur Dam, which is just 2 kilometers away is a must-visit and is said to be much older than the Surajkund Lake itself.

Although Surajkund is mostly considered as a one day or half-day tour, our  two day trip gave us ample time to explore this fascinating little town at an easy pace and relax and rejuvenate. At the end of the trip, we were recharged to take on the routine grind!

C’mon, get the hint and plan a perfect getaway to Surajkund for any one of the upcoming weekends in February!