Haryana - Geography, Arts & Culture, Climate Religions, Literacy, Population

Haryana State Capital Chandigarh Population ('000s in 1991) 16,464 Area ('000 sq. km) 44 Females per 1000 males (1991) 865 Literacy rate (1991) 55.8 Ratio of urban population (1991) 24.6 Net Domestic Product(Rs. million at current prices in 1992-93) 163,920 Per Capita Income(Rs. at current prices) 9,609 Principal Language Hindi

Haryana has a proud history, dating back to the Vedic age. The state of Haryana was home to the legendary Bharata dynasty, which gave the name Bharat to India. Kurukshetra, the scene of the epic battle between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, is situated in Haryana. Haryana was made into a full fledged state on 1st November 1966.

The state is bound by Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in the east, Punjab in the west, Himachal Pradesh in the north and Rajasthan in the south.

Haryana has no perennial rivers. The important rivers are Yamuna, the Saraswati and the Ghaggar. Several small streams flows through the state they are the Markanda, the Sahibi and Indori. Yamuna is the most important river in the state. It has its source in the hills at Kalesar and is the source of irrigation for large tracts in the districts of Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Hissar and Rohtak through the western Yamuna canals. The river Saraswati begins in the large depression at Kalawar in the north of the Mustafabad Pargana of Jagadhri. The Ghaggar rises in the outer Himalayan ranges between the Yamuna and the Sutlej.

The climate of Haryana over most of the year is of a pronounced continental character. It is very hot in summer and markedly cold in winter. The rainfall in the region is low and erratic except in parts of the Karmal and Ambala districts. The rainfall is unevenly distributed during the year except for two well marked seasons. One is the monsoon period lasting from the middle of June to the end of September on which autumn crop and spring sowing depend and the other is the winter rains which occur from December to February, benefiting rabi crop. Rainfall is meager, particularly in the districts of Mahendragarh and Hissar.

Haryana has a network of 43 tourist complexes, named after birds. These have been set up along the national / state highways and at districts, towns and at places around Delhi. Some of the tourist complexes in Haryana are Badhkal Lake, Dabchik, Jungle Babbler, Karna Lake, Kala teetar, Kingfisher, Parakeet, Magpie, Rajhans, Skylark, Sohna, Surajkund and Yadvindra Gardens at Pinjore. The internationally famous Surajkund Crafts Mela is held every year in the month of February, to promote Indian arts and handicrafts. The 'Mango Festival' and the 'Kurukshetra Festival' have also become popular annual events.