HARYANA

TOP 15 BEST PLACES TO VIST HARYANA

01 Gurgaon

Once little more than a dull and comparatively unknown suburb of the national capital region, today, Gurgaon is not only one of the most urbanised cities of India, but it also boasts of a skyline that can easily rival those of Hong Kong and Singapore. Easily accessible from Delhi and Noida, Gurgaon is fast becoming a popular travel destination among holidaymakers. Starting from natural treasures to a flourishing lifestyle and a vibrant nightlife, Gurgaon has everything you could need.

Contrary to what you might expect from a landlocked city, Gurgaon 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 (thus the name ‘Sohna’). Offering a scenic view of the Aravalli mountains, the Sohna Lake is a popular picnic spot among both locals and tourists. The largest natural lake of the city, however, is Damdama Lake, which apart from being a place where you can lie back and unwind, also offers adventure activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, boating and valley crossing. You can even sit and fish at the lake as you watch the sunset behind the Aravallis, painting the sky magnificent hues of red and orange.

02 Kurukshetra

Famous for being one of the centre-points of the Epic Mahabharata, Kurukshetra- the field of righteousness traces its past to King Kuru, who laid the foundation of a domain that has its roots on uprightness and benevolence.

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. It is believed that Lord Krishna preached the theory of Karma in the form of Geeta to his friend Arjuna in Kurukshetra. Archaeological evidence claim that this city was in existence during the pre-Harrapan times. 

Thanesar or Sthaneswar is a historical town surrounding Kurukshetra. Archaeological evidence list that Ashoka, the Mauryan ruler made Kurukshetra a centre of learning for people from all over the world. The place is famous for its temples, lakes and museums documenting the history of pre-Harappan and Harappan civilisations. A few kilometres from Kurukshetra is the village known as Amin, where there are remnants of a fort which is believed to be Abhimanyu’s fort.

03 Panchkula

Present on the way to hills of Shimla, Panchkula is famous for the ruins of the Chandels and trekking on Morni Hills teemed with peacocks.

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.

04 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.

05 Panipat

Innumerable monuments, forts, temples and its magnificent historical connections make Panipat in Haryana an interesting tourist destination. Also known as ‘City of Weavers’, Panipat is an ancient and historic city. 

Panipat was one of the five cities (prasthas) founded by Pandava brothers during the times of Mahabharata. Panipat was the scene of three pivotal battles marked in the Indian history. The ruins of the Old Fort belonging to the Islamicate rule, the Kabuli Shah Mosque, an ancient structure built by the emperor Babar of the Mughal Dynasty, Ibrahim Lodhi’s grave and the tomb of Bu Ali Shah Kalandar will definitely bring out the archeologist in you and leave you with enlightened with some overwhelming historical magnificence.

06 Narnaul

The historic town of Narnaul in Mahendergarh district of Haryana claims to be one of the important seats of the Dwapar yuga of Mahabharata.

Claiming a hybrid architectural influences of Mughals, Rajputs, Persians and the British, Narnaul is famous for its many tombs and historical sites that date back to the Mughal and Rajput era, followed by the rule of Prince of Jaipur and Patiala. Also famous as Birbal’s birthplace who was one of the Ministers or Navratnas in Akbar’s Court, Narnaul is the birthplace of Sher Shah Suri, the Afghan king who shook the foundations of the Mughal dynasty. The famous Ayurvedic blend, Chyavanprasha was first made in Doshi, a sacred hill just 8 km away from this town.

07 Nuh

70 kms off Delhi and at 190 m altitude, the historical city of Nuh traces its roots to the Aryan civilization, and later the Tughlaq Dynasty.

Nuh, located in the Mewat district of Haryana is a modest home to several historical structures and ruins and is a day trip into a bit of history. With carvings on the red sandstone and grey quartzite, the architectural marvel of the place can be seen in its Shaking Monument, the Chui Mai Pond or Tank, the town of Sheikh Musa, Kotla and in the religious sites.

08 Rohtak

The Heart of Haryana, Rohtak is situated just 70 kms away from the Heart of the India, Delhi and happens to be a part of the National Capital Region (NCR). There have been many rumours regarding the name of the city and its origins. With evidence suggesting that the old town is as old as the Indus Valley Civilization, Rohtak has turned out to be a city of fascination.

The district of Rohtak is divided into two parts; Rohtak and Meham. The city of Rohtak, however, is 250 kms southwards to the state capital Chandigarh on the NH9. As a strategy to obtain cheaper infrastructure loans, Rohtak has joined to be a part of the NCR. This has made way for a steady pace development while preserving the historical importance of the City at the same time.

Rohtak is a city with a long-standing history that is preserved in its abandoned yet fostered ruins. Rohtak has some of the most beautiful lakes with standstill sparkling water giving rise to a serene vibe called the Bhindawas Lake and the Tilyar Lake. Tilyar lake complex houses a zoo in its vast compound which makes up for a great outing. If that is not peaceful enough, Asthal Bohar Math and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib are the two places to seek peace and spiritual attainment. Rohtak also entertains the fun-loving folks too with the Splash Water Park which promises of all the fun time one can have. Rohtak is not so prominent in India’s Tourism, but the celebration and heritage of Rohtak are waiting to be uncovered to the world of travellers.

