About Haryana

Haryana’s name means either ‘Adobe of God’ or ‘green home’ depending on whether you believe its first syllable refers to Hari, one of Vishnu’s aliases, or hara, Hindi for green. Either description will ring true to escapes from Delhi or Chandigarh who cross Haryana’s flat, patchwork landscape and visit the revered Kurukshetra.

The Haryana state government has built a chain of modern motel-restaurants along the main roads that are named after the many birds found in the state.

Famous Cities in Haryana

Famous Attractions in Haryana

Kurukshetra

Kurukshetra may look like an unprepossessing regional centre, but it is in fact the birthplace of the universe and the spot where good triumphed over evil – at least according to Hindu teachings. Brahma created man and the universe here, and Krishna delivered his epic Bhagavad Gita sermon, offered as advice to Arjuna before he fought the 18-day Mahabharata battle in which good came out on top.
The town takes its name from founder Kuru, the Aryan king who offered his limbs to Vishnu in order to establish a land of ethics and values.
There’s a lackluster tourist office in Neelkanthi Krishna Dham Yatri Niwas, a hotel run by Haryana Tourism opposite Hotel Harsh.

Sri Krishna Museum

At the Sri Krishna Museum, Krishna kills the Crane demon, subdues the serpent Kaliya, plays the flute and wanders among cows. The fascinating museum is packed with ancient and modern representations of this heroic incarnation of Vishnu, created by artists from across the subcontinent using materials including wood, stone, bronze, ivory, palm leaves and silk.

Kurukshetra Panorama and Science Centre

Next door is the Kurukshetra Panorama and Science Centre. An air-brushed sky flares behind vultures picking at severed heads in the diorama telling the story of the Mahabharata battle between the good Pandavas and the evil Kauravas. The ground floor has fun, interactive science exhibits.

Bhramasarovar

Just 500m away from science centre is India’s largest tank, the Bhramasarovar, which was created by Brahma according to the Vamana Purana. Surrounded by bathing ghats and walkways, the popular spot attracts huge crowds during solar eclipses and Gita Jayanti, anniversary of the Bhagavad Gita.

Jyotisar

Another 6km away from Bhramasarovar is Jyotisar, where the banyan tree is said to be an offshoot of the one under which Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita. An entertaining way to see the tree and the nearby temple and tank is at the one-hour sound and light show, with its booming Hindi narration of the momentous local events.

Shaikh Chehli’s tomb

More interesting, Shaikh Chehli’s tomb is located 2.3km from the Krishna Museum. This sufi saint and spiritual teacher of the Mughal prince Dara Shikoh is buried with his family in sandstone-and-marble mausoleums atop a red-brick fortress, surrounded by 12 cupolas. It has views across Kurukshetra and of the nighbouring madrasa (Islamic seminary) and Mughal garden, which respectively contain a small archaeological museum and the ruins of a caravanserai.

Surajkund

Some 30km south of Delhi, this town at the northern end of the Aravalli Range is the site of the awesome Surajkund Crafts Mela. Surajkund is named after the impressive 10th century sun pool built by Raja Surajpal, leader of the sun-worshipping Tomars.

Sultanpur Bird Sanctury

This 145-hectare sanctuary plays host to 255 bird species, including Saras cranes, golden orioles, rd munias, green barbets and black drongos. Its fluctuating population of woodland, shallow-water and deep-water birds includes 157 resident species and 98 visiting species from Western Europe, the Middle East and Polar Regions. The best time to visit is October to March, when, even at noon, stalks and herons can be seen from the 3.5km track circling the lake.

Accommodation in Haryana

Haryana state offers a list of good hotels. Most of the hotels are located in short driving distance from Delhi. These hotels offer every facility which a visitor desires during his trip. There are some famous hotels in Haryana which are:
» Bristol Hotel, Gurgaon
» Park Plaza Gurgaon
» The Trident, Gurgaon
» Hotel Solitaire, Ambala
» Hotel Parakeet, Kurukshetra

How to Reach Haryana

BY AIR - The Chandigarh airport is connected to other places in the country like Delhi, Amritsar, and Leh. Proximity to the Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi gives the state greater access to places in India and abroad.

BY RAIL - All the major places in Haryana are connected to Delhi and other important centers all over the country in India by a good network of trains. Both the Central and Northern Railways have extensive networks in the state.

BY ROAD - There is a good road network in the state that connects all the places in Haryana to each other as well as from the places outside the state boundary like Delhi, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. The Haryana State Road Transport Corporation and private operators have good services to all the places in the state