HARYANA

FAST FACTS

State Capital:                                   Chandigarh

Population ('000s in 1991):          16,464

Area ('000 sq. km):                         44

Principal Language:                      Hindi

Haryana  is the 16th largest state in area and population. This state has a very fertile land and is called as the Green Land of India. . The state is bounded by Uttar Pradesh in east, Punjab in west, Himachal Pradesh in north and Rajasthan in south. Union Territory of Delhi is landlocked on 3 sides by Haryana.

Haryana can be divided into two natural area 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. For most of the year, climate of Haryana is of a pronounced character-very hot in summer and markedly cold in winter; temperatures can reach 47° C (117° F), and cold in winter. Winter temperatures range from 5° to 9° C (41° to 48° F), occasionally dropping to freezing.

Haryana has a single-chamber legislature with 90 seats. The state sends 15 members to the Indian national parliament: five to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and ten to the Lok Sabha (Lower House). Local government is based on 16 districts. Chandigarh is the shared capital of Haryana and Punjab.

Golf Tourism in Haryana.

Aravallis are old root mountains, 20 million years old, as compared to five million years young Himalayas. Is a unique geological feature, the antiquity if which adds to the magnificence of their existence. It is after these mountains in the close vicinity of Faridabad, that the course has been named Aravalli. The course has a club house which has facilities of bar and restaurant. Further expansion plan of the Club includes putting up a motel with 6 rooms, a lounge and a card room. 

Tee Off 

It is part of this fascination that has led Haryana Tourism to open its 9 hole Aravalli Golf Course facility. Developed and remodelled under the instruction of renowned golf authority from USA Mr. Stephen Kay, the course with its club house spreads over 67 acres and has a 9 hole facility, tees and greens

 THE KRAFT BAZAR:

The Kraft Bazaar is a completely new entity of Haryana Tourism that has been set up alongside the popular Oasis tourist complex. The Kraft Bazaar has beautifully designed huts/shops creating ambience of a traditional bazaar, paved paths and a tastefully landscaped environment. There are 48 shops, a stage for cultural programmes alongwith a green room for artistes, 2 exhibition halls for crafts, games for children, a welcome gate, foot paths and attractive lighting. Kiosk for ethnic fast food, children's park with fancy swings, office store, ticket counters and public convenience are other facilities being provided here. Before long, an amusement park for children will be set up in a specially ear marked area.

The Kraft Bazaar will operate round the year, with a change in craftspersons and festivities every 15 days. The Sri Ganesh Festival will be followed by the Dussehra Festival, the Kartik Festival, the Deepawali Festival, Guru Purav, Id Festival, Christmas Carnival and the Lohri Festival.

The main attractions at the Kraft Bazaar, are cane furniture (West Bengal), decoration items & readymade garments (Nagaland), artificial flowers (Nagaland), wooden items (Karnataka), artificial jewellery (Haryana), sandalwood & bone items (Haryana), phulkari suits (Punjab), terrakotta items (Haryana), tribal metal jewellery (Orissa), dabka, patch, applique suit (Uttar Pradesh), banarsi silk items, chicken items (Uttar Pradesh), glass jewellery (Delhi), handloom products (Haryana), artificial jewellery (Delhi), wood carving furniture(Uttar Pradesh), hand embroidery(Haryana), tin and foil painting, dabka embroidery (Haryana), handloom products (Uttar Pradesh) and straw picture (Kerala). Among the participating craftspersons hailing from different parts of the country, one is a National Awardee, one is a National Merit Certificate holder and 3 are State Awardees from Haryana.

HEALTH TOURISM:

NATURE LIFE CENTRE ASHRAM (PATTI KALAYANA DISTRICT PANIPAT, HARYANA

The Ashram was established in the year 1955 by a couple Shri Om Parkash Trikha and Mata Laxmi Devi Trikha which is dedicated in the service of humanity.  The centre is situated in Patti Kalayana village, about 70 kms. From Delhi on the Delhi-Shimla National Highway No.1.The centre received aids from The Ministry of Health, Govt of India and the Gandhi Memorial Funds of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.Surrounded by green fields, orchards and floriculture the centre has been developed in such a way that it gives the feeling of a true nature oriented atmosphere.

 The centre is famous for the treatment and cure of asthma, diabetes, gastritis ulcers, stone, obesity blood pressure, liver ailments etc. The treatment includes various natural therapies from soil, water, steam, fasting, physiotherapy, massage, etc.

The centre has all facilities for the patients such as General wards, special wards, rooms, dormitories, dinning hall etc. the accommodation is available at reasonable rates.

