Gurgaon is a city in India, situated in the state of Haryana and immediately south of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Located 32 kilometres (20 mi) southwest of New Delhi and 268 km (167 miles) southwest of Chandigarh, the state capital, Gurgaon has a population of 876,824.[1] Witnessing rapid urbanization, Gurgaon has become a leading financial and industrial hub with the third highest per capita income in India. Historically known as Guru Gram, the city's economic growth story started when the leading Indian automobile manufacturer Maruti Suzuki India Limited established a manufacturing plant in Gurgaon in the 1970s.Today, Gurgaon is center for more than 250 Fortune 500 companies.

Etymology

The origin of the city's name can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures. It is believed that this land was owned by the legendary rulers Pandavas and Kauravas, who presented it to Guru Dronacharaya, their royal guru for warfare, as an appreciation of his training. The land came to be known as Guru Gram, which literally translated means "Village of the Guru", which in due course of time got distorted to the name Gurgaon. The village still exists within the modern day city.

History

Gurgaon was historically inhabited by the Hindu people and in early times, it formed a part of an extensive kingdom ruled over by Rajputs of Yaduvansi or Jadaun tribe. The Rajputs were defeated by Muhammad of Ghor in 1196, but for two centuries they sturdily resisted the Muhammadian domination and they were subjected to punitive expedition. Under the rule of Feroz Shah Tughlaq, several were converted to Islam. This was followed by the invasion of Timur and the land was ruled by Khanzadas. It was then annexed by Babur.During Akbar's reign, Gurgaon fell within the governing regions of Delhi and Agra. As the Mughal Empire started to decline, the place was torn between contending powers. By 1803 most of it came under the British rule through the treaty of Surji Arjungaon with Sindhia. The town was first occupied by the cavalry unit posted to watch the army of Begum Samru of Sirdhana. It became a part of the district, which was divided into units called parganas. These units were given to petty chiefs for the military service rendered by them. The units were governed by the rules that British kept on changing and eventually these units came under direct control of the British, with the last major change in 1836. Nothing much changed in Gurgaon until the Revolt of 1857. In 1858, it was transferred from the North-Western Provinces to Punjab Province. In 1861, the district, of which Gurgaon was a part of, was rearranged into five tehsils Gurgaon, Ferozepur Jhirka, Nuh, Palwal and Rewari and the modern day city came under the control of Gurgaon teshil. In 1947, Gurgaon became a part of independent India and fell under the Indian state of Punjab. In 1966, the city came under the administration of Haryana with the creation of the new state.

Geography

Gurgaon is located in Gurgaon district in the Indian state of Haryana and is situated in the south eastern part of the state, and northern part of the country. The city is located on the border with Delhi with New Delhi to its north east. The city has a total area of 738.8 square kilometres (285.3 sq mi)

Places to visit Gurgaon

Aliwardi Masjid

This 200 years old mosque believed to be built by the founder of Aliwardi village, Nawab Aliwardi Khan is situated 2 km north of the old Tehsil office in Gurgoan. This magnificent building was constructed in a simple style with local materials. A tomb located near to the mosque, supposed to be of Nawab Aliwardi Khan, was constructed with an artistic framework of red stone.

Ata

Ata is a small village at Nuh taluk, located 5 kms east of Sohna on Sohna- Hathin Road. During the time of Gurjara-Pratiharas, it was an important center of art and architecture. Early historic pottery and late medieval remains have been excavated from this place. The beautiful statues of Uma Maheshvara seated on Nandi of early medieval period and Adinath of medieval period are among them.

Badshahpur

Badshapur is situated in Gurgaon, Haryana, India.

Camp Hammock is located at Badshahpur - a small village around 14 km from Gurgaon. This camp resort features 20 luxury Swiss cottage tents.

Baoli Ghaus Ali Shah

It is in Farrukhnagar town in Gurgaon District. A large octagonal Baoli stepwell, also known as Ali Gosh Khan Baoli, with stone staircases is considered a monument of importance.

