Chandigarh	Faridabad	Gurgoan	Wildlife
How to get there	How to get there	How to get there	Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
Rock Garden	Badkhal Lake	Sheetala Devi Temple
Sukhna Lake	Baba Farid's Tomb	Sohna
The Open Hand Monument	Suraj Kund Tourist Complex	Damdama Lake

CHANDIGARH

Chandigarh, the 1st planned modern city of India designed by the French architect Le Corbusier serves as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. However, the city does not belong to either state. Chandigarh was constituted as a union territory on 1st November, 1966 and is administered by the Government of India. The city is named after the mother goddess of power, Chandi, and a fort or 'garh' beyond the Chandi temple. The city is divided into 47 numbered sectors. It has well-laid roads lined with rows of trees and beautifully planned buildings. Against the backdrop of the Siwalik mountains, the city looks charming. Chandigarh experiences extreme climate. Best time to visit this place is October to March.

How to get there

Air: Chandigarh is linked to Delhi twice-weekly (Wednesday and Friday )by Indian Airlines flights from Delhi and to Amritsar. The airport is 11 kms from downtown. Taxis are available for airport transfer.

Train: Chandigarh is linked with its principal gateway city, Delhi. Chandigarh railway station is 8km from the city centre in sector 17. The twice-daily Shatabdi express to Delhi is fast, comfortable and air-conditioned. Food served on the train is included in the fare. Other important and long distance trains are also connected from various parts of the country.

Road: Chandigarh is well-connected by road and buses provide an important transport link. There are services from various states such as- Haryana, Punjab, Himachal, and Delhi. It is a gateway to Himachal Pradesh as one can reach hill stations like Kasauli, Chail, Shimla etc within in a few hours drive. The hill stations Kullu & Manali with Rohtang Glacier are accessible from Chandigarh.

Tourism Contact List

Haryana
http://haryanatourism.com/contactus.asp

Chandigarh

Address	Phone	Fax	E-Mail ID
Chandigarh : Head Office : 17-19, Sector 17-B, Chandigarh	Telephone: 0172-2702955-56-57.	Fax : 2703185	info@haryanatourism.com, htcchd@sancharnet.in

Delhi Office

Address	Phone	Fax	E-Mail ID
Delhi Office : Haryana Govt. Tourist Bureau, 36, Janpath Chanderlok Building, New Delhi.	Telephone: 011-23324910-11.	Fax : 011-23713373.	haryanatourism74@hotmail.com

Rock garden
The Rock Garden sprawling over 64 acres is a strange but unique garden- an artists dream, build by one man's effort, love, ingenuity and skill. Nek Chand who was an ordinary public works department employee of the Chandigarh administration, conceived the idea of the garden as a solution to the disposal of city waste and domestic garbage. There are no flowers or plants in this garden. The garden was created sector by sector with rocks and discarded objects like bottle tops, fluorescent lights, mud guard, tin cans, broken glass etc which Nek Chand meticulously collected from door to door. The creative artist built, dolls and figures of birds, men and women and set them along a maze of paths. He was duly honored and appointed as the director of the garden. The garden is open from 10.00 a.m to 7.00 p.m all days except Thursdays and official holidays.

Sukhna Lake
Sukna lake an artificial, manmade lake spread over 3 square kilometers on the northern border of Chandigarh is the venue of the Asian rowing championships. The tree-shaded shores is a favorite spot for strolling and bird watching. From December through February, one can see many species of aquatic birds from Central Asia and Siberia. Sukhna lake has facility for renting rowing boats and there is also a children's park.

The Open Hand Monument
Open Hand monument in the Capital Complex in sector 1, is made of a metal sheet, 14 metres high and weighing 50 tonnes and rotate freely in the wind from a high concrete pedestal. Some times it resembles a bird in flight The design of this giant hand emblem was conceived by Le Corbusier. The symbol stands for peace and unity - 'Open to give - Open to receive'. It is official emblem of the city.

FARIDABAD
Faridabad is a southeastern town in the state of Haryana founded in 1607 AD by Sheikh Farid, Emperor Jehangir's treasurer. Sheikh Farid built a Fort and a mosque and slowly the town grew with refugees from Pakistan at partition. Now Faridabad is the most populated and industrialized city in the whole of Haryana. Faridabad alone is generating about 60% of the revenues of Haryana with its large number of industrial units. There is a belief that it was Baba Farid, an eminent Sufi saint, who founded Faridabad.

