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Haryana

Tourist Centres

Haryana has plenty of tourist attractions. Surajkund was built during the 10th century AD by Raja Suraj Pal of the Tomar dynasty. It has a large sun pool and amphitheatre. Surajkund combines proximity to the national capital with many amenities and comforts in an ambience that is typically rural and far away from the trappings of the urban centres.

The Karna Lake is a manmade lake, named after Karna, one of the heroes of the epic Mahabharat. Having been carved out of a marshy area, the Karna Lake offers all the advantages of a designer complex with charming cottages overlooking a landscaped garden and tall eucalyptus trees planted to act as a barricade against the noise of the highway. Other trees and the emerald waters of the lake become the home for the multicolored kingfishers, darters, ducks and geese during the winter months.

Then is the Badkhal Lake. The real attraction of Badkhal Lake are its serene waters around which small cottages have been built at an elevation, which give the occupants a splendid view of the lake, and in the winter months one can hear the birds chirping. Here, the Aravali hills are on the fringe and the lake welcomes water sports such as canoeing, kayaking or just a simple boat ride. In addition, there is a luxury yacht for those interested.

Haryana is proud of its many lake retreats besides Karna and Badkhal.

There is the Tilyar Lake at Rohtak, 70 kilometres away from Delhi, with facilities like boating and kayaking.

Then are the Yadavindra Gardens at Pinjore, just 22 kilometres from Chandigarh. Here, a historic building of the 17th century is set in a Mughal garden, with a waterway surrounded by green lawns. Another beautiful garden here is the Japanese garden.

The Damdama Lake is a lake with cottages built on higher ground and mirrored in the calm waters of the lake. Facilities for sports such as rock climbing on the surrounding Aravali ranges, canoeing, kayaking, cycling and trekking are all available. A camping complex for the adventurous is also there.

Not far from Damdama Lake is Sohna, named, after traces of gold were found in the nearby waters centuries ago. Sohna has become quite popular due to the annual Vintage Car Rally that takes place in February. Motorists drive the 56 kilometres from Delhi and come to rest and picnic here which is half way away from the venue of the rally.

Kurukshetra in Haryana is the name given to an area covering 48 kosas (an Indian unit of measuring land) where 860 places of pilgrimage related to the Mahabharata exist today. The important sites are the Brahma Sarovar, Gurudwara Sadbhiti, Rajghat, Sannihit Sarovar and Thaneswar Tirtha.

Near Kurukshetra, Thaneswar is a sacred town for Hindus because Lord Shiva in the form of the lingam was first worshipped here. Also situated here is the tomb of Sheikh Chilli Jalal. It is a fascinating monument, octagonal in shape, crowned with a dome of white marble and surrounded by a white marble courtyard. Also the two outstanding Islamic monuments the Chini Masjid and Pathar Masjid are situated here.

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