Haryana The Wonderland of

Vibrant Culture, History and

Heritage
By Manish Pandeyon Sep 12, 2014 7:18 am

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Imagine a state in India where how wealthy an individual is judged by the
number of cattle the individual has! Where the golden rays of the rising sun
penetrate the verdant fields and the chirping of birds lend a sweet music to the
ears. The hookas, the cows, the khaats, the milk, the paddy fields, the colorful
festivals..Yes, it is Incredible Haryana, also known as the The Home of Gods.
Haryana shares its borders with several states of India like Rajasthan, Delhi,
Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. The state is a visitors delight
because of its friendly people, pleasant climate, lush forests, beautiful fairs,
translucent lakes, ancient monuments, serene landscapes, lip-smacking food
and more. The list does not end here as there is a plethora of things to do and
see things that you will certainly cherish and make you FALL IN LOVE with
Haryana
Lets Explore the Dazzling Gems of Haryana
The majestic state of Haryana has progressed leaps and bounds over the years
which can be largely attributed to the large number of tourist attractions at its
disposal; many of these attractions have religious and historical importance and
are effectively maintained and developed by the states tourism department. As
a result, the state has been able to captivate the attention of the travelers who
visit the region to marvel at the several awe-inspiring splendors of this quaint
state.
Kurukshetra land of the historical battle of Mahabharata
 Nestled at the banks of the pious River Saraswati and River Godavari, the sacred
Kurukshetra city is situated in Kurukshetra district of Haryana. It is in this place
where Lord Krishna narrated the divine Bhagvat Gita to Arjuna during the epic
battle of Mahabharata. A trip to this city offers a wonderful opportunity to
marvel at the unique culture and remarkable history of Indian civilization. Some
of the popular tourist attractions of Kurukshetra that entice the visitors to the
magnificent state of Haryana are:
Jyotisar
Brahmasrovar
Sannehit Sarovar
Gurudwara Rajghat
Sheikh Chehlis Tomb
Kurukshetra tenders a great insight into the splendor and grandeur of ancient
India and the memories of this city will remain etched in the heart forever.
[Also read: Chitrakoot Exploring Footprints of Lord Rama ]
Badkal Lake Get Up Close and Personnel with Nature
It is one of the most prominent and well known picnic destinations of Haryana.
The lake is enveloped by lush green gardens and offers a tranquil ambiance. The
lake was constructed in 1947 with the motive of offering tourists a beautiful
place where they can enjoy a fun-filled time with their near and dear ones. The
pristine lake is one of the popular weekend getaways visited by the tourists.
There are various options for the tourists as they can enjoy boating, swimming
and angling.
Kingdom of Dreams Enjoy a Day in Indias Extravagant Cultural and
Entertainment Center
It is popular as Indias luxurious entertainment, leisure and theatre destination
that offers a unique display of Indias culture, heritage, theater and performing
arts. Located in the city of Gurgaon in Haryana, it is spread across 6 acres and
takes the people into a spectacular world beyond their imagination. Kingdom of
Dreams also has a Nautanki Mahal, which is one of the most spacious and
advanced auditoriums in India. The auditorium seems like a majestic palace of
any king and can easily accommodate more than 800 people. Everything you
see here will be a larger than life experience for you. For example, if there is a
show going on the delectable cuisines of India, then you will be astonished to
know that you can actually smell the aroma of food items.
[ Also read: 25 Wonders of India ]
Panipat Reminiscent of Epic Battles
 The historical city of Panipat is situated around 90 kms from Delhi on the banks
of the sacred Yamuna River. It is an ancient land where the battles of Panipat
were fought. It is believed that the city was founded by the Pandavas during the
period of the Mahabharata. Some of the popular destinations in Panipat that are
frequented by the tourists are:
Panipat Museum
The Old Fort
Kabuli Shah Mosque
Grave of Ibrahim Lodhi
Devi Temple (a temple dedicated to the local deity)
A trip to these major tourist destinations of Panipat will offer long-lasting and
unforgettable memories. Panipat is also famous as one of the major producers of
blankets and other stunning handloom textile products that have a huge
demand not only in India but also many parts of the world.
Ambala Get Immersed in Picturesque Beauty and Breathtaking Scenic
Panorama
 Ambala is one of the prominent cities of Haryana as the base of air force and
military is located here. There are lots fascinating attractions in the city that
entice the visitors from various parts of India and world.
Manji Sahib Gurudwara