How to get there

Badkhal Lake
TIt is located in Badkhal village, 32 km from Delhi. The lake fringed by Aravalli hills is a man-made embankment. A flower show is held every spring here. It’s name is most probably derived from the Persian word bedakhal, which means free from interference. Close to Badhkal lake is the Peacock Lake, which is another picturesque spot.

Baba Farid's Tomb
The city of Faridabad is believed to have been named after Baba Farid, an eminent Sufi saint. There is a also a belief that it was he who founded Faridabad. His tomb in the town is a popular pilgrimage spot for the local people.

Suraj Kund Tourist Complex and The Crafts Fair
Situated at a distance of around 8 Kms from South Delhi, it is an ideal picnic spot. The Suraj Kund Lake here is surrounded by rock cut steps. Built by rajput king Surajpal Tomar, Suraj Kund represents the rising sun. Ruins of a Sun temple lie around the lake. The complex includes a beautifully done-up Rajhans, a pool of fresh water - Siddha Kund; its waters said to have healing properties and a garden.

A delightful handloom and handicrafts fair is held here annually in February. Skilled artisans from all over the country display the rich crafts tradition of India in the typical setting of a rural Indian marketplace. Cultural programmes like folk dances, magic, acrobats and rural cuisines are also a part of this colorful fair. One can also see traditional crafts being made and buy them direct from the craftsmen. Food is served in Banana leaves and clay pots.

GURGOAN
Gurgaon is a district head quarter in Haryana and the heart of a major industrial area. Gurgaon has developed into a large and flourishing town because of its vicinity to New Delhi which is about 30 Kms from here. Gurgaon also known as 'Guru Gram' or 'Guru Gaon' (village of the spiritual teacher) was named after Dronacharya, a character in the Epic Mahabharata. It is said that Guru Dronacharya of the Pandavas and the Kauravas gave spiritual instructions to them at this place. Till Independence it was industrially backward, but now a large number of industries like Maruti, Atlas Cycles etc have sprang up in this area. Real estate is booming here with new buildings coming up at an astronomical pace.

How to get there

Air: The nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport, at New Delhi
Road: The state transport buses connect Gurgaon to neighbouring cities with in the state and in neighboring states.
Local Transport: Taxis, metered auto-rickshaws, private buses and state buses.

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.

Sohna
Sohna is known for its hot springs. Haryana Government has built a Barbet Hut complete with its own sitting area and an attached kitchen for tourists. A motel wing has air-conditioned rooms for stay. A four bed dormitory, family huts and simple camper huts have been built for every-budget tourists. In February every year, a Statesman Vintage Car Rally to the Sohna hill is held and Haryana Tourism celebrates the day with a mela event.

Damdama Lake
Located a few kilometers South of Gurgaon off Alwar road. There is a adventure resort Water Banks, with deluxe tents along the lake side. There are facilities for boating and hot air ballooning.

Wildlife

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
Located at a distance of 46 kms from Delhi, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is a haven to a variety of domestic and migratory birds. Artificial mound, have turned into a green glade. The marsh has been converted into a water body. And with the years, hundreds of species of migratory birds have winged in to stay. Winter brings in birds from as far as Siberia. Flock of geese from Europe wing in too. The local birds flap in. The bird population include darters, egrets shovellers, gadwell and geese dominate. Teals, kingfishers, lapwings, sandpipers demoiselle cranes and such like water birds nestle in. Over 100 species have been identified here.

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuarywas a haunt of our very own birdman Late Dr. Salim Ali: And, innumerable bird watchers who come in to observe bird antics. There are hide outs, watch towers and a museum of sorts for those keen on serious study. Guestrooms and catering wing, await the patrons.

Location: Delhi - Jaipur highway ( 46 km from Delhi)
Season: September to March is the best time to visit.
Reaching There (Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary)
By Air: Airport - Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (35 km) Palam Domestic Airport, Delhi (35 km) The nearest airport from Sultanpur is the Indira Gandhi International Airport and Palam Domestic Airport in Delhi at a distance of just 35 km. Indira Gandhi airport is connected with most of the important international destinations by regular flights of the major airlines. Palam Domestic Airport is connected to almost all the major cities in India by regular flights of the Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, and Sahara Airlines apart from the other small domestic airlines.
By Rail: Railway Station - Gurgaon Railway Station (15 km) Gurgaon is the nearest railway station connected to Delhi and many places in Haryana and Rajasthan by regular trains. New Delhi, Nizamuddin, and Old Delhi railway stations are important railway links from where one can get trains to almost all parts of the country.
Staying There (Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary): Inside the park, the Haryana Tourism Development Corporation runs a tourist lodge that has air-conditioned as well as general rooms. The facilities there include a bar, restaurant, and cottages for the guests. One can also stay in any of the large number of hotels at Delhi or Gurgaon and go to Sultanpur for a weakened or day trip.

