General Information
Population : 16,317,715
Area : 44,212sq kms
Population Density : 384 per sq km
Principal Languages : Hindi, Punjabi
Capital : Chandigarh
Literacy Rate : 55.3%
Religion : Hindus 89.35%, Sikhs 6.2%, Muslims 4.05%, Christians 0.09%
Best time to visit : October-March
Major crops : Barley, cotton, millets, oilseeds, pulses, rice, sugarcane, wheat
Mines & Minerals : Limestone, marble, sulphur,
Industries : Automobile, cement, dairy, sugar, textiles, paper, engineering
Introduction
Haryana, better known as the Green Land of India, can be divided into two natural areas: the sub-Himalayan Terai and the Indo-Gangetic plain. The plain is fertile and has slopes from the north to the south with a height above the sea level, averaging between 700 and 900 ft. The South-west of Haryana is dry, sandy and barren. For most of the year, the climate of Haryana is of a pronounced character -very hot in summer and markedly cold in winter.
Chandigarh the capital of both Haryana and Punjab, is despite the fact that it is quite strictly planned, a nice stop when you’re on your way to Amritsar or Leh. The city is known for the architectural mark the great French architect Le Corbusier left all throughout Chandigarh
History
Haryana has a proud history going back to the Vedic age. The state was the home of the legendary Bharata dynasty,.Haryana is immortalised in the great epic Mahabharata. Kurukshetra, the scene of the epic battle between the Kaurvas and the Pandavas, is situated in Haryana. The state continued to play a leading role in the history of India till the advent of Muslims and the rise of Delhi as the imperial capital of India. Thereafter, Haryana functioned as an adjunct to Delhi and practically remained anonymous till the first war of India's Independence in 1857, when the people of Haryana joined the leaders of Indian revolt against the British Government.
The Historic Perspective
Tourists from all over the world flock to this place for a walk down some important chapters of Indian history.
Cradled by the Himalayas in the north and the Aravallis in the south, the plains here are covered with those battle sites that have formed India 's history.
Haryana tourism highlights the famous battles of Panipat, which makes it a land with a glorious history. One of its important destinations is Kurukshetra, where Lord Krishna imparted the message of the Bhagwad Gita to the Pandava warrior, Arjuna.
An important event in the calendar is the Suraj Kund Crafts Mela that takes place at Gurgaon, on the Delhi-Haryana border in the first two weeks of February. Famous for its various excavation sites, Haryana has a rich and varied history - it has witnessed the rise and fall of many an empire. Haryana is coming up as a attractive travel destination due to its close proximity to Delhi , a number of services as well as recreational centers for tourists have come up.
With its excavation sites, Haryana takes you back to pre-historic times. It also boasts of various industrial towns and pilgrim centers. The state of Haryana has a distinctive character of its own.
The Picturesque Location
Haryana is cradled amongst the Shivaliks, the lowest Himalayan range and the Aravallis that places it at quite a favorable location. An elaborate network of rivulets and canals ensures an abundant water supply even though no major river runs through the area. During the monsoon the region is quite attractive as a carpet of grass covers the hills where one can spot foxes, mongooses, jackals and occasionally a lone tiger or panther.
A Modern State
The majority of the population is Hindus, other religions are also followed here. Enriched with a colorful culture and heritage, the state blends the modern with the traditional way of life.
Although it is a modern state with good transportation facilities and important industries, Haryana's prime occupation remains agriculture. It has an intricate irrigation network as well as a few deposits of mineral ores.
Arts & Crafts
In this state dominated by villages, craftsmanship is largely confined to pottery and various kinds of embroidery and weaving. Theatre, an integral part of the state, is very popular attraction in Harayana tourism, with the themes revolving around mythology and religion.
Music & Dance
The tradition of music and dance goes back to the times when India was the land of kings and queens, princes and princess
