| NORTH
INDIA >> HARYANA |
| The small state of Haryana, spread
over an area of over 44,000 square kilometers, was
founded in 1966 when the former state of Punjab
was divided into Haryana and the modern Punjab.
It is both the oldest and most modern of places.
Most of tourists who come to India pass through
Haryana, the state that surrounds Delhi on three
sides, the capital of the country, and whose highways
lead to Agra, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh. |
History |
The history of Haryana
goes back to the period of the epics. Kurukshetra,
where the great battle of Mahabharata was fought
between the Kauravas and Pandavas, is situated in
Haryana. The state was the home of the legendary
Bharata Dynasty, which gave the name 'Bharat' to
India. Haryana continued to play an important part
in the history of India till the coming in of the
Muslims and the rise of Delhi as the capital of
British India. In 1857 AD, the people of Haryana
joined the Indian leaders in the revolt against
the British Government.
Fast facts |
Location |
Capital |
Population |
Area |
Language |
Largest City |
North India |
Chandigarh |
21,082,989 |
44,212 Sq.km |
Hindi, Punjabi |
Faridabad |
· Haryana Festivals :
Lohri
|
| Lohri marks the culmination
of winter, and is celebrated on the 13 Jan a day
before Makar Sankranti. For Punjabis, this is an
important festival. Lohri celebrates fertility and
the spark of life. People gather round the bonfires,
throw sweets, puffed rice and popcorn into the flames,
sing songs and exchange greetings. The prasad comprises
of things like til, gazak, gur, moongphali, phuliya
and popcorn. There is puja, involving parikrama
around the fire and distribution of prasad. This
symbolizes a prayer to Agni, the spark of life,
for abundant crops and prosperity. The first Lohri
of a bride is extremely important. The first Lohri
of a newborn baby, whether a girl or a boy, is also
equally important. Children go from door to door
singing and asking for the Lohri prasad. |
Basant
Panchami |
| This festival is
celebrated in Haryana, Delhi and Punjab to welcome
spring season. The main attraction of this festival
is Kite flying. |
Holi |
| Holi is celebrated
with considerable zest, particularly in the area
bordering Uttar Pradesh. Four days before the festival,
married women play Holi with their men folk by throwing
coloured water on them. The day following Holi,
Dhulandi (Phag), men folk throw water on women who
retaliate by a mock beating with sticks or kolras
(twisted cloth strips). The men act as if they are
powerless and they pretended attempts at shielding
themselves lead to much fun and amusement. |
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