Just around the corner from south Delhi,
a mere eight-kilometre drive away lies
Surajkund with its large sun pool
and amphitheatre. Built during the 10th century AD by Raja Suraj Pal of the
Tomar dynasty, Surajkund combines proximity to the national capital with many
amenities and comforts in an ambience that is typically rural and far away from
the trappings of the urban centres.
Also within an easy motoring distance from New Delhi is the
Badkhal Lake.
Here, the Aravali hills are on the fringe and the lake offers special opportunities
for water sports such as canoeing, kayaking or just a simple boat ride. In addition,
there is a luxury yacht for those interested. But the real attraction of Badkhal
Lake are its serene waters around which small cottages have been built at an
elevation, thus affording the occupants a splendid view of the lake alive with
the activity of birds during the winter months.
Farther afield, yet well connected to Delhi and on the National Highway No 1,
is another manmade lake, named after
Karna, one of the heroes of the
epic Mahabharat. Having been carved out of a marshy area, the Karna Lake offers
all the advantages of a designer complex with charming cottages overlooking
a landscaped garden and tall eucalyptus trees planted to act as a barricade
against the noise of the highway. Other trees and the emerald waters of the
lake become the home for the pied crested kingfishers, darters, ducks and geese
during the winter months.
Haryana is proud of its many lake retreats besides Badkhal and Karna. There
is the
Tilyar Lake at Rohtak, 70 kilometres away from Delhi, with facilities
like boating and kayaking. In a different direction and located 64 kilometres
from Delhi on the old highway to Alwar, is the Damdama Lake with cottages built
on higher ground and mirrored in the calm waters of the lake. A camping complex
for the adventurous is also there and facilities for sports such as rock climbing
on the surrounding Aravali ranges, canoeing, kayaking, cycling and trekking
are all available.
Not far from the
Damdama Lake is Sohna, named thus after traces of gold
were found in the nearby waters in the old times. Sohna has become quite popular
due to the annual Vintage Car Rally that takes place in February. Motorists
drive the 56 kilometres from Delhi and come to rest and picnic here, half way
away from the venue of the rally.
If one wants to get away from Delhi towards the shadow of the mountains, there
are the
Yadavindra Gardens at Pinjore, just 22 kilometres from Chandigarh.
Here, a historic building belonging to the 17th century is set in a Mughal garden,
with a waterway surrounded by green lawns. A later addition to this beautiful
spot is a Japanese garden.
Kurukshetra in Haryana is the name given to an area covering 48 kosas
(an Indian unit of measuring land) where 860 places of pilgrimage related to
the Mahabharata exist today. The important sites are the Brahma Sarovar, Sannihit
Sarovar, Gurudwara Sadbhiti, Thaneswar Tirtha, and Rajghat.
Near Kurukshetra,
Thaneswar is a sacred town for Hindus because Lord
Shiva in the form of the lingam (phallic representation of Shiva) was first
worshipped here. Also situated here is the tomb of Sheikh Chilli Jalal. It is
a fascinating monument, octagonal in shape, crowned with a dome of white marble
and surrounded by a white marble courtyard. Also worth a visit are the Chini
Masjid and Pathar Masjid, two outstanding Islamic monuments.
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