Steeped in mythology, legendary Karna Taal in alarming distress

In the heart of Karnal city lies Karna Taal Park, a site steeped in mythology and history, yet today it narrates a story of neglect. Associated with Raja Karna, the generous and valorous son of Kunti from the Mahabharata, this ancient site once symbolised devotion, charity and cultural pride.

As per a belief, Raja Karna would bathe in the water of the Taal every morning, offer prayers to the Sun God and Goddess Kali, and then donate gold in abundance. It is said that he gave away as much as 125 kg of gold daily to the needy. A pillar installed during the tenure of former Chief Minister Bansi Lal at the park’s entrance reaffirms this association. Locals also believe Karna had stationed his army around the pond during the epic battle.

People said decades back, there was a natural pond, ghats and a temple of Goddess Kali, but with the passing of time, the natural pond has turned into an artificial pond, and people still visit Goddess Kali temple. Broken swings, overgrown bushes, a dry artificial pond and defunct fountains stand as stark reminders of neglect.

An 18-ft statue of Raja Karna, built with six quintals of iron and 11 quintals of silicon fibre, stands in the middle of a dry pond. Fountains around it remain inoperative.

Between 2015 and 2017, the BJP government undertook a major renovation of Karna Taal, and spent nearly Rs 7 crore. The facelift included installing the statue, developing a water body spread across 2,280 sq metres and 1.3 metres deep, constructing a 14-ft-wide footpath, a six-ft jogging track, an open-air gym and musical fountains with LED lights. The project was carried out under the directions of then Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who had promised during his 2014 Assembly campaign to revive Karna Taal as a tourist hub.

Khattar laid the foundation stone on June 21, 2015, and inaugurated the site on December 14, 2016. On that day, he directed officials to install musical fountains with LED lights around the statue. The Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) later installed fountains with 182 LED lights.

Even before this, the Congress government had spent about Rs 40 lakh on beautification. Locals also recall that Sanjay Gandhi, son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, had inaugurated a park project decades ago that converted the site into a picnic spot. The residents express disappointment at the site’s current condition.

“This place is part of our heritage. Crores have been spent, but look at the dry pond and broken swings. The authorities should maintain it,” said Vijay, a resident.

“We hesitate to visit the park. The statue is grand, but everything around it looks abandoned. The government must hold officials accountable for this neglect,” added Sanjeev Arora, another local.

Officials, however, promise improvement. Vaishali Sharma, Commissioner, KMC, said that cleaning and horticulture works had been allotted and tenders for fountain maintenance would soon be floated. “I have visited the park and directed officials to ensure cleanliness and revive the facilities,” she said.