PLACES OF HISTORIC IMPORTANCE

The present state of Haryana is identical with the ancient Brahamvarta, the regions where the great Vedic civilization found fruition. The state is full of ancient sites. In every district of the state there are a number of places associated with important historical events.

Rohtak
Rohtak is identified with 'Rohitaka' mentioned in the Epic Mahabharatha. It may have been the capital of Bahudhanyaks (land of plenty) under the Yaudheyas. Yaudheya territory extended over tracts in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Rohtak is strategically situated on the route from the north - west through Delhi gateway to the broad fertile Gangetic plains. The archaeologists found traces of the Indus valley civilization here. Rohtak is now one of the largest towns in Haryana and is inhabited by lot of refugees who came after the partition in 1947.

Bahadurgarh (Jhajjar)
Bahadurgarh was founded by Rathi Jats and formerly known as Sharafabad. It is situated twenty-nine Kilometres from Delhi and had developed into an important industrial centre.

Asthal Bohar
This place is famous for its math (monastery). The monks or jogis of this math claim to be the spiritual descendants of Buddha's earliest Bhikshus. They represent the Nath cult which originated as one of the Mahayana forms of Buddhism. Ancient finds of large and sculptured bricks, stone images and idols have been found here. The math runs a number of educational and charitable institutions.

Gohana
Gohana in olden times was called Gavambhavana and was a place of pilgrimage. The place is said to be site of a fort built by Prithviraj Chauhan. This fort was destroyed by Ghori when he defeated Prithviraj in 1192A.D. Gohana was till recently a tehsil of Rohtak. Now it has been made a part of the new district of Sonepat.

Jahazgarh
It is a small town, situated about 15 km from Jhajjar. An Irish adventurer, George Thomas founded it and built a fort here called Georgegarh which was later changed to Jahazgarh. An annual cattle fair is held here and it attract buyers and sellers from Haryana and out side.

Jhajjar
The town is said to have been founded by one Chhaju and Chhajunagar was changed to Jhajjar. It is also derived from Jharnaghar, a natural fountain. A third derivation is from Jhajjar a water vessel, because the surface drainage of the country for miles around runs into the town as into a sink. Jhajjar is now an important tehsil of Rohtak district.

Sonepat
In the Mahabharatha, Sonepat is referred as one of the five pats or prasthas which were demanded by Yudhishtar from Duryodhana. Archeologists have found evidence to indicate it to be a town of great antiquity. There are also a number of legends connected with this place. For many years, Sonepat was a flourishing sub division of Rohtak. Now it is a separate district. It is one of the largest industrial towns in Haryana.

Rewari
The town of Rewari is said to have been founded by a nephew of Prithviraj Chauhan, Raja Karampal about 1000A.D. The present town was built by Raja Rawat who named it after his daughter Rewati. The fort of Gokalgarh and the Rao Tula Rama's palace at Rampura are within a few kilometers of Rewari. Rewari was detached from Gurgaon district and joined with the neighbouring Mahendergarh under a plan of district reorganization by Haryana Government.

Palwal
Palwal is identified by the Hindu pandits with the Apelave of Mahabharatha, of the Pandava kingdom of Indraprastha, tradition associates with the same period the high mound of the old site of the Aharwan, a village, few kilometers to the south-west. The oldest part covers a high mound formed by the accumulated debris of many centuries, lately habitation and streets have taken up part of the plain below.

Agroha
Agroha has been famous place in the Haryana. It is situated about twenty-kilometers north-west of Hissar on the road to Fatehabad. It has many old mounds to the north-west of the town. They occupy an area about two hundred and sixty hectares which indicates the past glory and sprawling extent of the place. Now Agroha is one of the important towns in Haryana.

Sugh
A small village situated at a distance of about five kilometers to the east of Jagadhari in Ambala. The ruins where once this important historical town was situated suggest that it was a naturally formed strong hold in a triangular form with large number of projecting citadels on all the three angles. The city covered an extent of twelve square kilometers and included Jagadhari and Chameti on the west and Burya and Dyalgarh on the north. It lay on the important routes of northern India connecting the upper Punjab with the Genetic valley via Ambala, Saharanpur and Meerut. It was a great centre of trade and was frequented by all kinds of people - traders, invaders, pilgrims, princes and common people.

