Morni Hills is a hill station in the Panchkula district of the northern state of Haryana, and is situated at a height of 1220 meters above sea level. Morni Hills are the small mountain ranges that surround the city of Chandigarh and Panchkula. Morni Hills include two extremely picturesque lakes that are situated within these mountain ranges. While the larger is about 550 m long and 460 m broad while the second lake is about 365 m from both sides. The hill divides both the lakes which are accompanied with a number of tributaries. The "Tikkar Taals" are one of the biggest attractions of Haryana tourism.
Etymology of Morni Hills
The Morni hill receives the name from the small village which lies on the mountainside. It is believed that Morni Hills are named after Queen Morni who used to rule this place at one point in history. It is a very serene and calm place and is much appreciated for its scenic beauty.
Flora and Fauna of Morni Hills
This place is paradise for all the nature lovers as there is a large variety of birds found here. Birds like Crested Kingfisher, Wallcreeper, Kalij Pheasant, Red Peafowl, Black Francolin, Himalayan Bulbul, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Grey Francolin and Oriental Turtle Dove are some of the often witnessed birds in the area. Various species of wild animals are also found in Morni Hills like Wild Boar, Hyenas, Hare, Langur, Jackals, Sambar and sometimes even Leopards.
Morni Hills is known for a large variety of flora and fauna. The hilltops are covered by Pine trees and slopes are covered by Jamun, Shisham, Jacaranda, Ritha, Neem, Mango, Pipal and Sal trees. During spring, when the flowers blossom on trees, it is quite a picturesque sight.
Amusement at Morni Hills
The area is decorated with 2 semi large lakes which are often considered to be sacred lakes of the area and a number of hill resorts which are developed by the State Government of Haryana. The area includes some well maintained swimming pools, ice skating rings and play grounds which recreate the tourists of all age groups. Tourists can enjoy splendid trekking and all day picnic in these spots which provide excellent opportunity for relaxation for the people who travel from busy cities. The place is an ideal place to indulge in adventure sports like trekking, rock climbing and many more. This area is further decorated with some natural waterfalls which flow in the muddy regions that provide spots for relaxation and photography.
Tikkar Lakes at Morni Hills
The biggest attractions of the area are these two main made lakes known as "Tikkar Lake" which is often referred as "Chota Tikkar" and "Bada Tikkar". There are two lakes in Morni Hills which are connected to each other in a mysterious manner and are even separated by a hillock. It is considered to be an auspicious and sacred lake by the locals and they gather here on various ceremonial occasions. The water level in both these lakes remains the same as these are connected to each other through a channel in a hidden way. There is a small temple situated on the banks of the lake which holds a Trimurti from the 12th century where Shiva Temple also existed.
Best Time to Visit Morni Hills
The best time to visit the place is from September to March. However one can also visit it during the other parts of the year as it remains fairly comfortable throughout the year. With splendid Pine forests and suitable climate these mountain ranges are best for trekking.
How to Reach Morni Hills
Morni Hills is at a distance of 45 kms from Chandigarh which makes it easily accessible. With well connected roads that come from Himachal Pradesh, the area is connected with both Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh from both sides. Surrounded with some valuable minerals this area is one of the richest tourist spots of Haryana.