Damdama Lake

Covering an area of 3000 acres, Damdama lake is one of the biggest natural lakes in the state of Haryana, situated about 20kms from Gurgoan on Gurgoan - Alwar road. Surrounded by the Aravali Mountains, it is one of the popular picnic spot to spend the weekend holidays in the city. The ranges gives a scenic atmosphere to the lake and one can enjoy boating in row boats, paddle boats and motor boats. Damdama lake provides ample scope for adventure lovers. There are facilities to enjoy trekking near the Aravalli Hills. Apart from these, other attractions here are hot air ballooning, para Sailing, kayaking, cycling, angling, rowing, fishing and nature walks.

Best time to visit the lake is from October to March , late summers and monsoons. Damdama lake is a natural home for birds and more than 190 species of birds, migratory as well as local, visit here during winter season i.e from November to March. Some of the major birds seen here are water fowl, cranes, cormorants, terns, egrets, kingfishers etc.

Along the lake side, there are several resorts like Botanix Nature resort, Dream Island Resort , Waterbank Island Resort ,Sans Eco Adventure Resort and and one can enjoy day trip or overnight packages here with family or corporates groups. These resorts has many features to attract the tourist like restaurant, bar, motel wing, conference hall, hovercraft, lawns and camping site.

Saras Tourist Complex, run by Haryana Tourism Corporation Limited is located on the bank of Damdama Lake. There are around 15 cottages built in the design of traditional huts and each of these cottages has a separate balcony facing the lake.

Dhankot

Dhankot, situated 11 km west of Gurgoan on Gurgoan - Farrukhnagar Road has mythological significance. It is believed that it was from this place that milk was supplied to Guru Dronacharya and his pupils at Gurugram (Gurgoan). According to Buddhist literature, Dhankot is also known as Thullkottiha and Lord Buddha is said to have visited this place.

Farrukhnagar Fort

It is in Farrukhnagar town in Gurgaon District. Dilli Darwaza (Delhi Gate), with its impressive bastion, is an important feature of the fort, it is one of three surviving entrances to the town, out of earlier five gated entrances which have slowly been build into by the growing town.

The Dilli Darwaza was restored in 2009 by INTACH, along with the Patli Darwaza (after near by Patli) and the Jhajjari Darwaza, (after near by Jhajjar town). The rest of the fort though now mostly in ruins once housed over 4,000 people.

Ferozpur Jhirka

Located 82 km south on the main road from Gurgoan to Alwar, Ferozpur Jhirka is the headquarters of a town which was founded by Firoz Shah Tughluq. The town, built as a military post for putting down neighbouring turbulent tribes, is bordered by a magnificent wall which is now in ruins. This place is called Jhirka because of a Jhir, a spung, from a perennial stream which issues from a number of fissures in the rocks nearby. The old part of the town is rectangular in shape.

Havelis

It is in Farrukhnagar town in Gurgaon District. A set of old havelis in the main town are in good condition, and boast of frescoes, and post-Mughal architectural features.

Jama Masjid

It is in Farrukhnagar town in Gurgaon District.

This Friday Mosque was also built by Faujdar Khan, in red sandstone. Two slabs of red sandstone on the southern wall bear Arabic inscriptions dating to the period of Sultan of Delhi, Ghiyas ud din Balban (1200-1287).

Leisure Valley Park

The Leisure Valley Park, spread over an area of 25 acres is one of the best open garden located at Sector 29 main road in Gurgoan. The major attraction of the park is the mighty musical fountain, which is one of its kind in the city. The fountain that illuminates at night, gives the place a glittering effect and makes the valley very attractive. Water gushes out of these fountains of different kinds to make a pattern and it gives a picturesque view.

The leisure valley is a perfect place to spend an evening with the loved ones. The vast green space of the park is fully decorated with water body, rose garden with different variety of roses, ornamental trees, fancy lights and beautiful concrete path ways. There is a jogging track suitable for health conscious people. The entry to the park is free. Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has constructed a shopping complex and a restaurant with enormous parking space around the valley.

