FARIDABAD CITY ATTRACTIONS Top

Bhadkal Lake   A splendid lake retreat lake retreat. A bastion of pleasure. A spot to holiday. Strange though it may seem, the lake is fringed by hills - 32 km from Delhi. A man made embankment holds back the waters of the lake making it a perfect spot for water sport. A flower show is held every spring here. It’s name is most probably derived from the Persian word bedakhal, which means free from interference. Close to Badhkal lake is the Peacock Lake, which is another picturesque spot.

Raja Nahar Singh Palace   The earliest parts of Raja Nahar Singh�s palace were constructed by his ancestor Rao Balram, who came to power in 1739. This construction continued in parts till about 1850. Today, urban centres have come up around the palace. But, the beauty of the palace continues to charm the visitors. Today the beautiful pavilions and courtyards of Raja Nahar Singh Palace glow once again with authentic royal ambience carefully emphasised by six tastefully decorated guest rooms, restaurant, bar, lounge and public areas, beautified with antiques, relics of a bygone past, stone jallies and intricately carved arches, that take one back to the times of the Raja Nahar Singh.

Dabchick   Dabchik at Hodal is a lively complex on the Delhi-Agra highway, some 92 km from Delhi. Dabchick stands in a 14 acre area, in which a variety of attractions have been built. A rolling effect is set off by the landscape treatment given to the area. In its limited enclosure, camper huts for budget tourists, camper cottages on stilts, air-conditioned accommodation in a motel, restaurant, bar conference and gift shop facilities have all been provided. A small lake lies behind the motel, where boating is possible. Animals for joy rides like an elephant, a camel and at times a pony are an integral part of the set-up. Fourteen friendly geese, one might find roaming all over the lawns, as residents of the complex. An occasionally, a snake charmer visiting the complex, may seem a surprise that is deeply fascinating Teej, festival of the rainy season, is a time for special celebrations.

Suraj Kund   Situated at a distance of around 8 Kms from South Delhi, it is an ideal picnic spot. The Suraj Kund Lake here is surrounded by rock cut steps. Built by rajput king Surajpal Tomar, Suraj Kund represents the rising sun. Ruins of a Sun temple lie around the lake. The complex includes a beautifully done-up Rajhans, a pool of fresh water - Siddha Kund; its waters said to have healing properties and a garden. A delightful handloom and handicrafts fair is held here annually in February. Skilled artisans from all over the country display the rich crafts tradition of India in the typical setting of a rural Indian marketplace. Cultural programmes like folk dances, magic, acrobats and rural cuisines are also a part of this colourful fair. One can also see traditional crafts being made and buy them direct from the craftsmen. Food is served in Banana leaves and claypots.

Arravali Golf Club   Aravalli Golf Course, on the Delhi-Agra Road (National Highway No 2), is at the foothills of the Aravalli Ranges in Faridabad, Haryana. Spread over 67 acres, it is a 9-hole golf course. This golf course conducts a tournament annually, in which amateur and veteran golfers participate. Membership is open to both Indian and foreign tourists. Facilities include golfing huts, restaurant, bar, conference hall, billiards and a club house. The course is 30 km from Delhi.

FARIDABAD EXCURSIONS Top

Sohna Lake   Sohna lies atop Arravallies hills in Haryana, just 60 kms from Delhi. Sohna is slowly picking up as a picturesque health-cum-holiday resort. Sohna got its name from a stream nearby whose sands are said to have littered with Gold. Sohna in Hindi means Gold. This is the last remnant of the Arravallies Northern ridge. To stay in Sohna is to relive life among picturesque beauty. The place is far from Delhi and thus appropriate to take a break from the madding crowd. Sohna by night is breathtaking. Every thing is so rural, so natural. Sohna is famous for its Sulphur spring. The water of the spring has medicinal qualities. The hot Sulphur water is a strong disinfectant for skin disease. The springs are located at the feet of a perpendicular rock, and are capped by a dome. The spa complex with sauna, Sulphur and steam bath facilities for the tourists is situated up on the rock.

Neemrana   Situated 122 km from New Delhi, on a rocky outcrop just above an unspoilt village, lies Neemrana, the site of a majestic fort built in 1464 by Prithviraj Chauhan III. The Neemrana Fort, as it is known, has now been converted into a heritage resort.

Mud Fort   Barely 80 km from the din and bustle of New Delhi stands the Mud Fort of Kuchesar, which was built in the mid-18th century by the Jat rulers. The fort has bravely withstood the onslaught of the Marathas, Sikhs, Rohillas, and Rajputs, as well as the French and East India Company. The fort was built with seven turrets so as to withstand the cannons of the British.

