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Turquoise Quarry Lake

Bhardwaj Lake

Also Known As · Bhardwaj Jheel · Asola pit-lake (locally 'Khooni Jheel')

New Delhi, Delhi · lake

A blue-green quarry-lake at the end of a rugged Aravalli forest trek — otherworldly rock-and-water wilderness inside Delhi, strictly for careful hikers.

Closed Saturday & SundayEntry Fee: ₹100Access via the Asola Bhatti sanctuary, weekdays only, roughly 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last tickets by early afternoon); the lake is a multi-km trek inside — be out before dusk

Bhardwaj Lake is one of Delhi's most surprising and demanding wild spots — a vivid turquoise-green lake set against pale, sharply cut Aravalli sandstone, hidden deep inside the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary on the Southern Ridge near the Delhi–Faridabad border. It is an accidental lake: this stretch of ridge was heavily (and often illegally) quarried for decades for sand and stone, and after mining was banned and the sanctuary notified, the abandoned pits slowly filled with rain and groundwater, turning otherworldly blue against the scarred rock. It is the best known of a cluster of such pit-lakes here.

Get Directions

Where to Eat Nearby

Nearby Vegetarian Eats

Saravana Bhavan, Saket

10 km away
casual

Pure-vegetarian South Indian dosas and thalis

Haldiram's, Tughlaqabad / Badarpur

12 km away
casual

Pure-vegetarian North Indian thalis and chaat

Sagar Ratna, Saket

10 km away
casual

Pure-vegetarian South Indian dosas and idlis

About

Bhardwaj Lake is one of Delhi's most surprising and demanding wild spots — a vivid turquoise-green lake set against pale, sharply cut Aravalli sandstone, hidden deep inside the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary on the Southern Ridge near the Delhi–Faridabad border.

  • It is an accidental lake: this stretch of ridge was heavily (and often illegally) quarried for decades for sand and stone, and after mining was banned and the sanctuary notified, the abandoned pits slowly filled with rain and groundwater, turning otherworldly blue against the scarred rock.
  • It is the best known of a cluster of such pit-lakes here.
  • For prepared trekkers, cyclists and photographers it is a rare taste of true wilderness within the city — the reward at the end of a multi-kilometre walk through Aravalli scrub forest that is home to leopards, nilgai, jackals, and over 190 bird and 80 butterfly species.
  • But it must be approached with real respect: this is a secluded, unmanned wilderness, not a maintained tourist lake.
  • The water is deep, cold and ringed by steep, unstable quarry edges — locals grimly nickname it the 'Khooni Jheel' after drownings — so swimming and even entering the water are strictly out of the question.
  • For vegetarian travellers, plan to eat on the way in or out — Saravana Bhavan and Sagar Ratna in Saket and Haldiram's near the Tughlaqabad/Badarpur approach are the pure-veg options.

Practical notes

access is only through the Asola Bhatti sanctuary, which is closed on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and open roughly 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays, with a sanctuary entry of about ₹100; private vehicles are banned inside, so it is on foot or bicycle, several kilometres each way. Go early, in a group and never alone, carry plenty of water (there are no shops, toilets or reliable signal inside), keep to known trails, heed Forest Department rules, and be out well before dusk. A BNHS-guided nature walk is the safest way in. Allow half a day.

Timings & Entry Fee

Visiting Hours

  • • Sanctuary weekdays ~9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last tickets early afternoon)
  • • Closed weekends (Sat & Sun)
  • • The lake is a multi-km trek inside — be out before dusk
Days OpenMonday – Friday (via the sanctuary)Weekly OffSaturday & SundayEntry Fee₹100Time NeededHalf a day (multi-km trek each way)

Entry Fee: Asola Bhatti sanctuary entry about ₹100 per person; the lake has no separate ticket. Guided BNHS nature walks carry their own fee. Weekdays only.

Verified: July 2026

Location & How to Reach

Address

Inside Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern Ridge, near the Delhi–Faridabad border, New Delhi, Delhi, 110044

Deep inside the Asola Bhatti sanctuary, Southern Aravalli Ridge

📍 Get Directions🗺️ View on map

🚇 Nearest Metro: Badarpur Border (Violet Line) — about 12 km, then a cab to the Asola/Tughlaqabad side

🚶 Walking from Metro: No metro is near — take a cab from Badarpur Border (~12 km) to the sanctuary gate, then trek several km inside.

Distance from

  • • Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL): 24 km (~55 min)
  • • Connaught Place: 22 km (~55 min)
  • • Badarpur Border metro: 12 km (~30 min)

Parking

nearby · ₹20–₹50 (paid)

Park at the Forest Department gate; private vehicles are banned inside the sanctuary.

🚕 Ride Hailing Tip: Uber and Ola reach the Tughlaqabad/Asola sanctuary gate; from there it is on foot or bicycle only.

How to Reach: Bhardwaj Lake is deep inside the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary on the Southern Ridge, near the Delhi–Faridabad border. Nearest practical metro: Badarpur Border (Violet Line), about 12 km, then a cab toward the Tughlaqabad/Asola side. From the Forest Department gate it is a multi-kilometre trek or cycle — private vehicles are banned inside.

Things to Do

  • Trek in through the Aravalli forest
  • Photograph the turquoise water and cut rock
  • Birdwatch and spot butterflies en route
  • Join a BNHS-guided nature walk
  • Explore the wider pit-lake belt with a guide

Best Time to Visit

Best SeasonOctober to MarchBest Time of DayEarly morning, right after the gate opensTime NeededHalf a day (multi-km trek each way)Crowd LevelsVery low — a remote wilderness spot for trekkers and photographers

History & Significance

History

Bhardwaj Lake is an accidental lake: for decades this stretch of the Southern Ridge (the Bhati Mines) was heavily quarried for sand and stone.