Malab

The small village of Malab, located 5 km south of Nuh on Gurgoan Alwar Road, is renowned for one of the highest mounds in the region. Malab is a place is of great archeological significance. Many coins of Kanishka, Kushanas and Muslim rulers have been excavated from and around the village.

Masani Fair

Masani fair is one of the most famous fair held in honour of the goddess of small-pox at Shri Sheetala Mata Mandir. The fair is celebrated in the month of April- May in honour of the goddess of small-pox and devotees come here to offer their pujas with the belief that the goddess will protect them from the the dangerous disease. Folk songs, dances, dramas, dances and cultural functions are the common sights during the fair.

Modern Gurgaon

New Gurgaon is the modern part of Gurgaon. It has modern facilities and a planned infrastructure. It has developed more because of more connectivity options to the capital. The fact remains that most of the people living there still frequent Delhi regularly for work. The growth prospect, increasing employment opportunities and a cleaner environment has propelled the growth forwards. Gurgaon with its location on NH8 closer to international airport, offering world-class new commercial development, office destination, coporate hub, BPO companies, IT companies etc.

It is Gurgaon that has initiated organized retail boom in Delhi and NCR in the form of malls. Gurgaon boasts of over half a dozen operational malls like MGF Metropolitan Mall, MGF Plaza, Sahara Mall, DLF Mega Malls, Gold Souk.

Nuh

Nuh is a small town and the headquarter of the Nuh Tehsil situated about 45 km south of Gurgoan on Delhi-Alwar Road. The town is famous for the trade in Salt, which was manufactured, in the neighboring villages in the time of Bahadur Singh of Ghasera. To the west of Nuh, there is a tank made of red sandstone adorned with beautiful floral designs.

At a distance of 2.5kms from the town, there is a tomb of Sheikh Musa built in the combination of Muslim and Rajput style of architecture which is known for its shaky minarets. Located about 6.5 km south of Nuh in the village of Kotala, is a mosque and the tomb of Bahadur Khan Nahir which were built with a skillfull combination of red sandstone and Grey quartzite.

Pataudi Palace

Pataudi, a small village located 26 kilometer from Gurgoan, at the foot hills of the picturesque Aravalli hills. The Pataudi palace here belongs to the Indian cricketing legend and royal scion Nawab Mansur Ali Khan, better known to his fans as Tiger. This magnificent white palace, designed by Heinz, was built in 1935 by Nawab Ibrahim Ali Khan, the father of Mansur Ali Khan. It is spread over area of 25 acres with large open green areas, well manicured lawns and a lovely garden over a large part of the estate.

Now the palace has been converted into a luxurious heritage hotel belongs to Neemrana Group. The grand and pristine Pataudi palace with its white exterior is modified with stylish and attractive interior decorations , wonderful verandahs, elegantly decorated and well-ventilated bedrooms , guest rooms with old model furniture and modern facilities , old-style attached bathrooms with noble and dream spaces and a splendid conference hall.

The entrance hall is adorned with images of Pataudi's cricket days and his marriage with the famous actress Sharmila Tagore including their children Saif and Soha. The garden of the palace is well maintained with beautiful water fountains in different shapes and sizes. There is a also a cricket ground in the garden premises.

About 8 km from Pataudi at Inchapuri, there is a Mahadeva temple famous for its fair that is held in the month of November. Another famous place to visit here is the Ashram Hari Mandir Sanskrit Vidyalaya.

Saiyad

It lies 3 km west of Gurgaon on Gurgaon Dharampur Road. Traditionally, the site is believed to be the residential place of Guru Dronacharya and his pupils. The site has yielded Painted Grey Ware and late medieval remains.

Sanghel

Sanghel is one of the highest mountain situated 13 km east south of Nuh on Nuh Hodal Road. It is a beautiful scenic locale and there are several stone sculptures signifies the images of Varaha and Narasimha of medieval period and Lakshmi of late medieval period. One can also find grey ware paintings and historic wares of ancient period at this place. A village named Ujina well known for its picturesque lake is located near to Sanghel.