The centre has over the year ascertained a special status providing satisfactory treatment to thousand of patients through nature treatment with in the nature surroundings. For further information please contact: 0180-2569133, 0180-2569134

RURAL TOURISM:

Urusvati Museum of Folklore
Village - Shikohpu, NH 8, District Gurgaon, Haryana

We take pleasure in introducing you, the Urusvati Museum of Folklore located at "Madhram", Village, Shilkopur, N.H.8, Gurgaon, under the auspices of Urusvati Centre of Contemporary Arts and The Ford Foundation, New Delhi.

The museum is located amidst a Jasmine Garden and spread over five and half acre of lush greenery with the Aravalli Mountain Range forming a majestic backdrop. It is approximately 10 kilometers away from Hero Honda chowk on the way to Jaipur. This is the only Museum of it kind, which showcases the legendry love stories of country through trans-lights, dioramas, painting, prints and sculptures. 

It has also displayed the folk art and crafts along with costumes, jewelries, folk musical instruments and potteries etc. The museum also has  a souvenir shop, cafeteria and terracotta garden.

Since the Museum is on the way to Jaipur and represents the vast cultural heritage of the country; it is  a great attraction for the tourists, where they can stop for fifteen minutes to relax and see the Museum. A contribution charge of Rs. 25/- per person will be charged from the visitors. The Museum has ample parking space, which can easily accommodate three to four buses.

The Museum is open seven days a week from 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. except Mondays. For Booking and More information please call at 989858561 or 9811131266

ADVENTURE TOURISM:

Get swept off your feet and float in the air! Have a jeep pull you in to the air for short exhilarating ride under a Para Sail before floating back to mother earth; or take off from a mountain top and land in the valley below on a Para Gilder.

This is the easiest way available to get air borne for the Children and grown ups alike. The club holds regular parasailing at the Pinjore Aviation Club. This activity is also being conducted at Hisar, Karnal and Bhiwani air strips also and Adventure Club of Haryana Tourism is capable of undertaking this activity out of the state also on consultancy basis.
Rock Climbing deals with mastering the techniques and experienceing the thrills of climbing on exposed rocks which may be from only a few meters high boulders to a few meters high boulders to a few hundred meters high rock faces of different gradients. Rock climbing is indeed the basics of sound Mountaineering.These activties are regularly being conducted at Damdama, Tikkar Tal and Solang at Manali Adventure Camps

Ever thought floating down the river could be fun? It is when you go through rapids and small water falls, fighting the waves, feeling the sheer exhilaration of coming up toppers with complete safety.

A more personal form of rafting is the kayak in which you are on a one to one basis with the water, learn to make the Kayak/Canoe to respond to your every command, enabling you to move about like an eel through the water.

The snow fed waters of the river Yamuna. Its current before it plunges into the plains… have all helped to bring white water river rafting to Haryana. In the stretch from Paonta Sahib to Hathnikund in Haryana, the river Yamuna is filled with rapids of I and II degree intensity, which are ideal for amateurs.

Rafting down the Yamuna is a splendid experience. The rafters travel past the petering hills of lower Himalayas: Meander past quit stretches of the Yamuna, Fringed by forest, maneuvering rapids and shallows, till the flat lands of Kalesar arrive. The presence of the Kalesar Sal forest reserve and the Tajewala water-works close at hand, have opened some of the most splendid possibilities of Adventure holidays.

A delightful variation in water sport is canoeing and kayaking. When days are sultry, the sport beckons. For the one who craves to exercise, there is nothing like an half hour with a kayak. The sport can be done as two-some or alone with the safety of strapped-on life jacket. At each water front, there are experienced life guards to watch against adverse eventualities. Special water sport activities can be planned for students at Tikkar Tals at Morni Hills, Grey Pelican Yamuna Nagar and Damdama Lake.

PILGRIM TOURISM:

KURUKSHETRA:

Kurukshetra lies on the Delhi-Ambala stretch of the National Highway number 1. It has a history that goes back to times immemorial. The Purans tell stories of how Lord Brahma created the Universe from here. The legend of Shiva and Sati comes alive in the temples dedicated to the mother Goddess one sees here. The Mahabharata battle fought here extols innumerable places of pilgrimage, not to forget Kurukshetra as the land of Bhagwad Gita.

Kurukshetra town is easily accessible by state transport services. It is well connected by rail, with the Shatabdi train making a halt here. The nearest airport lies at Chandigarh, which is 116 km away. To reach Kurukshetra, one has to branch into Kurukshetra town along a state road, from the national highway at the Pipli cross-road. The unmistakable Kurukshetra Gate welcomes all pilgrims to this land of holiness.

The Brahma Sarover is the best place to begin the pilgrimage. This is a vast water body. In the centre of the tank stands the Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple looking like a lotus. The eastern section of the tank is 1800 ft long and 1500 ft wide while the western section is a square of 1500 ft length and 1500 ft breadth. The tank is 15 ft deep. This large waterbody is edged with 20 ft wide platforms, stairs and a 40 ft wide `parikarma'. In this section, a number of meditation chambers have been built for the convenience of pilgrims.