Sis Ganj Gurudwara
Badshahi Bag Gurudwara
Municipal Park
Hathi Khana Mandir
Udyan Garden
Patel Park
Rang Mahal
Apart from being a major tourist destination, the city is also a pivotal hub of
many industries like cotton ginning and food processing.
Gurgaon Fastest Growing Industrial and Financial Center of India
 If one has to see the rapid progress Haryana is making, then he or she must visit
Gurgaon. You will be really amazed to see that most of the leading brands of
India have set up their offices here. The towering shopping malls are a perfect
example of growth the state is making. The city also has a historical connection
because the legend has it that Guru Dronacharya gave spiritual knowledge to
the Pandavas and the Kauravas here. One of the major attractions of the city is
the Shitala Mata Mandir considered to be the goddess of small-pox. The temple
is flocked by several tourists all around the year to get rid from the small pox
disease and to seek the blessings of the Goddess. There are various other
tourist attractions in the city, which must be in the bucket list of every tourist:
Damdama Lake
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
Leisure Valley Park
Kingdom of Dreams
Museum of Folk and Art
Heritage Transport Museum
Sheesh Mahal
Faridabad Industrial Hub of Haryana
 Just 28 kms from Delhi, Faridabad is an emerging industrial and commercial hub
of Haryana. The city is surrounded by the enchanting Aravalli Hills that certainly
charm the visitors. A walk in the green pastures of these hills is a memorable
experience that must not be missed. There are many striking attractions in the
city:
Surajkund Lake
Badkhal Lake
Camp Wild
Baba Farid Tomb
Raja Nahar Singh Palace
One of the major crowd pullers in Faridabad is the Suraj Kund Fair, which is
organized every year in the month of February. In the fair, a rich collection of art
and craft products belonging from various states of India is displayed.
Bhiwani City of Temples
 Bhiwani is a spiritual place also known as Chota Kashi because it is replete with
lots of temples devoted to various Gods and Goddesses. The divine and holy
ambience of the temples offers a great peace of mind to the visitors. The
popular temples of Bhiwani are:
Jain Temple
Hanuman Mandir
Shri Rang Nath Mandir
Star Monument
Gauri Shankar Mandir
Jogi Wala Mandir
Shri Ram Pathshala and Sri Ram Mandir
All in all, a visit to Bhiwani will surely provide a great spiritual and mental peace
to the tourists.
Hissar City of Steel, Textile and Automobile Industry
 Located around 64 kms from Delhi, Hissar was one of the largest districts in
Haryana before it was divided into two new districts known as Bhiwani and Sirsa.
Hissar was founded by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, a Turkic Muslim ruler of the Tughlaq
Dynasty, in the 14th century. There are plenty of historical monuments and
other attractions in Hissar, which are worth a visit.
Feroz Shahs Palace
Baholshahs Mosque
The tomb of Chalis Haliz
Ashoka Pillar
The district boasts of the largest automobile and spare parts market (in terms of
radius and area). The Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University
(One of the biggest agricultural universities in Asia) is also located in Hissar.
Karnal Rice Bowl of India
 Karnal is around 120 kms away from Delhi and was named after Karna, the
eldest son of Kunti in the Mahabharata and hence it is also known by the name
The City of Daanvir Karna. The city is an abode of many renowned Research
and Development Institutes such as Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI),
National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Central Soil Salinity
Research Institute (CSSRI), National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), and
Directorate of Wheat Research (DWR). The major tourist attractions of the city
are:
Karnal Fort
Pukka Pul
Noor Mahal
Cantonment Church Tower
Karnal Lake
Karnal is also well known as the Rice Bowl of India because various kinds of
basmati rice are produced here. This city is also the birthplace of Kalpana
Chawla, the first Indian-American astronaut and first Indian woman in space who
was killed in the space shuttle Columbia in the year 2003.
Raja Nahar Singh Palace Marvel Antiques and Relics of Bygone Era
The grand Raja Nahar Singh Palace is nestled in Ballabhgarh town in Faridabad
district of Haryana. This palace was constructed by Rao Balram, who was the
ancestor of the Jat Raja Nahar Singh. During the revolt of 1857, Jat Raja played a
pivotal role in Indias struggle for independence from the Britishers. The
Ballabhgarh Fort Palace magnetizes the tourists with its breathtaking
architecture. It has now been converted into a highly capacious hotel to promote
Haryana tourism. The hotel leaves no stone unturned to make the stay of its
guests comfortable by offering world class facilities and services.
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary Paradise for the Bird Watchers