Sethani Ki Chhatri

It is in Farrukhnagar town in Gurgaon District. A elaborate memorial cenotaph in the shape of a two-storeyed chhatri, which is a pillar pavilion is situated on the Jhajjar road at the entrance to the town. It has eight arched openings on each floor and floral decorative motifs are used profusely.

Chhatri though typical to Rajasthani architecture, it was later adapted into Mughal architecture. The name suggests that it belonged to a merchants wife, and is decorated with inscriptions and frescoes from Haroti region in Rajasthan.

Sheesh Mahal, Farukhnagar

Sheesh Mahal alias Palace of Mirrors is one of the local historic attractions in Farukhnagar, around 21 kms from Gurgoan. : The palace of the Nawab of Farrukhnagar aligns the main bazaar of the town as do many other heritage structures in the town. Built by Nawab Faujdar Khan in 1793, this major protected monument is a rectangular double storied edifice built with local stone, slate and lime.

It is a double-storey structure in red sandstone, Mughal bricks and Jhajjar stone, used commonly in the buildings of the period in the district. It has decorative interiors of elaborate mirror inlay work, hence its name, Sheesh Mahal (Glass Palace). Its baradari , literally a pavilion with 12 doorways, now houses Municipal committee office, once housed a school.

The palace opens on to a large courtyard with water channel in the centre, it was fed by a nearby baoli or stepwell, it is also believed that in olden days, the queen used to visit the baoli for taking bath from Sheesh Mahal through a tunnel, which has since been closed.

Shri Sheetala Mata Mandir

Shri Sheetala Mata Mandir (Masani Temple)also referred as 'Shakti Peeth' is a well known temple located one and a half kilometers in the suburbs of Gurgoan near a beautiful pond. The presiding deity of the temple is Shri Mata Sheetla Devi also known by the names Bhagat Lalita Ma and Masani Ma is the incarnation of Goddess Durga. The word Sheetala refers to the disease smallpox and it is believed that the person's suffering from this disease will be surely recovered by praying to Sheetla Devi . The statue of the deity, weighing 4kg is made up of mixed metal with gold polish and is kept in a wooden casket which is in turn placed on a small marble platform in the temple.

The temple is thronged by a large number of devotees throughout the year, especially on Mondays during the Hindu month of Chaitra (i.e in March and April). Devotees visit this temple mainly to conduct the mundan (first shaving off the heads) ceremony of their children and offer the crop of hair at the altar of goddess. People suffering from small pox performs a ritual named 'Jal dema' by spending a whole night in the temple, chanting hymns and songs in honor of the goddess. Married couple also visit here to get the blessings of the goddess for a happy married life. The annual Masani Fair celebrated here is a major draw attended by thousands of devotees from far and near.

There is a legend about this temple. There was a shrine, sacred to the goddess Devi, locally known as Masani at the village of Kesopur in the Delhi district. Some two hundred and fifty years ago according to tradition, the Goddess appeared in a dream to one Singha, a Jat of some influence and a resident at the village of Gurgoan. The Devi communicated to Singha that she wished to leave Kesopur and directed him to construct a shrine for her in his village. At the same time, she authorised the fortunate Singha to appropriate all the offerings at her shrine. The orders of the goddess were promptly carried out. The shrine was built and flourished, its fame spreading far and wide.

Shrine of Budho Mata

It is in Farrukhnagar town in Gurgaon District. The nearby village Mubarakpur 5 km from Farrukhnagar, is famous for this shrine, where a fair is held every Wednesday.

Sita-Ram Mandir

It is in Farrukhnagar town in Gurgaon District. The temple is dedicated to Hindu Gods, Rama-Sita, and also serves the purpose of Gurdwara, though the structure with its three domes, resembles a mosque.

Sohna Car Rally

Sohna Car Rally alias Vintage Car Rally is the festival of the old cars, which is conducted every year in the month of February at Sohna, a beautiful hilly spot located on the Delhi Alwar highway. Sohna Car Rally was started in the year 1964 and from that time onwards it has achieved a nation wide significance. This traditional car rally starts at Delhi and then passes through Gurgoan and finally reaches Sohna.

