Surajkund
Surajkund | |
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Location | Surajkund, Faridabad |
Coordinates | 28°29′02″N 77°16′58″E / 28.48379°N 77.28270°E |
Type | Reservoir |
Basin countries | India |
Settlements | Faridabad |
References | [1] |
Surajkund is an ancient
There are 43
It is an important biodiversity area within the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor stretching from Sariska Tiger Reserve to Delhi. Historical place around sanctuary are Badkhal Lake (6 km northeast), Anangpur Dam (16 km north), Damdama Lake, Tughlaqabad Fort and Adilabad ruins (both in Delhi), Chhatarpur Temple (in Delhi).[9] It is contiguous to the seasonal waterfalls in Pali-Dhuaj-Kot villages of Faridabad,[10] the sacred Mangar Bani and the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary. There are several dozen lakes formed in the abandoned open pit mines in and around the area. Surajkund falls inside the leopard habitat.[11]
Another 'kund' by the same name as 'Suraj Kund' existed in
Location
Surajkund is located near the Surajkund village between the villages of Badarpur and Lakkarpur in
History
Paleolithic era (100,000 BP)
In the forested area where the Surajkund and the Anagpur Dam are located, ancient
Paleolithic tools, rock paintings and rock art found in 2021 at various sites scattered inside the Mangar Bani might be extension of Anangpur-Surajkund paleolithic sites.[8]
Medieval history
According to
Tomara dynasty (8th - 11th century CE)
Anangpal I, first king of Tomara dynasty (c.736- 1052 CE), declared himself an independent ruler and established the Tomar Rajputs of Delhi in the early 8th century.[17] He built his capital in this village and expanded his kingdom from there. He is said to have built numerous palaces and temples during his reign, the majority of which are diminished now.
Last king of this dynasty was
The capital of Tomars changed a few times during the course of 457 years they ruled in the northern India. The first capital of the Tomar empire was Anangpur while the last one was Dhillikapuri (Delhi, Lal Kot).[19]
Though historians have not specifically alluded to this tank, it is also said that it was built in 686 AD by Suraj Pal (after whom the tank is probably named) son of Anang Pal I. It is in the form of a segment (semi circular) with the chord on its west side.[13] Another theory for the name 'Suraj' suffixed to the kund (lake) is that it was named after the Sun Temple that existed on the east side of the lake.[4] Archaeological excavations have revealed existence of a Sun temple here based on ruins that can be seen even now. Certain carved stones were recently recovered from the reservoir. Some stones have also been re–used in subsequent restoration works. Historians also claim it was named after King Surajpal himself who built it.[3][5][18] It is also said that Suraj Pal built this lake for his daughter.[20]
Chauhan dynasty (12th century CE)
The Tomara's rule was followed by that of the Chahamanas and the
Sultanate era renovation (1351–88 CE)
During the
Post-independence of India (1947 onward)
Even though the Tomar dynasty vanished in the 12th century, the Surajkund has not been affected. It attracted the attention of the Haryana Government to develop the area as a tourist spot by introducing an annual crafts 'Mela' or "fair" titled "Surajkund Crafts Mela" in the precincts of the lake, which over the years has attracted wide publicity and become an iconic event.[22]
Surajkund
Architecture of Surajkund
The reservoir has been built in the shape of the rising sun with an eastward arc. It is enclosed within a steep embankment made in semi-circular shape made of stepped stones. Rain fall was intercepted here to create a reservoir of 130 m (427 ft) diameter to meet the water shortage in Delhi. It has an area of 40 ha (99 acres). The reservoir provides a grand spectacle, and in the past it was the hunting forest resort. It abounds in dancing peacocks.[3] The reservoir is filled up during every monsoon season but remains dry during summer, before the onset of the monsoon rains. The tank underwent major repairs in the 1920s during the British times.[18][20][22]
Anagpur Dam
Peacock lake
Peacock lake, downstream and southwest of Surajkund, is delightfully beautiful.[23]
Surajkund International Crafts Mela
In the backdrop of the lake, during the spring season, every year from 1–15 February, (in 2018, it is from 2-18 February) a colourful traditional craft festival of India is held on 40 acres of land in the precincts of Surajkund which is attended by all states of India along with several dozen other nations and over 1.2 million visitors including 200,000 foreigners.[6] This fair was first started in 1987.[24][25][26] Traditional craftsmen (artists, painters, weavers and sculptors) from all parts of the country participate in this annual celebration named as the "Surajkund Crafts Mela" or "Surajkund designer's Village". Designer items created by 50 best designers and craftsmen in wood, metal, bamboo, iron, glass, textiles and stone can be seen here. This Mela (fair) is visited by lovers of arts and crafts from all over the world. The fair is held with a different theme every year on Indian culture and crafts.[5][27]
The theme, specific to a state of India, is depicted at the entrance to the Mela grounds and provides an ambience of that particular state with characteristic colors, materials, architecture, furniture and decorations. The crafts on display in the stalls (400) is of particular crafts of that state. The Mela also includes a food festival covering some of the popular cuisines from different parts of the country. Entertainment in the form of famous rhythms and dance of folk theatre are also held here during the festival.[5]
During 2009, with
Concerns and conservation
Ban on illegal mining
Damage to the catchment area
The storage in the upstream Anangpur Dam, downstream Surajkund and Peacock lake has been seriously affected The catchment area which contributes water flows into the Surajkund (lake) from villages, such as Anangpur, Lakkarpur, Ankhir and Meola Maharajpur, has been used for extensive mining and for large habitations. This has disturbed the drainage system and thus obstructed the gravity flow of rain water from the basin into the reservoir. This has also affected the flora and fauna of the area.[32] The Surajkund lake's drainage basin is part of the Aravalli hill ranges. It is fed from the north western side by a local nullah (stream) that initially feeds the Anagpur dam on the upstream, this dam was built by Samrat Anangpal Tomar.[13][14]
Leopard corridor
Surajkund falls inside the leopard habitat of Delhi and Haryana which often get killed due to being hit by the vehicles on the Gurugram-Faridabad Road as there is no wildlife crossing underpass or overpass.[11]
Wetland rehabilitation
Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is close to the Surajkund. Mine pits in this area have been converted to wetland habitat, which will improve the ground water regime in the area.[33]
Protected status
As of 31 July 2021, Head of HAD, Ashok Khemka, informed that the whole area will be extensively surveyed to find any additional sites, entire area of Delhi South Ridge of Aravali in Haryana between Gurugram and Faridabad will be mapped and each site will be GPS tagged. Large scale scientific excavations, scientific dating of paintings and excavated sediments will be undertaken. A proposal to notify this entire area as protected archaeological site has been sent by Haryana Archaeological Dept (HAD) to Govt of Haryana (GoH), and HAD is awaiting gazette notification by the GoH.[8]
Gallery
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Looking from first raised platform towards the second raised platform.