  • After mining was outlawed and the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary was notified (from 1986, with Bhati lands added in 1991), the abandoned pits gradually filled with rain and groundwater, turning turquoise against the pale cut rock.
  • It is the best known of a cluster of such pit-lakes on the ridge.

🏛️ Architect: No architecture — a raw quarry-pit lake. Its visual signature is stark: pale, sharply cut Aravalli sandstone walls and terraces (relics of blasting) dropping into vivid blue-green water, with scrub forest around the rim.

Significance

Bhardwaj Lake is a striking example of ecological recovery — a scarred mining pit reborn as a turquoise waterbody inside one of the last remnants of Delhi's Ridge forest — set in the 32-sq-km Asola Bhatti sanctuary on the Aravalli leopard corridor, and prized by trekkers and photographers for its rock-and-water scenery.

Places to Visit Nearby

Garden of Five Senses

8 km away

A 20-acre themed leisure garden of sculptures, spice beds and cafés.

Chhatarpur Temple

10 km away

A vast marble Shakti-peeth temple complex to Goddess Katyayani.

Surajkund

7 km away

A 10th-century Sun reservoir and February crafts-mela grounds nearby.

Family & Accessibility

Kid Friendly1of 5Stroller AccessNoWheelchair AccessNoChanging RoomNoPet PolicyNo

Family Highlights

  • • A vivid turquoise quarry-pit lake
  • • A rugged Aravalli forest trek
  • • 190+ bird and 80+ butterfly species en route
  • • Rare true wilderness inside Delhi

Photography & Drone

Drone PolicyProhibited

💰 Equipment Fees: Free for personal photography; drones prohibited in the sanctuary.

📍 The Golden Spot: The turquoise water against the pale cut-rock cliffs in soft morning light.

🌅 Best Light Time: First light, soon after the sanctuary gate opens.

Tips & Safety

⚠️ Common Scams

Serious water and wilderness hazards

The lake is deep, cold and ringed by steep, unstable quarry edges — locally nicknamed the 'Khooni Jheel' after drownings — and the forest is remote, with leopards present, no signal and no facilities.

Official AdviceNever enter or swim in the water. Go only in daylight, in a group, ideally on a BNHS-guided walk; keep to marked trails, carry water, tell someone your plan, and leave well before dusk.

💡 Insider Tips

🌅 Secret View: The pale quarry terraces dropping into blue-green water are the 'otherworldly' shot the lake is known for — but stay well back from the crumbling edges.

🎯 Crowd Hack: It is remote and lightly visited by design; a guided weekday walk is the safest and most rewarding way to see it.

💎 Secret Fact: Bhardwaj Lake is an accidental lake — an abandoned Aravalli quarry pit that filled with water after mining was banned and the Asola Bhatti sanctuary was notified.

⚡ Express Tour

Not a quick stop — the trek in and out alone is several kilometres.

🔭 Deep Dive Tour

Half day — a guided sanctuary trek to the pit-lake belt.

🙏 Etiquette & Dress Code

Do's

  • Trek in through the Aravalli scrub — the walk is the main draw
  • Photograph the turquoise water against the cut-rock cliffs
  • Birdwatch and spot butterflies along the trail
  • Go early, in a group, and start the return well before dusk
  • Prefer a BNHS-guided nature walk for safe access

Don'ts

  • Do NOT enter or swim in the water — it is deep, cold and has killed swimmers
  • Do not trek alone or after dark — people get disoriented in the forest
  • Do not visit on a weekend — the sanctuary is closed
  • Do not go without water — there are no shops, toilets or reliable signal

👕 Dress Code: Sturdy trekking shoes, full-cover clothing, a hat and plenty of water; a first-aid kit is wise.

📷 Photography Rules: Personal photography is welcome; the turquoise water against cut rock is the signature shot. No drones in the sanctuary.

Good to Know

💳 Money & Connectivity

UPINoCardsNoCashYes

🏧 Nearest ATM: Carry cash — no ATMs inside; nearest are toward Tughlaqabad/Badarpur.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get to Bhardwaj Lake and what are the timings?

Access is only through the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, which is open weekdays only (closed Saturday and Sunday), roughly 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with about a ₹100 entry; from the gate it is a multi-kilometre trek or cycle, as private vehicles are banned inside.

Can you swim in Bhardwaj Lake?

No — absolutely not. The water is deep, cold and ringed by steep, unstable quarry edges, and it has claimed lives (locals call it the "Khooni Jheel"); never enter or swim in it.

Is Bhardwaj Lake safe to visit?

Only with care — it is a remote, unmanned wilderness with leopards, no facilities and no reliable signal. Go early in the day, in a group and never alone, keep to marked trails, carry water, and be out well before dusk; a BNHS-guided walk is the safest option.

Which is the nearest metro to Bhardwaj Lake?

Badarpur Border on the Violet Line is the practical railhead, about 12 km away; take a cab to the sanctuary gate, then trek several km inside.

What is Bhardwaj Lake?

It is a turquoise-green lake that formed accidentally in an abandoned Aravalli quarry pit inside the Asola Bhatti sanctuary — a striking example of ecological recovery and a rugged trek prized by hikers and photographers.

Where can I eat vegetarian food near Bhardwaj Lake?

Plan to eat on the way in or out — Saravana Bhavan and Sagar Ratna in Saket and Haldiram's near the Tughlaqabad/Badarpur approach are the pure-veg options; there is no food inside the sanctuary.

Categories

Nature & Outdoors

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#quarry-lake#asola-bhatti#aravalli-trek#turquoise-lake#wilderness#weekdays-only
Bhardwaj Lake, New Delhi — TasteYatra