Belief is, that Lord Brahma conceptualised the site of the tank, giving it special sanctity. To bathe here on the days of an eclipse, amavasya (moonless night) or the kumbh is believed to absolve one of sins. The tank lies about 3 km from the railway station. A number of temples lie in close vicinity of this holy water body, of which the prominent one is the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. This temple lies opposite the Brahma Sarover. It is dedicated to Lord Narayan and His consort Lakshmi. The architecture of the temple belongs to the late 18th century, which adds a touch of history to the visit. The temple's tall pinnacle proclaims its presence from a distance.

Another water body of great sanctity is the Sannehit Sarover. It lies about 1 km from the Brahma Sarover. Legends tell us that the sarover was formed with holy water that flowed from Lord Brahma's navel. As such, to pray at the tank, to bathe or even touch it, here, brings blessings on pilgrims. Prayer and ablutions done here on the nights of amavasya (night of total darkness), eclipse or the Kumbh bestows blessings of a thousand ashwamedha yajnas say the learned. Prayers offered here for the ancestors holds special sanctity.

The sarover spreads 1500 ft in length and 550 ft in breadth. Bathing ghats and steps have been set up here for pilgrims. Temples dedicated to Dhruva Narayan, Mother Goddess Durga and Lord Hanuman can be seen here.

The town of Kuruksheta also holds great sancitity for the Sikhs. The town has been visited by a number of Sikh Gurus. As a result, a number of Gurudwaras can be seen here. The place where Guru Nanak stayed during his sojourn through Kurukshetra is known as Gurudwara Sidhbati. The Gurudwara dedicated to Guru Hargobind, the sixth guru, stands near Sannehit tank. On the bank of Brahma Sarover, stands Gurudwara Rajghat, built in memory of the visit of Guru Gobind Singh.

A touch of history and archaeology of the area can be seen at the Panorama project and the Sri Krishna Musuem setup near the Brahma Sarover. Besides a number of Dharamshalas and Sarais, Haryana Tourism provides facilties at its Krishna Dham Yatri Niwas.

JYOTISAGAR

Jyotisar, or the source of light and inspiration, is the birth place of the holy scripture Bhagwad Gita. The site lies some 12 km from Kurukshetra on the Pehowa road.

Jyotisar delights with its fine waterbody, bathing ghats and small temples. Here the marble image of Lord Sri Krishna and Arjun stand immortalised in marble: Lord Krishna explaining to Arjun, the doctrine of Karma through the Gita Updesh. A banyan (believed to be an off-shoot of the original tree under which the Lord gave His Sermon) gives shade to the area

THANESAR:

Thanesar is one of the most sacred places of Hindu pilgrimage. The town derives its name from the words Sthan-esvar or the abode of God (Mahadev). The town was once the centre of great learning. Today it is famous for the Sthanesvar Mahadev temple and the Ma Bhadra Kali Temple. It lies adjoining the town of Kurukshetra and is often called its twin town.

It can be said without a doubt that the presiding deity of Thanesar is Lord Shiva. It is after the Sthanesvar Shiva Linga Temple that Thanesar gets its name. Vaman Puran categorically mentions the importance of this temple and legends tell us that Lord Brahma Himself laid the first Linga of LordShiva at the temple. Renovated in recent times, the temple has a white amla (fruit shaped) dome. A large water body has been designed before the temple. A Gurudwara that lies opposite the Sthanesvar temple marks the spot sanctified by the visit of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

The famous Ma Bhadra Kali temple celebrates the legend of Sati Mata. It lies a short drive from the Sthanesar Mahadev Temple. The learned say Sati's lower limb fell here, granting the area the sanctity of a Sidh Peethor a place where wishes are fulfilled. The temple has been renovated with red stone and the inner sanctum has been beautified. At a well in the precincts, devotees offer terracotta horses as offerings in thanks-giving, each time their wishes are fulfilled. The inner sanctum of the temple houses both the awe inspiring and the sublime forms of the Mother Goddess Kali. Thousands of devotee throng the temple on the holy days of Navratre (March-April and September-October) and every Saturday.

PEHOWA:

 27 km west of Thanesar lies Pehowa town. Cunningham dates the place back to 882 AD. The town derives its name from King Prithu. On the death of his father says a legend, the King sat on the bank of river Saraswati, offering water to all visitors. As a result, the place came to be known as Prithudaka or Prithu's pool. The town which he afterwards built on the spot was called by the same name. With time, the town of Prithu came to be called Pehowa. Today, it is an ancient place of great sanctity, where prayer and `pind daan' for ancestors is believed to grant `moksha' or redemption from the cycle of birth and death.

