Main Tourist Places in Haryana

Haryana Tourist Destinations of Haryana Kurukshetra Location: North India Climate     Summer 470(max)    Winter 50(min) Best time to visit: October to March Vedas are the primary texts of Hinduism. The 5000 year old history of the ancient scriptures or revelations of Hindus are compiled by the Indian saints (Rishis). Haryana is one the most important and favorite place for them because of its glorious and most living religion history. That is why it is considered as a birthplace of ancient Indian Vedic Civilization. It is the place where Lord Krishna taught us the importance and role of Karma and Dharma in our life through Bhagwad Gita. Here Hindu’s great Rishi Ved Vyas wrote Mahabharat in Sanskrit on the banks of river Sarswati. So, it was the home of the legendary Bharata dynasty, which gave India its Hindi name, Bharat. Mahabharata records the epic battle between the Kauravas and Pandavas which took place at city Kurukshetra of Haryana. Recent archeological excavation in Kunal and Banawali, are adding more to our knowledge of Haryana's history. In the 3rd century BC, the area was incorporated into the Mauryan Empire. It later became an important power base for the Mughals, the battle of Panipat in 1526 established Mughal rule in India. The area was ceded to British in 1803. In 1832 it was transferred to the then North-Western Provinces. In 1966, with the passage of the Punjab Reorganization Act, Haryana became India's 17th state.

Geography  It is the 16th largest state in area and population. It can be divided into two natural areas sub-Himalayan Terai and Indo-Gangetic plain. The plain is fertile and slopes from north to south with a height above the sea level, averaging between 700 and 900 ft. South-west of Haryana is dry, sandy and barren. Haryana has no perennial river. The only river which flows through Haryana is the Ghaggar, which passes through northern fringes of the state. So this state has a very fertile land and is called as the Green Land of India. Haryana was carved out of the Indian state of Punjab on 1st November 1966. The state has boundaries with Uttar Pradesh on its eastern border, Punjab on its western border, Himachal Pradesh, Shivalik Hills on its northern border and Delhi, Rajasthan, Aravali Hills on its southern border. Capital of India, Delhi is landlocked on 3 sides by Haryana. Tourism Haryana has been the hub of social and cultural activity in India, even before the time of Vedic Civilization. Given its unique geography, the state of Haryana was witness to the invasions of the Muslim rulers, battles of the Marathas and the Sikhs. Hindu saints, Buddhist monks and Sikh gurus have traversed Haryana, spreading their messages of universal love and brotherhood. Some of the other tourist complexes in Haryana are Badhkal Lake, Dabchik, Jungle Babbler, Karna Lake, Kala teetar, Surajkund and Yadvindra Gardens at Pinjore. The internationally famous Surajkund Crafts Mela is held every year in the month of February, to promote Indian arts and handicrafts. The 'Mango Festival' and the 'Kurukshetra Festival' have also become popular annual events. Haryana has a rich variety of craft, folk dances and fairs & festivals. Some of the major tourists attractions are:- Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary founded by Dr. Salim Ali is situated 16 km from Gurgaon and 46 km from Delhi. During winter birds migrate from as far as Siberia and Europe. The important species found in the park are saras, crane, spot bill, ruddy shel duck, rosy pelicans etc. Over 100 species have been identified in this Sanctuary. There are hide outs, watch towers and a museum of sorts for those keen on serious study. Guest rooms, restaurant, family cottages, bar, water towers and catering wing, for bird watchers and tourists. The best time to visit here is November-February. Sheetala Devi Temple this famous Hindu temple is located one and a half kilometers in the suburbs of Gurgaon near a pond. Also referred to as a 'Shakti Peeth', the presiding deity of this temple is Mata Sheetala Devithe goddess of small-pox. It is held in great esteem throughout this part of the country. It is visited by a large number of pilgrims, especially during the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April). During this period also, the rush is exceptionally heavy on Mondays. The