Karna Lake

Karna Lake is a man-made tourist lake and Haryana Tourism resort located on National Highway 44 at Karnal, Haryana, about 125 km from Delhi. Developed and maintained by Haryana Tourism, it is associated with Karna of the Mahabharata, after whom Karnal is believed to be named. The lake features boating facilities, landscaped gardens, and a tourist complex with accommodation and dining, serving as a popular highway stopover between Delhi and Chandigarh.

Visitors can expect a large artificial lake surrounded by landscaped gardens and walking paths, with pedal and row boating facilities on the water. The site includes a Haryana Tourism tourist complex with a restaurant, resort accommodation, and seating areas. It is a well-maintained highway stopover with open green spaces for picnicking, photography and leisurely walks, and views of the lake and fountains.

Local tradition associates the lake with Karna, the warrior figure of the Mahabharata, who is believed to have bathed in the lake. The city name Karnal is said to derive from Karna Tal, meaning Karna's Lake. The present lake and tourist complex were developed by Haryana Tourism as a highway tourism and recreation facility.

The lake is linked to Mahabharata folklore and forms part of Karnal's cultural identity. It serves as a prominent recreational and social gathering place for local residents and travelers on the GT Road corridor.