Agra   The city of Agra is 200 kms from Delhi. Agra was the capital of Mughals and the city has retained the Mughal fever in its buildings and social life. Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved ueen Mumtaz Mahal. Taj is one of the most extravagant monument ever built for love. The whole structure is built with white marble and is surrounded by fountains & gardens. Agra also has the imposing Red fort built by Akbar. Near Agra is the Fatehpur Sikri, which is also known as Red sandstone capital of Emperor Akbar. This city is built in Red sandstone and has some of the best examples of Rajputana architecture in combination with Moghul architecture. To reach Agra there are conducted tours from Delhi as well as state transport buses ply from Delhi. Today, modern convenience and luxury exist side-by-side - modern shopping malls and plazas, luxury hotels, wide avenues and a splendid choice of venues for amusement, business, sports activities, joy, education and the arts.

Mathura   Widely known as birth place of lord Krishna, Mathura is located on the western bank of river Yamuna. It is 145 Km southeast of Delhi and 58 Km north west of Agra in the State of Uttar Pradesh. For about 3000 Year it was the hub of culture and civilization. widely known as birth place of lord Krishna is located on the western bank of river Yamuna A city of great anti uity, it was also an important political center in historical period. Its strategic position contributed a lot to its emergence of a great center of trade and commerce also. A major city during the Buddha period (5th century BC) it served as the eastern capital of the great Kushan emperor Kanishka. Today, Mathura is replete with many temples and fine ghats along the river Yamuna and is a lively pilgrimage town. Located halfway in between Delhi and Agra, Mathura is easily accessible.

RELIGIOUS PLACES IN FARIDABAD Top

Shiva Temple   This beautiful Shiva temple is a marvel to watch. Devotees visit in hundreds everyday to chant mantras and offer prayers to Lord Shiva.

Sai Baba Temple   The Sai Baba temple is located in Sector 16A in Faridabad. A replica of Shridi Sai Baba's Idol Shridi has been established in this temple. Thousands of devotees visit this huge mandir and obtain blessings of Lord Sainath. There are separate places allocated for Dhuni and Dwaraka Mayee inside the mandir. For the needy, tailoring classes are conducted so as to enable the women to earn a good livelihood. Similarly, medical facilities are also provided.

Akshardham Temple   As you will move south from ITO, after a kilometre or so, you will find a grand monument rising elegantly to your right, the ambrosial Akshardham Temple. Nestling on the banks of river Yamuna over 100 acres of land, the temple is a modern signature of exquisite beauty. Akshardham means the eternal, divine abode of the supreme God, the haunt of eternal values and virtues of 'Akshar' as defined in the Hindu texts where a heart of devotion, purity and peace forever perches. Portraying an impeccable blend of breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss, the temple is a desired fruit of 5 years of non-stop, round-the-clock construction and blessings of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), which now manages this pristine architecture. The temple affords a beautiful matrix of marble and red sandstone, with many alluring sculptures that embellish its periphery. Come, experience divinity rising before your peeled eyes at Akshardham, where a religious poetry is offered to every individual heart.

Lotus Temple   Long before you savour the spiritual aroma of this peerless architecture, you will see a white chaste lotus soaring high from amidst the lush hills of Kalkaji in New Delhi. Lying to the east of Hauz Khas is the last of seven major Bahai temples build all over the world, the famous Bahá'í Mashriqu'l-Adhkar or Lotus Temple, as it is commonly known. The lotus-shaped shrine, since its arousal as a spiritual haven in December 1986, has carved itself on the consciousness of the city's inhabitants, awning their imagination, fuelling their curiosity, and remodelling the definition of worship. The lotus shape of this architectural marvel signifies secularity of all faith and creeds, a collective dream of all religion. Walk on the cobbled pathway towards the opulent edifice, and believe us, you will be overwhelmed with each step you take towards the melting pot of all religions. Twentieth-century architecture has been characterised by a high degree of technological prowess; by and large, peerless in aesthetic value.

Birla Mandir   The one thing that dominates the urbane skyline of Central Delhi is apparently the soaring spire of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. About 1.5 km due west of Connaught Place, this garish, modern, Orissan styled temple was erected by industrialist B.D.Birla in 1938 and was inaugrated by Mahatma Gandhi on the condition that people of all castes especially untouchables would be allowed in. The temple enshrines almost all the deities of the Hindu Pantheon, the presiding deity being Narayan (Vishnu, the preserver in Hindu trinity) and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity and good fortune. The revered shrine, nestling in the heart of the city, is as famous for its sanctity as for its architecture. Portraying an alluring blend of cream and red, the sacred shrine also affords a curious medley of Hindu mythology and ancient Indian architecture. Enjoy a visit to the temple to savour spirituality and legends, served in a different flavour.