Pehowa is also famous for temples devoted to Shiva and his son Kartikeya. Unlike the other temples, the temple dedicated to Shiva, has no linga. Instead, it has a panch-mukhi (5 faced) idol of Lord Shiva which is said to be one of its kind. Haryana Tourism runs its Anjan Yatrika Resort for pilgrims visiting Pehowa

PANCHKULA:

Closely connected with the worship of Lord Shiva but far more widely spread, is the worship of His Consort in the form of Shakti or the Mother Goddess. The Goddess goes by many names like Durga, Kalika, Chandi, Naina, Mansa, Sharda, Ambika, Kali and Bhawani among others.

The Shiwalik foot hills are studded with temples dedicated to various names of the Goddess. For a visit to these temples, one must drive into the modern city of Chandigarh.

About 8 km from the Chandigarh bus stand, lies the holy siddh peeth of Sri Mata Mansa Devi. Two temples have been built here. The temple on the mound has been built by the Maharaja of Patiala to commemorate his victory in a battle in 1861. The temple near the parking lot is believed to be the main temple. It has been built by the ruler of Mani Majra in 1815 A.D.

The temple is very popular among patrons, for the Goddess is believed to grant boons in keeping with her name Mansa Devi. Fairs are held in its vicinity during the holy days of Navratra when devotees throng in lakhs to pay obeisance to her. Haryana Tourism has set up its Jatayu Yatri Niwas adjacent the Mata Mansa Devi shrine.

Chandi Mandir, lies some 10 km from Mata Mansa Devi shrine. It is a small but famous
 temple worshipped as a Siddh Peeth- ( a place where wishes are granted). It is after this
 temple that the town of Chandigarh gets its name. The temple falls on the Chandigarh-
 Kalka stretch of the national highway number 22. The Navratras sees thousands of
devotees thronging to the temple.

Further along this highway the ruins of the Bhima Devi temple lie in the small hamlet of Pinjore. This is a picturesque location built on the rising foot hills of the Shiwalik mountains. The Bima Devi temple is an archaeological site that dates to the 11th century AD and projects the Panchayatan style of temple architecture. The temple is currently in ruins. However, effort is on to design a site museum here to display the findings of the area.

Kalka town lies on the Ambala-Shimla national highway. It forms the last stretch in Haryana, after which the highway passes into Himachal Pradesh. On this highway, lies the famous temple of Kalka Devi. Built on austere lines, the temple boasts of a large following in the area with special festivities held in the days of Navratra.

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries:

Location: Delhi - Jaipur highway ( 46 km from Delhi)

Founded by: Dr. Salim Ali

Season: September to March is the best time to visit.

Description:
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 Sanctuary was 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.

Climate(Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary)
The climate of this region is tropical with very hot summers and chilly winters. Monsoon approaches this place in the month of July and continues till mid-September. The best season to visit this park is winter as the chances of seeing the exclusive wildlife of this park is more in these months.

Location (Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary)
The Sultanpur National Park is located in the Indian state of Haryana at a distance of 45 km from Delhi, the national capital. The park extends from latitude 28°37' in the North to longitude 77°04' in the east. It is well connected by roads with Delhi and Gurgaon, the district headquarters.

Attractions:
Flora: The vegetation of this park is tropical and dry deciduous and the flora include grasses, dhok, khair, tendu, ber, jamun, acacia, and banyan tree.

Fauna: The Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is home to a large range of birds, both resident and migratory. Migratory geese and Siberian cranes spend the winter in Sultanpur and there are also the demoiselle cranes, ruddy shelducks, pelicans, flamingoes, bar-headed geese, grey lags, gadwalls, mallards, pochards, shovellers and teals. Local species include plovers, red-wattled lapwings, herons, cormorants, white ibis, spoonbills and painted storks.Other wildlife in the park include blackbuck, nilgai, hog deer, sambar, wild dog or dhole, caracal, wild cat, hedgehog, mongoose, striped hyena, Indian porcupine, rattle/honey badger, leopard, wild pig, and four horned antelope.

Other Attractions:
Sultanpur Lake is the point around which the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary has been developed. The lake is a picnic spot for the residents of Delhi and boating facilities are also available here. The lake has a good number of reptiles and it attracts a lot of migratory birds during winters.

Places Nearby (Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary)
Delhi, at a distance of around 45 km from Sultanpur, is the capital of India and the seat of power since ancient times. Major tourist attractions here are the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Qutub Minar, Bahai Temple, Rajghat, India Gate, and Jantar Mantar apart from numerous others. There are also many museums, libraries, art galleries, theaters, and educational institutions that can be visited.