New tourist region is on Delhi’s doorstep

The north Indian state of Haryana has set its sights on becoming one of the country’s most popular tourist regions. Stretching from the outskirts of Delhi to the borders of four other states including Punjab and Rajasthan, the Haryana border is just six kilometres from the Indira Ghandi International Airport, India’s busiest gateway.

Only a separate state since 1966 when the Punjab was divided in two, Haryana is a historic and prosperous region of green fields and small resorts; ideal for a relaxing day trip from Delhi – or a longer break.

Golf, farmhouse holidays and cultural tourism are among the niche markets Haryana is hoping to cultivate. The state boasts four golf courses including the DLF Golf & Country Club, an Arnold Palmer signature course which is regarded as among the best in the world. Its sprawling 6,000 square metre clubhouse includes an international spa and fitness centre and extensive conference and banqueting facilities.

The ITC Classic Golf Course on the outskirts of New Delhi was the first Jack Nicklaus course in South Asia and is owned by one of India’s leading corporations. It offers a championship 18-hole course and a nine-hole course.

Farm tourism is a public-private partnership initiative which currently involves 23 farmhouses close to Delhi.

Providing clean, modern accommodation and home-cooked food, visitors are offered the hands-on experience of daily life on a working farm including harvesting, bee-keeping and milking cows.

Speaking at World Travel Market, Haryana’s tourism minister Mrs Kiran Choudhry said the state’s tourism infrastructure was developing very quickly - helped enormously by the Indian Government’s decision two years ago to massively reduce bureaucracy. This had simplified many rules and regulations which had enabled greater foreign investment and actively encouraged privatization.

“Haryana has also been pioneering the concept of Highway Tourism which has seen beautiful tourist complexes being constructed close to some of the major roads passing through the state,” she said. “Each resort includes hotels, motels, bars, fast food centres, health clubs and conference halls.”

Among the most prestigious of these resorts is Surajkund 8kms from South Delhi, off National Highway No 8. Despite its close proximity to the capital, the ambience is entirely rural and the complex overlooks a tenth century amphitheatre. Surajkund also provides the setting for a renowned annual event, the fortnight-long Surajkund Crafts Mela held in the first two weeks of February which attracts hundreds of potters, weavers, silversmiths, woodcarvers and other artisans from all over India - together with musicians, folk dancers, acrobats and magicians.

Haryana is also proud of its many lakeside retreats including Badkhal Lake nestled among the Aravali Hills; and Karna Lake. Both feature self-catering cottages which, in winter, are particularly popular with birdwatchers.

Mrs Choudhry highlighted a two-day tour known as the North India Circuit which starts in Delhi and includes the heritage city of Kurukshetra, regarded as the birthplace of the Vedic civilization – the earliest civilization in Indian history - where there are no fewer than 860 places of pilgrimage. Mrs Choudhry said Kurukshetra was now being promoted as an international tourist destination.

Other places of interest on the North India Circuit include the historic city of Panipat which is also well-known for its handloom products; the Morni Hills where there is the opportunity for boating, mountain bike riding, nature walks and mountaineering; and the Yadavindra Gardens at Pinjore.

These were created in the 17th century by a cousin of the then Emperor, Aurangzeb, who ruled northern India for 48 years. Haryana Tourism has been overseeing an innovative conservation project to restore the gardens and the adjacent fortress walls to their original splendour.

The tour also includes Haryana’s capital, Chandigarh, the most modern city in India which was designed from scratch by the French architect, Charles-Edouard Le Corbusier in the late 1940s.