HARYANA

Haryana is a North Indian state surrounding New Delhi on 3 sides. The Yamuna River runs along its eastern border with Uttar Pradesh. Shared with Punjab, the state capital Chandigarh is known for its modernist buildings and gridlike street plan designed by Swiss architect, Le Corbusier. The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden features 1,600 species, while its Rock Garden showcases sculptures made with recycled materials.

Haryana is renowned for its ancient temples, impressive architecture and lush greenery, which attract large number of devotees and holidaymakers from all parts of the country. Haryana has a distinct culture and heritage of its own, making it an attractive travel destination.

Top places to visit:

1. Gurugram

Gurugram is a city just southwest of New Delhi in northern India. It’s known as a financial and technology hub. The Kingdom of Dreams is a large complex for theatrical shows. Sheetala Mata Mandir is an orange-and-white-striped Hindu temple. The Vintage Camera Museum showcases cameras and prints spanning a century. West of the city, Sultanpur National Park is home to hundreds of bird species. Contrary to what you might expect from a landlocked city, Gurugram actually has quite a few attractions for nature lovers. Home to a vast variety of unique flora and fauna as well as bird species, the Sultanpur National Park and Bird Sanctuary is a place where you can go to sit back and relax amidst nature. Another popular tourist attraction is the Sohna Lake, which is named after a stream whole sand is believed to contain gold particles.

2. Kurukshetra

A city in the state of Haryana, Kurukshetra, also known as Dharmakshetra is known as the "Land of the Bhagavad Gita". Situated 170 km north to Delhi, the place is famous for the battle between the Kauvaras and the Pandavas in the Hindu epic, Mahabharata. It is the place where Lord Krishna is said to have recited the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. In the past, Kurukshetra was one of the most important centres for Vedic civilization as well as education. Lord Buddha and several Sikh Gurus are known to have visited and spent time in Kurukshetra. The place has a large number of devout centres, holy shrines and kunds which trace back to the epic ages and the earliest Indian civilisation.

3. Panchkula

One of the most planned towns of Haryana, Panchkula is a satellite town that forms the tricity with Chandigarh and Mohali. Ruled by the Chandels from 9th-12th Century, this hill-city derives its name from the five irrigation canals or 'kuls' which draw water from the uphill Ghagghar. Sector 5 in Panchkula is popular for its variety of entertainment and eating out options. It even has an open-air amphitheatre and the Terminals Ballistic Research Laboratory of the DRDO. Panchkula is also a place which is used as a halt before going to nearby hill stations in Himachal Pradesh.

4. Faridabad

Faridabad is Haryana's largest city and its major industrial hub as well. Faridabad is the main part of district Faridabad which has two divisions - Faridabad and Ballabgarh. The city shares borders with New Delhi on its north, Gurgaon to its west and Uttar Pradesh on its south west ends.

5. Panipat

Located at a distance of 90 km from Delhi, Panipat is known for the three historical battles that were fought here. Innumerable monument, forts, temples and its magnificent historical connections make Panipat in Haryana an interesting tourist destination. Also known as 'City of Weavers', and 'Textile City', this is an important city for textile production. Panipat was one of the five cities (prasthas) founded by Pandava brothers during the times of Mahabharata.