Northern India’s Haryana state has a long and illustrious history that extends back to the Vedic era. As one of the richest areas in South Asia, the state is renowned for its everlasting legacy and rich cultural heritage, as well as its natural beauty.
Several rivers run through this landlocked state, which is bordered by other states. Tourists from all over the world come to the state to experience its rich cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and outdoor adventures.
Haryana’s tourism sector is expanding at a rapid pace. Every year, a large number of foreign and local visitors come to the state. Haryana offers nearly 2,000 hotels to accommodate the demands of these travelers, including heritage hotels, luxury resorts, star and budget hotels, as well as bed and breakfast motels and bed and breakfast inns.
History of Haryana
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Haryana’s illustrious and lively history can be traced back to the Vedic period. It is thought that this location was the site of the first compilation of the Vedic literature. Sites in Haryana have been linked to the Indus Valley Civilization by archaeological evidence. Over the centuries, the territory has been conquered and governed by a number of different monarchs.
In the history of India, the city of Panipat is renowned for having been the site of three great conflicts that altered the country’s destiny. At the time of Indian independence, Haryana was a part of the East Punjab Province, which included the state of Punjab. Not until 1966 was Punjab officially separated into two states, Punjab and Haryana, with the union territory of Chandigarh serving as the common capital of both states.
Geography & Climate
Haryana is a landlocked state in northern India that borders the Punjab. The state’s borders with Himachal Pradesh in the north-east, Punjab in the north, Rajasthan in the west and south, and Uttar Pradesh in the east are all shared with other states in the country.
India’s physical characteristics are divided into four major groups: the lower Shivalik Hills in the north-east, the Yamuna-Ghaggar plain in the south-west, the Bagar semi-desert plain in the south-west, and the Aravalli Ranges in the south. Several rivers and their tributaries run through the state, the most significant of which are the Yamuna and the Ghaggar.
While the summers in Haryana can be exceedingly hot, the winters in this state are quite pleasant. Months with the highest temperatures are May and June, while the coldest months are December and January. In this state, the best time to come is between October and November, or between February and March in the winter.
Places to Visit in Haryana
- There are three temples in this area: Mata Mansa Devi Mandir, Sheetla Mata Mandir, and Gurudwara Nada Sahib.
- Plantation Gardens, Sultanpur National Park, Maharana Pratap Swaran Jayanti Park, NeverEnuf Garden Railway, National Cactus and Succulent Botanical Garden and Research Center, Kalesar National Park, Tau Devi Lal Biodiversity & Botanical Garden, Mini Zoo, and Black Buck Breeding Center are some of the parks and gardens in the area.
- Museums include the Heritage Transportation Museum.
- Pataudi Palace, Asigarh Fort, Sheikh Chilli’s Tomb, Raja Nahar Singh Palace, Nahar Singh Mahal, Kabuli Bagh Mosque are some of the historical sites in the area.
- Damdama Lake, Badkhal Lake, Karna Lake, Tilyar Lake, Tikkar Taal, Sannihit Sarovar are few of the lakes in the area.
- Surajkund, Kurukshetra Panorama & Science Center, and Dhosi Hill are among the other attractions.
Cuisine of Haryana
The food of this region might best be described as earthy and straightforward in its approach. Mixed Dal, Kachri Ki Sabzi, Hara Dhania Cholia, Singri Ki Sabzi, Kadhi Pakora, Methi Gajjar, Khichri, and Bathua Raita are just a few of the cuisines that this state is famous for.
There are several various kinds of flatbreads offered here, including the Besan Masala Roti and the Bajra Aloo Roti, all of which are delicious. Because of the amount of milk available, homemade ghee and butter are a must-have for every meal. Haryana is also known for its milk-based beverages, such as Lassi and Thandai, and for its sweet treats, such as Kheer, Malpuas, and Mithe Chawal.
Shopping in the State of Haryana
Haryana is well-known for producing a variety of distinctive handicrafts. You can consider purchasing some of the following items if you’re searching for mementos to take home with you:
- Pottery
- Phulkari dupattas and sarees
- Upholstery fabric
- Punja durries
- Woven furniture
- Sarkhanda furniture
- Terracotta jewellery
- Juttis
- Brass metal curios
- Bone carving
- Lac bangles
- Woodcraft
- Leatherwork
How to Get to Haryana
By Air: Hisar Airport is the state’s first commercial airport and is located in the city of Hisar. Tourists may fly into either this airport or the Chandigarh International Airport, which is about an hour away. Hisar Airport has a limited number of flights linking it to cities like as Chandigarh, Delhi, and a few more.
The Chandigarh International Airport has improved connectivity with the rest of India. Additionally, this airport connects Haryana to foreign destinations including as Dubai and Sharjah. Some cities in Haryana are quite near to New Delhi and have greater connections to other parts of the country thanks to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, which serves the whole country.
Via rail: Haryana has a well-developed railway network that connects it to neighbouring states as well as the rest of Indian subcontinent. The Northern Railways, the North Western Railways, and the North Central Railways are the railway companies that service the state.
Trains run between stations in Haryana and cities like as New Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Mathura, and Varanasi on a regular basis. The Fairy Queen Heritage Train, which runs between Delhi and Rewari, is a well-known luxury train in Haryana.
By Road: Haryana is connected to an extensive national highway and state road network. The state contains at least 32 national highways and 11 expressways, including three national expressways, according to the National Highway System.
These expressways link the state to cities including as Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, and Amritsar. The development of an expressway linking Haryana and Mumbai is now underway. Many regions of Haryana are included in the National Capital Region (NCR) and are only a few hours’ drive from Delhi.