Haryana became a new state of India on 1st November, 1966 with Chandigarh as its capital. Haryana lies in the northern part of India and is bordered by the Indian states of Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The population of Haryana, according to the 2001 census, is 2,10,83,000. It has an area of 44,212 sq km. Hindi and English are the official languages, but Haryanavi is most widely spoken. Punjabi and Urdu are also used in many areas. Haryana is known for its brave soldiers, farming implements, Basmati rice, dairy products, rustic humour, and Murrah buffalos. Agriculture is the main occupation of a majority of people in Haryana. The state bird of Haryana is Kala Teetar (Black Francolin).

As the birthplace of ancient Indian Vedic Civilization, the 5000 year old history of Haryana is steeped in glory. It was in Haryana, that Lord Krishna taught us about Karma and Dharma through the Bhagwad Gita. Here Ved Vyas wrote Mahabharat (in Sanskrit) on the banks of river Saraswati. Recent archaeological excavation in Kunal and Banawali, are adding more to our knowledge of Haryana's history. Haryana has a rich variety of craft, folk dances and fairs & festivals.

Haryana Tourism, managed by the government of Haryana, is known throughout the country for trail-blazing performance. Haryana also offers excellent investment opportunities in the tourism and travel sector. Tourism Department has identified a number of new sites for creation of tourist complexes. Haryana Tourism manages a number of hotels, motels and restaurants in all the districts of Haryana. Hotel Rajhans (Surajkund) and Badkal Lake are on the Delhi Agra highway. Karna Lake (Karnal), Skylark, Parakeet and Kingfisher (Ambala) are on Delhi-Chandigarh highway. Yadavindra Gardens at Pinjore, on the Chandigarh Shimla road are a must see. Surkhab (Sirsa) and Flamingo (Hissar) complexes are on the Delhi-Fazilka national highway.

Shikra (Asa Khera): It is located 326 km from Delhi on Delhi-Ganga Nagar Road on an area of 3 Acres. It has a Guest House, Restaurant, Musical Dancing Fountains, Joy Rides in the Children's Park, Merry-Go-Round, Mini Train, Laughing Joker, Photography, Green Lawn and Parking Facilities.

Kala Teetar (Abub Shehar): It is located 325 km from Delhi on Delhi-Ganga Nagar Road on an area of 8.5 Acres. It is situated on the intersection of Rajasthan Canal and Bhakra Canal near Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan border. Facilities: Motel, Restaurant, Fast Food Counter, Boating, Children's Park, Mini Zoo, Arrangement for Party, Green Lawn, Parking Facility.

Kurukshetra is a great pilgrimage for Hindus and tourists from all over visit the venue of Mahabharat war and the birth place of the Bhagvad Gita. Building on its, historical and cultural traditions, it has developed in to a modern city having the Brahmsarovar, Sri Krishna Museum and the Science Museum (Panorama). Kurukshetra district is a tourist delight, and there are about 360 Tirthas of religious and historic importance.

The Delhi-Alwar highway boasts of a unique hilly attraction Sohna, in Gurgaon district. Standing on the Aravali Hills, Sohna looks out at a wide panoramic view of the plains below it. Sohna has been provided with landscaped gardens and an exclusive Barbet Hut complete with its own sitting area and an attached kitchen. A motel wing has been built here, where air-conditioned rooms are available for stay. In February, the Statesman Vintage Car Rally vends its way to the Sohna hill and Haryana Tourism celebrates the day with a Mela event.

Panchkula district has the Morni Hills - the only hill station of Haryana. Haryana offers a great opportunity for bird watching in Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary & National Park and Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary.

Mansa Devi temple lies in Bilaspur village, about three kilometres east of Mani Majra (Chandigarh UT). There are two temples here. The older one is said to have been built by the ruler of Mani Majra (1815 AD). The legend is that originally the shrine was in the territory of erstwhile while Princely state of Nahan and the stream which supplied water to the pilgrims visiting the temple, was cut off by some hill people causing great distress to the pilgrims. There upon the goddess appeared in dream of Gurbax Singh, ruler of Mani Majra and asked him to construct a temple for her at this place. This temple contains thirty-eight panels of wall paintings besides floral designs painted all over the ceiling and the arches leading into the temple. The drawings of the temple are not of high standard but a great variety of themes is illustrated. The other temple is said to have been constructed by Maharaja Karam Singh of erstwhile while Patiala State 1861 AD to commemorate his success in the battle against the Gurkhas. The fairs are held twice a year in March-April (chat shudi ashtami) and September-October (asoj shudi ashtami).

Kalka lies on the Panchkula - Shimla highway. It is the terminus of the broad gauge Delhi - Kalka railway line and the starting point of narrow gauge Kalka - Shimla railway line (opened in 1903). It forms the gateway of the Himachal Pradesh and most of the traffic and trade between the hills and the plains passes through it. The area now forming Kalka was part of erstwhile while princely state of Patiala but was acquired by the British in 1846 and was included in Shimla district. It was transferred to Ambala district in 1899. A famous Kalka Devi temple is located on the Kalka - Shimla road near octroi post. A fair is held every year in March April.

Haryana at a glance:
Date of formation: Haryana was carved out of Punjab in 1966.
Capital: Chandigarh
Area: 44,212 sq km
Districts:
Cities & Towns:
Roads:
National Highways ( km):
Population: 21,144,564; Male 11,363,953; Female 9,780,611.
Projected Population as on 1st March 2008 (000'): 23,772
Languages:
Literacy: % (1991 census)
Climate:
State Animal:
State Bird:
State Tree:
State Flower: To be declared