Located around 48 km from Delhi, Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon is an

empyrean for birdwatchers and photographers. The park is nestled in an area of
about 1.43 sq km where the tourists can get a wonderful chance to see various
species of both the resident and migratory birds. The different species of
avifauna that can be seen in the park are black necked stork, cattle egret, Indian
roller, white throated kingfisher, red collared dove, rock pigeon, great flamingo,
striped snipe, spot billed pelican, spotted redshank, wood sandpiper, black tailed
godwit, black crowned night heron, comb duck, blue-cheeked bee-eater, etc.
The best time to visit the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is between November and
March when the climate is salubrious.
[ Also read about other popular national parks & wildlife sanctuaries in India ]
Haryanas History and People

Haryanas 5000 year old history is replete with myths, legends, valor and glory.
The sacred Vedas were written here and very few people know that the state is
the birthplace of the Universe. Lord Krishna narrated the sermons of Bhagwad
Gita here and it was on this land where the great saint Ved Vyas wrote the
Mahabharata in Sanskrit.
The people of Haryana are very humble and friendly. In the villages of Haryana,
one can find joint families like tau tai, bhabhi-devar, mama-mami, nana-nani
living together in the same home. Even today, the important decisions are taken
after consulting with the parents. The people of Haryana live a very simple life,
are very straight forward and hard working.
Tickle Your Taste Buds with Finger Licking Cuisines of Haryana
The food..how can one ever forget savoring the mouth watering cuisines of
Haryana? The breakfast of the people is not termed as complete unless they are
served with dahi or lassi. The home made butter is popularly known
as nooni or tindi in the state. Bajra Ki Khichdi is a famous delicacy, which is
prepared with millet porridge and eaten with Kadi or Ghee. Bathua Ka Parantha,
which is prepared with green leafy Bathua is eaten with tamarind chutney or
Dahi (curd). The other finger licking food of Haryana include Kachri ki Sabzi,
Bajra Aloo Roti Makhan, Churma, Malpuas, Bathua Raita, Besan Masala Roti,
kheer, Methi Gajar, Singri ki sabzi, Mixed dal, Mithe chawal. The desserts contain
Gajar ka Halwa, Kheer and Rabri made from wheat flour and buttermilk.
Festivals and Fairs of Haryana- A Perfect Example of History and Traditions of
the State
Surajkund Mela
Suraj Kund village in Haryana is at a distance of 20 km from Delhi. The village is
famous for its handicraft fair held between the 1st and the 14th of February.
Craft men sell potters, embroiderers, weavers, wood carvers, metal workers,
stone smiths, and painters. For entertainment there are folk dancers, musicians,
and magicians.
[ Also know about other popular festivals of India ]
Teej

Teej is one of the famous festivals of Haryana and is usually celebrated on the
third day of Shrwana month. The festival is celebrated with great pomp and
enthusiasm all over the state. Swings are set up in the gardens and the girls
apply heena on their hands. On Teej, it is a tradition that the parents gift new
clothes to their children. The pooja is performed in the morning. In the evening
many women and girls dressed in colorful clothing engage in singing and
dancing.
How to Reach Haryana
By Air: The nearest airport is at Chandigarh, which is well connected with all
the major cities of India. The next closest airport is the Indira Gandhi
International Airport in New Delhi. The tourists can take private cabs or taxis
from outside the airport to reach their desired destination.
By Rail: An excellent network of trains connects Haryana with the prominent
states and cities of India.
By Road: Haryana has a very good road network and the buses of Haryana
Roadways provide an easy access to the other parts of the state. Besides buses,
auto rickshaws and cabs are also available as a perfect means of transport.
The Last Words
It is not wrong to say that a visit to Haryana takes you back to your childhood
days and you can enjoy a memorable time in the lap of nature, fill in your lungs
with unadulterated air, get an opportunity to enjoy a bullock cart ride, savor
delectable cuisines, get to know about folk traditions and so on. COME AND GET
IMMERSED in the vivacious culture of Haryana.

Heritage Tourism

In Haryana, you hear the echo of the past everywhere.

Haryana bears the footprints of kings and warriors, saint and sages, sufis and savants. The continuity of its rich past
has been unbroken through ages, with legends of the epic heroes and places of pilgrimage like temples, sarovars
and dargahs. The resilience of the spirit of its people finds resurgence against a continuous back-drop of invasions
and battles triumphs and conquests!

Being the gateway of North India, Haryana has witnessed many ancient to modern wars ranging from Shuks and
Huns to Akbar and Humayun and Babar's at Panipat to the decline of Mogul empire leading to British rule.
Excavations of various archaeological sites like Nauragabad, Mittathal, Rakhi Garhi and several others bear out
evidence of pre-Harrappan and Harrappan culture. Findings of pottery, sculpture and jewellery at Pehowa,
Kurukshetra and Panipat sites match with Prithudaka (Pehowa), Tilpat (Panipat) and Sonprastha (Sonipat), establish
the to occurence of Mahabharata war.

Haryana Tourism has developed several heritage sites with ethnic grandeur and has created excellent tourist facilities
at these historical places in and around Panchkula and Palwal.

Panchkula

Yadavindra Gardens (Pinjore)

Bhima Devi Temple