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Raised platform at Surajkund at which sun temple was situated.
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Suraj Kund View
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Suraj Kund View
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Buddha Statue
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Sale of Potters
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Cyclists biking in Surajkund
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Charminar "Surajkund"
Wildlife in this area
This is one of the area where leopards of Haryana frequent.
Other water bodies of Haryana and Delhi NCR
- Gurugram Bhim Kund
- Bhakra Dam
- Hathni Kund Barrage
- Tajewala Barrage
- Okhla Barrage - Western Yamuna Canal begins here.
See also
- Ancient sites of Haryana
- Anangpur monuments and prehistoric sites
- List of Monuments of National Importance in Haryana
- List of State Protected Monuments in Haryana
- List of Indus Valley Civilization sites in Haryana
- Stepwells of India
- Rani ki vav, UNESCO heritage listed
- List of stepwells in India by states
References
- ^ "Suraj Kund Lake".
- ^ )
- ^ a b c d "Ticketed Monuments – Haryana: Suraj Kund". National Informatics Centre, Government of India. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
- ^ )
- ^ a b c d e f "The Fair". Retrieved 5 September 2009.
- ^ a b c "29th Surajkund International Crafts Mela Ends". Ndtv.com. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
- ^ )
- ^ a b c Rush for protected tag to Faridabad site where stone age cave art found, Times of India, 31 July 2021.
- ^ ASOLA BHATTI WILD LIFE SANCTUARY Archived 16 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Department of Forest, Delhi Government
- ^ पाली गांव की पहाड़ियों पर डैम बनाकर रोका जाएगा झरनों का पानी
- ^ a b Leopard Killed After Being Hit By Vehicle In Haryana's Faridabad, NDTV, 29 July 2021.
- ^ "Places to Visit". Sunam & Suraj Kund. National Informatics Centre. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ a b c d Prabha Chopra (1976). Delhi gazetteer. Delhi (Union Territory). Gazetteer Unit. p. 1074. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
- ^ a b c "Surajkund". Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ Singh p.185
- ^ Hindus didn’t record their history right. Indraprastha’s foundation, age still uncertain. In Sawaneh-i Dehli, Mirza Ahmad Akhtar Gorgani explores the history of Delhi and how revered the city has been in Indian history., MIRZA AHMAD AKHTAR GORGANI, The Print, 18 January, 2024.
- ^ Thapliyal, Uma Prasad (1987). Gazetteer of Rural Delhi. Gazetteer Unit, Delhi Administration. p. 413.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4067-5201-4.
- ^ Tomars of Delhi by Harihar Niwas Dwivedi. Gwalior: Vidya Mandir Publications. 1983.
- ^ a b "Suraj Kund". Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ D. C. Ganguly (1981). R. S. Sharma (ed.). A Comprehensive History of India (A. D. 300-985). Vol. 3, Part 1. Indian History Congress / Orient Longmans. p. 704.
- ^ a b "A village goes global". How it all began. Tribune. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
- )
- ^ "34th Surajkund International Crafts Mela - The Statesman". The Statesman.
- ^ "32nd Surajkund International Handicraft Mela 2018". BookMyShow.
- ^ Surajkund mela to be opened today, Punjab kesari, 1 Feb 2019.
- ^ "Haryana". Surajkund Designer's Village. National Informatics centre (NIC). Archived from the original on 23 March 2009. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
- ^ "Surajkund hosts Madhya Pradesh fashion show". Thaiindian News. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ "Ethnic n' Exotic, Exquisite n' Exclusive ..A Kaleidoscope of Indian Handicrafts, Handlooms and Folk Traditions". Come February'2009. Haryana Tourism, Government of Haryana. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
- ^ "China to showcase artifacts in Haryana's Surajkund fair | Business Standard News". Business Standard India. Business-standard.com. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
- ^ Sinha, Saurabh (31 October 2002). "Ecological havoc in Aravali hills". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ "Not a drop of water in Surajkund lake since 5 years: 'rampant mining to blame'". 20 February 2009. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
- ^ "Asola Bhatti Wild Life Sanctuary". Delhi Government. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
External links
- Surajkund Mela Haryana Tourism
- Surajkund in Sunam
- Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2017 Archived 5 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine