Also Known As · Suraj Kund · Lake of the Sun
Faridabad, Haryana · monument
A thousand-year-old amphitheatre of stone that once harvested the monsoon for a Sun-worshipping king — and today hosts India's biggest crafts mela.
Surajkund — literally the 'Lake of the Sun' — is one of the oldest surviving man-made reservoirs in the Delhi-NCR region, an extraordinary 10th-century water-harvesting monument set against the Aravalli hills just south of Delhi in Faridabad district. Generally attributed to King Surajpal of the Tomar dynasty, its great semicircular, amphitheatre-shaped stone embankment — about 130 metres across, tiered with steps and terraces — was designed to capture the monsoon runoff pouring down from the surrounding ridge. Surajpal was a devotee of the Sun God, and a Surya temple is said to have once stood on the western bank; carved temple stones have been recovered from the site, and the steps were later refurbished in lime mortar under Feroz Shah Tughlaq.
Pure-vegetarian South Indian dosas and filter coffee
Pure-vegetarian North Indian thalis
Pure-vegetarian chaat, thalis and sweets
Surajkund — literally the 'Lake of the Sun' — is one of the oldest surviving man-made reservoirs in the Delhi-NCR region, an extraordinary 10th-century water-harvesting monument set against the Aravalli hills just south of Delhi in Faridabad district.
the reservoir grounds are open daily, roughly sunrise to sunset, and free or nominal to view; the February Mela is separately ticketed and extremely crowded, so arrive early and carry water. Nearest metro: Sarai or Badarpur Border (Violet Line), then a short auto. The Aravalli terrain is uneven, so wear sturdy shoes, and note the water body is a heritage structure — not for swimming. Allow about an hour, or a full day during the Mela.
Visiting Hours
Entry Fee: The reservoir is free/nominal to view. The February Surajkund Crafts Mela is separately ticketed (approx ₹120 weekday / ₹180 weekend, with concessions).
Verified: July 2026
Address
Suraj Kund Road, off Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, near Anangpur, Faridabad, Haryana, 121009
On the southern Aravalli ridge, Faridabad district
🚇 Nearest Metro: Sarai (Violet Line) ~2 km; Badarpur Border (Violet Line)
🚶 Walking from Metro: Best reached by a 10–15 minute auto/cab from Sarai or Badarpur Border metro; the ridge terrain is not a comfortable walk from the station.
Distance from
Parking
on-site · ₹20–₹50 (paid)
Ample parking, especially during the Mela; limited facilities off-season.
🚕 Ride Hailing Tip: Uber and Ola reach the Surajkund grounds via the Mehrauli–Badarpur road; a short auto from Sarai or Badarpur Border metro.
How to Reach: Surajkund is on the southern Aravalli ridge in Faridabad district, about 8 km from South Delhi. Nearest metro: Sarai (Violet Line) ~2 km, or Badarpur Border, then a 10–15 minute auto/cab. Well connected by the Mehrauli–Badarpur road; Mela shuttles run in February.
History
Surajkund is an amphitheatre-shaped reservoir generally attributed to King Surajpal of the Tomar dynasty in the 10th century.
🏛️ Architect: A semicircular, amphitheatre-shaped stone embankment about 130 metres across, tiered with steps and terraces (later refurbished in lime mortar under Feroz Shah Tughlaq) — an early rainwater-harvesting reservoir set against the Aravalli hills.
Significance
Surajkund is one of the oldest surviving man-made reservoirs in Delhi-NCR — a rare example of 10th-century rainwater-harvesting engineering with Sun-worship heritage — and lends its name and grounds to the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, one of India's largest handicrafts fairs.
A revived Aravalli lake near Faridabad with hill views.
The massive 14th-century Tughlaq citadel across the ridge.
A medieval Tomar-era masonry dam in the Aravalli hills.
Family Highlights
💰 Equipment Fees: Free for personal photography.
📍 The Golden Spot: The full sweep of the tiered semicircular embankment at first light.
🌅 Best Light Time: Early morning and late afternoon.
🌅 Secret View: From the top of the western embankment you can read the whole amphitheatre curve and the line of the old Sun-temple bank.
🎯 Crowd Hack: Visit off-season for near-solitude; during the February Mela come at opening to beat the queues.
💎 Secret Fact: Its tiered stone reservoir was engineered in the 10th century to harvest Aravalli monsoon runoff for a Sun-worshipping Tomar king.
⚡ Express Tour
45 minutes — a loop of the embankment and the Sun-temple bank.
🔭 Deep Dive Tour
Full day in February — the Crafts Mela, then Badkhal Lake.
👕 Dress Code: No dress code; sturdy shoes and sun protection for the open ridge.
📷 Photography Rules: Personal photography is free; the tiered embankment is the signature shot.
🏧 Nearest ATM: ATMs toward Faridabad Sectors and Badarpur (within 5 km).
The heritage reservoir grounds are open daily from around sunrise to sunset and are free or nominal to view. The February Surajkund International Crafts Mela is separately ticketed (about ₹120 on weekdays, ₹180 on weekends).
Sarai on the Violet Line is about 2 km away, and Badarpur Border is also close; take a short auto or cab from either.
It is a 10th-century amphitheatre-shaped Sun reservoir built by the Tomar king Surajpal — one of Delhi-NCR's oldest water-harvesting monuments — and the grounds of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela held every February.
Every February (typically the first two weeks), the Mela fills the Surajkund grounds with handicrafts, handlooms, folk performances and regional vegetarian food from across India and abroad.
No — Surajkund is a heritage reservoir that is largely dry and seasonal, meant to be admired for its architecture; it is not a swimming or boating spot.
Faridabad nearby has reliable pure-veg options — Dasaprakash for South Indian, plus veg thali eateries along the Surajkund–Badkhal road and Haldiram's.
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