Old cars like Rolls Royce to the rougher and tougher Fords and Austins, which once gale in the roads is now contesting with each other in the rally in order to achieve popularity. It is a tough competition in every field right from reinstallation to maintenance and performance.

It is one of the major events of Gurgoan, attracting thousands of car lovers from all over the country. Sufficient accommodation facilities are available at Sohna during this time. Haryana Tourism celebrates this day with a mela event.

Sohna Sulphur Springs

The small town of Sohna is an important tourist place, located 24kms from the city on the highway from Gurgoan to Alwar, near a vertical rock. The town derived its name from the gold dust which was found from the sands of streams, after heavy rains in the beds of the neighbouring torrents. The place can be accessible only by foot through narrow paths which are unreachable to vehicles.

Sohna is well - known for its hot water springs. The water is strongly sulphurous and its temperature varies from 46? C to 51.7 ?C. In ancient times, sohna is believed to be the abode of hermits and the main kund ( tank) called Shiv Kund, is said to have medicinal properties and curative effect. Devotees considered it as sacred and during solar/lunar eclipse and Somavati Amavasya, they gather here for taking a dip in the water.

This picturesque health-cum-holiday resort lies atop the Aravalli hills offers a breathtaking view of the landscape below. Haryana Government has built a Barbet Hut complete with its own sitting area and an attached kitchen for tourists. A motel wing has air-conditioned rooms for stay. A four bed dormitory, family huts and simple camper huts have been built for every-budget tourists. The facilities like bar, restaurant, green lawns, health club with steam/ sauna/ sulpur baths, mini splash pool are also available.

The night view of Sohna is breathtaking. Every year in the month of February, a Statesman Vintage Car Rally to the Sohna hill is held and Haryana Tourism celebrates the day with a mela event.

Sultanpur Lake Bird Sanctuary

Sultanpur Lake Bird Sanctuary sprawls over an area of 143sq.km is located on the Gurgoan - Farukh Nagar Road, at a distance of 16 km from Gurgoan and 46 km from Delhi. This small sanctuary, founded by Dr. Salim Ali, is well known for migratory and indigenous birds. During winter season, birds migrate from as far as Siberia and Europe.

The sanctuary is the home to hundreds of various mammals like Blackbuck, Blue bull, Nilgai, Hog deer, Sambar, Wild dog or dhole, Caracal, Wild cat, Hedgehog, Mongoose, Striped hyena, Indian porcupine, Rattle badger, Leopard, Wild pig and Four horned antelope.

The sanctuary has fertile soil which is carpeted with lawns, trees, shrubs and heaps of bougainvilleas. The flora includes grasses, dhok, khair, tendu, ber, berberis and neem and acacia. The Sultanpur Lake located within the sanctuary offers boating facilities. There are hide outs, watch towers and a museum of sorts for those keen on serious study. Guest rooms, restaurant, family cottages, bar, hide outs, water towers and catering wing, are there for bird watchers and tourists.

Ujina

It lies 10 km east of Nuh on Nuh Hodal Road. The village is known for its lake. The mound has yielded Painted Grey Ware and early historic wares. The stone sculptures located at the site represent Varaha and Nrsimha of medieval period, and Lakshmi of late medieval period.

Urusvati Museum of Folklore

The Urusvati Museum of Folklore, located at Madhram in Shilkopur Village, Gurgoan, is a treasure store of Indian folk stories. Sprawl over an area of five and half acres of land, the museum lies on the way to Jaipur.

Urusvati Museum of Folklore is the only museum of its kind which showcases the legendry love stories of country through trans-lights, dioramas, painting, prints and sculptures. The exhibits here include various paintings, folk art, crafts, sculptures and dioramas along with costumes, jewelries, folk musical instruments and potteries etc. The museum provide sufficient parking area and within the premises there is a souvenir shop and a cafeteria.

Other Places

Malls and Shoping Complexes, Suraj Kund, Rajhans, Water Lake etc.