only exception to the rush in the temple is in the Hindu month of Shravana (July-August). Sheetla Devi Mandir is also a favored place amongst the devotees for the purpose of the "mundan" (shaving off the heads) ceremony of their children. Kurukshetra town lies in the North Eastern part of Haryana State and is about 160 Kilometers North of Delhi, 39 Kilometers North of Karnal and 40 Kilometers South of Ambala. There are about 360 Tirthas of religious and historic importance. The foremost among the Kurukshetra tirthas are Brahmsarovar or Kurukshetra Tank, Sannihit Tank, Sthanesvra Mahadev Mandir, Jyotisar, Baan-ganga, Bhisam Kund (Narkatari) Chandrakupa, Nabhi Kamal, Bhadarkali Mandir, Arnai Temple, Prachi Tirath Pehowa, Saraswati Tirath Pehowa, Prithduk Tirath Pehowa, Rantuk Yaksh Bir pipli, Karan Ka Tila, etc. There are other historical places like Sheikh Chehli's tomb and Madrasah, Pathar Masjid and Chini Masjid. If all the spots make it a religious and historical place on the other side some other like Kurukshetra University, Regional Engineering College, Ayurvedic Medical College, Science Museum (Panorma) etc. are the famous places that make the modern Kurukshetra. Damdama Lake on the old Delhi - Alwar Highway, 64 km from Delhi is located the Damdama Lake, in the form of an amoeba. The lake, held back by an embankment, is fed by monsoon rivulets dropping into a national trough at the base of the Aravalli ranges. The Aravalli hills provide a picturesque backdrop to the placid lake, which has facilities for canoeing, kayaking & angling. Its structural form is as much a part of the background as the Aravalli ranges. With green keekar trees sprinkled over, the inlets and, pennants of a camp proclaim Damdama as the home of adventure sport. There are facilities for boating and hot air ballooning. Bhindawas Sanctuary Bhindawas Sanctuary in district Jhajjar is around 15 km from Jhajjar town and is about three and a half hours drive from Delhi. The lake and the birds in it are the main attraction of this complex. The Sanctuary is spread over an area of 1074 acres which makes it considerably larger than the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. The peripheral embankment is man made and basically constructed to store the escaped water of Jawaharlal Nehru canal through an escape channel at the time of power failure of Lift Canal System. The Bhindawas Lake is being used by the migratory and resident birds of about 250 species. The best time to visit is December-January when you can view the maximum number of birds. The winter timings are 6:30 am - 5 pm and in summer from 6 am - 6 pm. All in all, this is an excellent site for birders and bird watching. There are many species of water birds near the canal even before reaching the sanctuary. A vehicle track goes all around the lake. The government officials at the sanctuary are quite knowledgeable and keep a track of the various birds that visit the lake. There are two watchtowers on the edge of the lake, and the whole lake full of birds is visible from there. Even the areas surrounding the sanctuary have a large variety of birds. Since it is difficult to get close to these birds, photographing them is difficult unless one owns an expensive camera with powerful lenses. Blue Peafowl, White-throated Kingfisher, Rose-ringed, Great Egret, Eurasian Collared Dove, Mallard, Crested Lark, Jungle Babbler, Ashy Prinia etc are some of the more common birds found in this sanctuary. In addition to the above birds, the antelope Neelgai (Blue Bull) and Jungle Cat can also be seen in this sanctuary. How to reach Haryana By Air: The main airport of the state is in its capital Chandigarh. Which is well connected with the cities of North India. Some parts of Haryana is also very close to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi which also provides an easy access to the state. By Rail: The main railway station is Chandigarh. Apart from that, Delhi has four Railway Stations, which are within approachable distance from any part of Haryana. By Road: Haryana can boast of an excellent road network to and from the state. Some parts of the state are within the National Capital Region and are at a short driving distance from Delhi. A good network of National Highways and State Highways also serves other parts of the state.  Courtesy:- Haryana Tourism department