Haryana Tourism
Encyclopedia
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It began operation with one resort in 1966, and now owns and operates 44 tourist complexes all over the state. These complexes offer lodging, fast-food, and recreational activities. Haryana Tourism also offers adventure tourism and farm tourism
Agritourism
Agritourism, as it is defined most broadly, involves any agriculturally-based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch. Agritourism has different definitions in different parts of the world, and sometimes refers specifically to farm stays, as in Italy...
. It organizes the Surajkund Crafts Mela (Fair) every year in February.
History
Haryana Tourism opened the first resort in 1966. Further expansion was based on the concept of highway tourism. Several tourist stops were opened along the National HighwayIndian highways
The National Highways Network of India, is a network of highways that is managed and maintained by agencies of the Government of India. These highways measured over as of 2010, including over of limited-access Expressways....
s crossing through the state to cater to the travellers. At a later stage, tourist complexes were built at district headquarters for the local population. In recent years the focus has shifted to develop cultural spots, golf courses, farm tourism and adventure tourism.
Tourist Complexes
Haryana Tourism owns and operates 44 tourist complexes. Most of them are named after local birds,http://haryanatourism.com/destinations/overview.asp for example, the Sandpiper Tourist Complex at RewariRewari
Rewari is a city and a municipal council in Rewari district in the Indian state of Haryana. It is located in south-west Haryana around from Delhi and from Gurgaon.- Etymology :...
and the Baya
Baya Weaver
The Baya Weaver is a weaverbird found across South and Southeast Asia. Flocks of these birds are found in grasslands, cultivated areas, scrub and secondary growth and they are best known for their hanging retort shaped nests woven from leaves...
Tourist Complex at Bhiwani
Bhiwani
Bhiwani is a city and a municipal council in Bhiwani district in the state of Haryana, India. It is known as the city of temples. Besides being a seat of spiritual learning, the city has been the centerstage of regional politics. The city is hometown to three of Haryana's chief ministers: Bansi...
. Most tourist complexes offer lodging, some have fast-food restaurants, and some are situated near lakes. Karna Lake near Karnal
Karnal
Karnal is an important city and the headquarters of Karnal District in the Indian state of Haryana.Karnal is said to have been founded by the Kauravas in the Mahabharata era for the king Karna, a mythological hero and a key figure in the epic tale...
, Morni Lake near Surajkund
Surajkund
Surajkund is an ancient reservoir of the 10th century, away to the south west from a more ancient dam of the 8th century called the Anagpur Dam; both are located in Haryana, India....
, Damdam Lake near Sohna
Sohna
Sohna is a town and a municipal committee in Gurgaon district in the Indian state of Haryana.The small town of Sohna is a tourist place, located 24 km from the city on the highway from Gurgaon to Alwar, near a vertical rock. The town derived its name from the gold dust which was found from...
and Tilyar Lake near Rohtak
Rohtak
Rohtak City is a Municipal Corporation in Rohtak district that styles itself as the "Heart of Haryana". It is located 70 km Northwest of New Delhi and 210 km South of the state capital Chandigarh at the NH 10...
are the more famous lakes. Some complexes also have the facility to host conferences.A very famous and peaceful place 10 km from bhiwani on Tosham road[DABAR -BAPORA].Many sufi's and ayurvedic people make this holy place graeful with their feet.Around 50 acres (202,343 m²) of land full of wild animals like rabbits, patriots, plenty of peacocks, sanbhar etc. make the environment cheerful. Lot of temples make it very joyful.
Specialized services
Haryana Tourism also owns two golf courses. The Aravalli Golf Course near FaridabadFaridabad
Faridabad is a city in the south-east of Haryana state in northern India, in Faridabad district. It lies at 28º 25' 16" N Latitude and 77º 18' 28" E Longitude. The district shares its boundaries with the National Capital and Union Territory of Delhi to its north, Gurgaon district to the west and...
is an 18-hole course, designed by Stephen Kay
Stephen Kay
-Career:He has directed the films Get Carter and Boogeyman. As well as directing episodes of Saved, The Shield, Friday Night Lights and Sons of Anarchy. Beginning his career as actor, his acting credits include Quantum Leap, Murder, She Wrote, Party of Five and regular roles in Deadly Games and...
in 1988. The other course, named the Highway Golf Course, is a 9-hole course adjacent to the Karna Lake on National Highway 1. Haryana Tourism also offers adventure tourism, including white water rafting on the river Yamuna
Yamuna
The Yamuna is the largest tributary river of the Ganges in northern India...
near Hathinikund, parasailing
Parasailing
Parasailing, also known as parascending, or "parakiting" is a recreational kiting activity where a person is towed behind a vehicle while attached to a specially designed canopy wing that reminds one of a parachute, known as a parasail wing...
and rock climbing
Rock climbing
Rock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
. It has also started offering "farm holidays" as a form of agritourism
Agritourism
Agritourism, as it is defined most broadly, involves any agriculturally-based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch. Agritourism has different definitions in different parts of the world, and sometimes refers specifically to farm stays, as in Italy...
.
Haryana Tourism has launched online rooms booking facility for its hotels and resorts from August 2009.[]
Surajkund Crafts Mela
Haryana Tourism cohosts the yearly Surajkund Crafts Mela (Fair) highlighting some of the finest handloom and handicraftHandicraft
Handicraft, more precisely expressed as artisanic handicraft, sometimes also called artisanry, is a type of work where useful and decorative devices are made completely by hand or by using only simple tools. It is a traditional main sector of craft. Usually the term is applied to traditional means...
traditions of India. It is held from February 1 to 15 every year, starting from 1987, near Faridabad
Faridabad
Faridabad is a city in the south-east of Haryana state in northern India, in Faridabad district. It lies at 28º 25' 16" N Latitude and 77º 18' 28" E Longitude. The district shares its boundaries with the National Capital and Union Territory of Delhi to its north, Gurgaon district to the west and...
, very close to Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
. Each year there is a different "theme state" whose handicrafts are more prominently showcased. Folk theatre and music are also featured. A similar Heritage Festival is being organized this year from October 5 to 9 at the Yadvindra Gardens at Pinjore
Pinjore
Pinjore is a town in Panchkula district in the Indian state of Haryana.-Demographics: India census, Pinjore had a population of 25,498. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Pinjore has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is...
.