Karnal- A Legendary Town
According to legend, this town was
founded by the Kauravas around the time of the Mahabharata for the
warrior Karna who was the son of Kunti and the Sun God. It was later
annexed by the Raja of Jind in AD 1763 and was taken from him by
George Thomas in 1797. The British established a cantonment in 1811
but abandoned it after 30 years due to the outbreak of malaria.
¤ Main Attractions
There are a few places of interest here, like the Kala Amb memorial,
an obelilsk commemorating the third battle of Panipat. Kalandar Shah’s
tomb, the Kos Minar (a watch tower), a small fort in Katju Nagar
called Trori sarai, Babur’s masjid and the tombs of Mukrab Ali
Khan, Mubarak Khan and Altaf Hussain Ali.
Two ancient inscribed red pillars have been discoverd in Amin, and
Bahlolpur is connected with the famous duel between Bhima and
Duryodhana (of the Mahabharata). Duryodhana had hidden himself in a
water tank, but came out after being jeered by Bhima, only to die at
his hands.
Now Karnal is the centre of Haryana’s national Dairy Research
Institute and claims to have ushered in the `white revolution’ by
producing great quantities of milk.
¤ Hotels & Restaurants
Jewel, Kunjpura Road, with a restaurant, fast food and a foreign
exchange facility, is a good place to stay.
Karna Lake, run by Haryana Tourism, located just off the highway has
deluxe huts, a restaurant and boating.
Oasis has 2 camper huts and a cafeteria. There is also a local dhaba
just opposite Karna Lake which serves pretty good food. However, avoid
the Imperial Bar.
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