Tourist Places in Sonipat
Sonipat, Located on the Delhi-Ambala railway line at a distance of 51 kms. from Delhi, it is the headquarters of the district and tahsil of the same name.Gazetteer of Delhi District throws some light about the origin of the name of the town as follows. "Sonipat is a town of great antiquity and was founded apparently by the early Aryan settlers. The town is picturesquely situated on the side of a small hill which, standing out as it does in a level plain, is evidently formed from debris of buildings, that have crumbled to decay on this one site during the town's long life of 300 years".
Among the ancient monuments, mention may be made of the mosque of Abdullah Nasir-ud-din and the tomb of Khawaja Khizar, a local saint and celebrity, built by Ibrahim Lidhi in 1351 A.D. Sonipat town is proud of having the oldest Muslim shrine— Dargah Mamu Bhaanza. The Dargah entombs the common grave of Hazarat Imam Nasiruddin and his child nephew Ibrahim.
A post and telegraph office, a telephone exchange, a P.W.D. rest house, a civil veteri-nary hospital, a civil hospital, an E.S.I. dispensary, two I.T. Is, a government insti-tute of surgical instruments and technology and a number of educational institutions of various levels are some of the places of public utility in the town. It is note-worthy to make a mention of Chhotu Ram State College of Engineering, Murthal, and Hindu College of Pharmacy existing in the town.
The Department of Tourism developed a tourist complex in Sonipat town named 'Chakor'. It provides the facilities of a restaurant and a bar. Under new develop-ment projects, a new complex at Rai is also planned.
Tourist Places
Ganaur:
This town, having the same name as that of the tehsil headquarters, is situated on the Ambala-Delhi railway line. It is also linked with G.T. Road.
One of the largest steel tubes plants in he country i.e. Bharat Steel Tubes Limited, is located in this town and as a result of which, the popularity of this town has also been enhanced to a certain extent. Besides, it has a very prominent grain market.
The places of public utility include a civil veterinary hospital, a civil hospital, a post office, an I.T.I., a municipal library and a police station.
Kharkhoda:
This newly formed town of 1991 Census is located at a distance of 19 kms from the district headquarters. It has an elected municipal body to run the municipal administration of the town which also contains the headquraters of the newly-created sub-tehsil of Kharkhoda. The historical site which is the tomb of Sayyad exists here and a fair is held annually.
The town nurses a number of places of public utility of which a college, a civil veterinary hospital, a civil dispensary, a post office and police station are worth mention-ing. It is an important grain market.
Rajlu Garhl (Ganaur Tehsil):
A monument i.e. a tomb at Rajlu a village of Ganaur tehsil located at a distance of 11 kms. from Sonipat, is popularly known as Bala Sayyad, a Muslim mendicant with large followers who were earned through his magic spells and charms, as per the legend in vogue. This tomb is visited by a large number of people, irrespective of caste and creed.
Morthal Khas :
The village of Morthal Khas (popularly known as Murthal) is situated 8 kms. from Sonipat. A popular explanation is that the area was abounded in beautiful birds, especially pea-cocks.
Haryana Breweries and Haryana Agro-Industries are also located here. Government of Haryana has also set up an engineering college named Chottu Ram State College of Engineering here, located in a spacious place and nearer to G.T. Road on DeIhi-Amritsar National Highway. A sports good manufac-turing complex has also been set up for allotment of sheds to entrepreneurs by the Haryana State Small Industries and Export Corporation.
Rai :
Rai village, which is also the headquarters of a community de-velopment block, is situated at a distance of 11 kms. from Sonipat and 32 kms. from Delhi on G.T. road. It is being developed into an industrial area. It has a premier sports institute—Moti Lal Nehru School of Sports.
Akbarpur Barota:
Akbarpur Barota is situated in proximity to Delhi at a distance of 6 kms. It is linked with Delhi by rail and road. There is an Akbari Darwaza here, which was raised 400 years ago. A mela in memory of Guru Nanak Devji is also held on the day of Holi.
Kundli :
The people of this village of Sonipat tahsil, at a distance of 18 kms. from Sonipat, revolted against the British in the Uprising of 1857.
Purkhas Rathi :
It is situ-ated at a distance of 10 kms. from Ganaur. A red bufsandstone sculpture of Harl Pitamaha was unearthed from this village. It is the only sculpture of this kind in the country. It is carved in a round shape and the backs of both the deities are missing, while the base part of the sculpture is broken.
