Tourist Places in Panchkula
The Panchkula District comprises a region which is located in the valley of the Rig-Vedic river Saraswati.The district abounds in many ancient sites, the antiquity of which has been established by archeological explorations. Some other places have now acquired importance on account of their economic and industrial value. Still other places have been developed as tourist spots like Morni hills and Pinjore complex.
Mansa Devi Temple:
It lies in Bilaspur village, about three kilometers 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 shudiashtami) and September-October (asoj shudi ashtami).
Pinjore:
Pinjore is an ancient historical and religious place. It is said to he the earliest habitation of man and it is said that the early man lived in Pinjore region round about Chandigarh, one and half crores years ago. Tools of Tower Paleolithic period fabricated on Quartzite have been found from the region stretching from Pinjore to Nalagarh. The place is associated with Mahabharat as the five Pandvas who enroute to Himalayas during their exile stayed here for sometime. The place was then known as Panchpura Later corrupted to Pinjore. The name Panchpura was deciphered from the Pinjore Baoli inscription found from here. Important sculptures and other antiquarian remains recovered from the place can be assigned to the period ranging between 9th century A.D. to 12th century A.D. Pinjore is famous for the beautiful Mughal Garden called the Yadavindra Gardens
Morni Hills:
Morni Hills are offshoots of Shivalik range, which run in two parallel ranges. The village of Morni (Bhoj Jabial) lies on the mountainside, at 1220 meters above mean sea level. Traditions assign the name of Morni to a Queen who is believed to have ruled this area. Among the spurs of hills, lie two lakes, the larger is about 550 meters long and 460 meters broad and the other about 365 meters either way. A hill divides the two lakes but there is some Hidden channel, as the level of two lakes remains the same. The Haryana Govt. has developed this hill resort and provides facilities to tourists, a motorable road was constructed to connect the Morni hills with Haryana State Highway near Panchkula. A forest tourist hut "Lal Munia" and a PWD rest house were also constructed to accommodate tourists and trekkers.
Kalka :
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 form 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.
Urban Estate Panchkula:
It is enclosed by Ambala Kalka national highway, Ambala-Kalka railway line and Chandigarh-Panchkula-Shimla road. It is developed on outskirts of Chandigarh, amongst the picturesque background of the shivalik hills and the Ghaggar River. The township has been sub-divided into residential sectors, industrial sectors, parks and areas for regional recreation, markets and government offices. An ancillary industrial estate of HMT with built-up sheds has been established. Bharat Electronics Limited (A govt. of India Enterprise) was set up on approximately 23 hectares of land in industrial area of Panchkula. This unit is involved in the manufacture of electronic and communication equipment. The entire area lying between Ambala-Kalka national highway and the Ghaggar River has been earmarked for recreation. The area will have a golf course, a dear park, zoological garden, an exhibition ground and a children park etc. A Youth Hostel which provides cheap and comfortable accommodation for young tourists is situated on the bank of the Ghaggar. For travelers 'Red Bishop', a bar and a restaurant of Haryana Tourism is a comfortable stopover. A jainendra Gurukul was established there in 1929 which is now running as a high school. Panchkula is one of the most rapidly growing towns of Haryana. Senior citizens council Panchkula was launched in 1989 who have worked hard in establishing a 'Day Care Center for the Aged' . SOS Children's village association known as Bal Niketan, Panchkula is voluntary organization founded in 1978 by a group of devoted retired officers and eminent citizens to render complete assistance for rehabilitation of destitute children as normal respectable member of our society.