Karnal
Karnal takes its name from its founder Karna, the Mahabharatha hero and rival of Arjuna. It remained in obscurity and appear to have played no important part till the end of the Pathan period.

Panipat
Panipat goes to great antiquity to the Mahabharatha period. It was one of the five pats the Pandavas demanded from the Kauravas. During the Muslim period, Panipat became the hub of politics, being the scene of three decisive battles that changed the fate of the country. Panipat has the distinction of being the birth place of famous Urdu poet Altaf Hussain Hali. The principle historical building at Panipat is Dargah Qalandar Sahib. Panipat today is an expanding industrial town of Haryana.

Kaithal
Kaithal is said to have been founded by the legendary hero Yudhishtar. It is also associated with the monkey -god Hanuman. Its Sanskrit name being Kapisthala -abode of monkeys. Akbar built a fort here.

Thanesar
The capital of Harshavardhana early in the 7th century A.D, it was sacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1014 and recovered by the Hindu Raja of Delhi, it remained desolate for long. The Sanyahet tank at Kurukshetra is a famous pilgrim centre. The mosque adjacent to Sheikh Chishti's tomb, is a beautiful specimen of Muslim architecture and marble carving, and is famous for the blue and yellow tiling on its roofs and cupolas. There is a temple associated with the Kauravas and Pandava. Jotisar, where Lord Krishna gave the inspiring message of Gita is close by. Kurukshetra is one of the most sacred places of India.

Pehowa
It is an ancient town not far from Kurukshetra has been a centre of pilgrimage for ages. It is on the, left bank of the sacred Saraswati, twelve kilometers from Thanesar.

Ambala
Ambala was founded in the fourteenth century by one Amba Rajput hence its name. It is more likelt that the name is a changed version of Ambwala or mango village, judging from the mango groves that exist here. In 1859 Ambala became the head quarters of a district and division formed under the Punjab administration. It still maintains its dual status.

Pinjore
It is situated 20 kilometers from Chandigarh. Pinjore is famous for its gardens which is a beautiful example of the terraced gardens of the Mughals. The Pinjore Gardens lie on the Ambala Simla road, near Kalka. It is planned by a Fidai Khan in the region of Jehangir. At present the garden belongs to Haryana to whose share it came, in1966 at the time of formation of the state. Haryana government has spent considerable sum of money on the improvement of the garden and buildings. The results has been quite breathtaking.

Hissar
Hissar was the biggest district in Haryana. It has now been spilt in to three - the new districts being Bhiwani and Sirsa. The towns of Fatehabad and Hissar were founded by Firoz Shah Tughlak in the 14th century. Its historical monuments include the minarets of Jama Masjid, Feroz Shah's palace, the summer house outside the fort, Baholshah's mosque, the tomb of Chalis Haliz and the Ashokan Pillar. The district has made striking progress during the last few years both in agriculture and industry. The Haryana Agricultural university and the Government Live stock farm (biggest in Asia) are located here. Hissar is now the head quarters of the second division in Haryana.

Sirsa
One of the oldest towns of Haryana, Sirsa is named after the Shirish Ban, a large forest which once existed here. The place was founded by clearing this forest. Sirsa finds mention in the Mahabharatha, Nakul one of the Pandava brothers, proceeded to Sirsa after conquering Rohtak.

Hansi
Hansi was founded by one Asa Ram Jat came to be known as Ashi and later it became Hansi. Hansi has played an important part in the history of Haryana during the mediaeval period. It has been the centre of several political conflicts. It was an important administrative unit during the Mughals. Later it became famous as the capital of the Irish adventurer George Thomas.

Bhiwani
This is an important town in Haryana. As a result of the reorganization of the districts, it has now become headquarters of a district. It was a very important business and commercial centre. The archeological discoveries at Mitathal suggest that this area was a part of the Harappan Civilization.

Mahendragarh
This town and its surrounding villages are said to have their origin in the days of Raja Anangpal, ruler of Ajmer and the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan. Other parts of the district came into being during the Mughal time. Later this area came successively under the control of the Marathas, The Nawab of Jhajjar and the British. Recently its Dadri Tehsil has gone to Bhiwani but Rewari from Gurgaon has been added to it.

Reference:
http://www.webindia123.com/

Home Page

Archives | Links | Search
About Us | Feedback | Guestbook