The prosperous state of Haryana in India is a tourist`s paradise. There are several religious places which attract numerous pilgrims all throughout the year. The history of Haryana is around five thousand years old. This ancient Indian state has seen dynasties rise and shine and also witnessed them crumbling. It has been a silent audience to the sages and religious gurus who have sacrificed everything to uplift the common man. It houses the ancient battlefields, temples and monuments with legends interwoven within them. The uniqueness of Haryana also lies in its capital city as it shares Chandigarh with Punjab. Wild life sanctuaries in Haryana are a major part of its tourism. It is a delight for the nature lovers. Gardens and parks are also major places of interest in Haryana.
Pilgrimage Tourism in Haryana
Haryana is a home to numerous pilgrimage sites which are flooded with devotees almost all throughout the year. Gurudwaras and temples are to be found in every nook and corner of the state. While the Sikhs offer their prayers at the Gurudwaras, the Hindu temples are flooded with devotees on special accessions, such as New Moon or amavyasya or during the Kumbha mela. Kurukshetra and Thaneswar in Haryana are quite important pilgrimage centers. The Kurukshetra area encompasses three hundred and sixty pilgrimage sites. One of the most respected places of Kurukshetra is Jyotisar. It is here under the holy banyan tree that Lord Krishna is believed to have conveyed the everlasting message of Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna before the beginning of the battle of Mahabharata. This place is a must see for the pilgrimage tourists. Thaneswar is one of the most sacred places of Hindu pilgrimage. The presiding deity of Thaneswar is Lord Shiva. Pehowa, a town in Haryana is famous for temples devoted to Lord Shiva and his son Kartika. Pilgrims in large numbers come here every year to offer prayers.
Nature Tourism in Haryana
Wildlife is an integral part of tourism in Haryana. The state is a paradise for ornithologists. Four hundred and fifty species of birds are to be found here. The Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary in the Gurgaon district of Haryana is an ideal place for the bird watchers. Birds like Paddy field Pipit, Purple Sunbird, Spot billed Duck, Black headed Ibis, Little Egret and Common Mynah are among the variety of species found here. The Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary in district Jhajjar in Haryana is a place to look out for. Larger than the Sultanpur bird sanctuary, this is a home to some fabulous species of water birds. Apart from the birds, the jungle cats, blue bull and jackals are also witnessed here. Wild life in Haryana is renowned all over the world for its variety and splendour. The Rock garden of Haryana is located in its capital city, Chandigarh. This vast open air museum that showcases a massive array of natural rock forms and stones is situated on the northern periphery of the city centre adjoining to the Sukhna Lake. There are many gardens in Haryana which can prove to be a delight for the nature lovers. The Yadavindra Garden is a very beautiful garden situated in Pinjore in Haryana. The garden is adorned with beautiful flowers and waterfalls. Dazzling lights also add to the exquisiteness of Garden at night. A lot of people visit the garden on the Baisakhi Festival and on Mango Mela. The cactus garden in Haryana is a home to more than three thousand and five hundred species of cacti and succulents.
Leisure Tourism in Haryana
Historical monuments and cultural centers throw ample light on the culture and the glorious past of Haryana. Haryana monuments include the forts, palaces and tombs of the ruling dynasties that have now altered into different government offices of the state. The tomb of Ibrahim Lodi in Panipat is one of the most important historical monuments in Haryana. The grave is a rectangular block on an elevated platform. It is a popular historical site among the tourists. The Nahar Singh Mahal in the Faridabad district of Haryana was built in 1739A.D. The fort was bedecked with minars on its four corners of which only two can be seen now due to age and neglect. The palace holds a Darbar-e-aam and a Rang Mahal ornamented with a beautiful Chhatri. This palace is now supervised by the 
Government of Haryana and its architectural design still fascinates the onlookers. The Chachhrauli fort comprises a throne room, a treasury, and reception rooms. The whole of the fort was painted with murals. The fort and its murals were in a fairly good state of protection till some time ago. Over the years, the walls are crumbling down but it still bears the mark of its majestic history. Haryana Tourism formed the Adventure Club in November 1991. River-rafting on Yamuna River near Hathinkkund, rock climbing, kayaking and camping are part of the adventure tours in Haryana. The villages in Haryana are drastically different from city life. Most of the people are still dependent on agriculture and their lifestyle is quite simple. What is worth noticing is the hospitality of the people. The village folks are the best guides to narrate more about the traditions and customs of the state. For tourists it will be a different experience altogether.
Visiting information on Haryana
HOW TO REACH
Air: The main airport in Haryana is in its capital city, Chandigarh. It is well connected with the cities of North India. The nearest international airport is at Delhi`s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Rail: The Indian Railways have well connected the rest of India to Haryana. The main railway station is Chandigarh.
Road: There is a good road network in the state that connects the cities of Haryana and its neighbours like Delhi, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. Some parts of the state are within the National Capital Region and are at a short driving distance from Delhi. A good network of National Highways and State Highways also serves other parts of the state.
Apparels and gold jewelries are best buys in Haryana. There are several malls throughout the state where one can buy these items. The Hariyanvi cuisine is delicious to munch. The travellers may try out local delicacies, such as, Kachri Ki Sabzi, Kheer, Singri Ki Sabzi, Mithe Chawal, Hara Dhania Cholia, Malpuas, Methi Gajjar, Churma and others.
Resorts are quite common in Haryana. Besides these the tourists can check into an accommodation unit that will suit their pocket. Local transportations, such as, taxis are easily available. Hence there would be no trouble in sightseeing or shopping. The best season to visit Haryana is from September to March.