09 Karnal

If a liberal dose of historical charm and marvels of architecture are on your wish-list, Karnal is the place to be! This district in the Indian state of Haryana boasts of an eclectic history reaching into the period of the Mahabharata, and a new visage as well. Having had a significant role to play in the kingdoms of yore, Karnal today is popularly called the ‘Rice Bowl of India’ for its vast rice fields that feed almost half the country. Nestled in the banks of the sacred Yamuna River, this city is picturesque with its sprawling fields and cold weather. Located in the National Capital Region, Karnal is your ideal vacation destination for a healthy dose of culture, religion and celebration!

10 Damdama Lake

Damdama Lake is a beautiful lake 24 km south of Gurugram, off the Gurugram-Alwar road. It is around 64 km i.e. an hour’s drive away from New Delhi and has a calm and peaceful vibe about it. The lake was commissioned by the British in 1947 for rainwater harvesting. In its current form, however, what makes Damdama Lake enticing is that it is home to over 190 species of native and migratory birds. In monsoons, water levels reach as high as fifty feet and this is when most of the migratory birds are spotted. Damdama Lake is the biggest lake in Haryana and stretches to almost three thousand acres. It is a popular place for picnics as well as for on-site training for corporate team-building exercises.

Surrounded by the rocky Aravalli hills and an uneven but exciting topography, this scenic lake is a perfect getaway for people in and around New Delhi, Delhi, and Gurgaon. Damdama Lake also has many resorts that offer adventure sports and paddle boating on the lake. Rock Climbing enthusiasts may indulge and try out their skills at the Aravalli Hills with difficult terrain. The water level of the lake has an average height of twenty meters but soars up to fifty meters during monsoons and covers a vast area of more than three thousand acres.

11Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary

A perfect weekend getaway from Delhi, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is an amazing escape, especially for nature lovers and birding enthusiasts. It is home to a number of migratory birds and is a great spot for spotting the various species, especially during winters. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is located at a distance of 40 kilometres from Dhaula-Kuan in Delhi on the Gurgaon-Farukh Nagar Road. There are astonishing 250 species of birds here during the peak season, i.e. September and during winters.

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary has been declared to be a National Park by the Haryana Government and is home to a plethora of resident and migratory birds. The varied species of migratory birds flock here after covering incredible distances from various parts of Europe, Siberia and Central Asia. To make the process of bird watching more feasible, there are about four towers erected at different points of this property.

12 Manesar

Manesar is a unique combination of modern and traditional lifestyles and is an upcoming destination that needs to be visited on your next road trip from Delhi to Jaipur. It is highly advised to you spent at least a day in this town to experience its farm tourism, its spas and relax, before you head out on a long journey ahead.

Manesar is a developing industrial suburb and is fast turning into a preferred destination to experience the rugged rural life. The place is famous for its rustic life and the majestic views of the wonderful Aravali Hills offered by it. Moreover, Manesar’s farm tourism is considered to be a must-stop on the journey towards Jaipur. There are a few resorts in Manesar which offer a rural Haryanvi experience. Based on a concept similar to that of Choki Dhani of Jaipur, these resorts offer different activities for an entire day and campfires by the night. Overall, Manesar gives the people of Delhi an interesting rural offbeat experience and a good change from the usual city life.

13 Murthal

A favourite among the people of Delhi, Murthal is a place that lives, breathes, eats, and loves Paranthas. Situated on National Highway 1 connecting Delhi to Amritsar, Murthal is a step away from being the Paratha capital of India. A large village in the Sonepat district of Haryana, it has become a go-to destination for the city folk to have some of the most mouthwatering Parathas in the world. Established by a few people in order to serve as an eating junction for the truck drivers, its dhabas soon gained popularity and found themselves among the list of favourites of the capital’s youth.

The place is buzzing with more than 50 dhabas and restaurants each famous for their unique taste and types of Parathas offered. It is a great place to enjoy some simmering hot and yummy food with friends and family along with a pleasant drive down the highway.

14 Morni Hills

Situated on the outskirts of Panchkula, Morni Hills is one of the most popular picnic destinations for locals and tourists alike. This is the only hill station in the state of Haryana and hence is a much sought-after place. The hills are 1220 metres and have some really stunning views to offer. In addition to being a vista point, Morni Hills is also a great place for bird watching and trekking enthusiasts. Popular birds which are sighted here include Wallcreeper, Crested Kingfisher, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Blue Peafowl, Kalij Pheasant, Red Junglefowl, Grey Francolin, Quails, Himalayan Bulbul and Oriental Turtle Dove.

Situated at a mere distance of 45 kilometres from Chandigarh, the entire route from the city to these quaint hills have a beautiful journey. Forests and mighty pine trees line the way up to the foothills of the Shivaliks where you can finally make a stopover at the Morni Hills. There are two lakes here as well which are interconnected in spite of the existence of a hillock in between, such that the water level in both of them remains the same. The lake is believed to be auspicious by the locals and is a focal point during many celebrations. A small temple dedicated to the Holy Trinity is also present near the banks of the lake and is believed to have been constructed around the 12th century AD. The remains of the Morni fort are present quite close to the hills as well. In addition to the landscape, a wide variety of flora and fauna is also present here which makes it a delight for every nature lover. A hidden haven of nature, Morni Hills is a must visit for anyone looking for a quick weekend getaway.

15 Kalesar National Park

Spread over a stretch of whopping 13,000 acres (53 km square) Kalesar National Park is a protected area in Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, perfect for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. Because of its natural scenic beauty and amazing flora and fauna, the park is also an ideal tourist and picnic location for families. You can easily spot leopards and panthers. The place is equally loved by bird watchers, especially in winters when migratory birds fill the sky with vibrant colours. The park is not only restricted to this. You can also put on your camo printed clothes and indulge in thrilling wildlife safaris.