At a glance Gurgaon is the most rapidly developing colonnade of Greater Delhi. Gurgaon located in the National Capital Region. It's lies close to the International and the Domestic Airport. About the city Gurgaon has emerged as the hub of IT and other new-age businesses. Its proximity to the national capital of Delhi is an added advantage. Gurgaon enjoys all the facilities available in Delhi. Gurgaon is home to offices of several MNCs. The Gurgaon district of Haryana has several places of tourist interest like the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Damdama Lake and Shama. Gurgaon is well linked by rail and road to Delhi, Faridabad and Jaipur. A fast developing city, originally it was named 'Guru Gram' or 'Guru Gaon' (the 'village of the teacher'). According to the famous epic Mahabharata, Yudhisthir gave this land to Guru Dronacharya for teaching warfare and the use of arms to the five Pandavas when they were young. This is said to be the place where Dronacharya taught archery to the Pandavas. During the Medieval period, the people of Gurgaon have experienced changing fortunes at the hands of Muslim Rulers. It was in end of 1803 that the East India Company took over possession of Gurgaon through a treaty signed by Surji Arjungaon. The battle of Indian freedom enlisted the support and active participation of people of Gurgaon. Events and Festivals Several events and festivals are celebrated with much enthusiasm in and around Gurgaon. Sohna Car Rally The annual Statesman Vintage Car Rally takes place in Sohna hill in February every year and Haryana Tourism celebrates the day with a mela event. Suraj Kund Crafts Mela Suraj Kund is the annual venue for Suraj Kund Arts & Crafts Mela, which is held in February every year. The Kartik Cultural Festival The Kartik Cultural Festival is an annual event held in November every year in the recently renovated Nahar Singh Mahal (fort) at Ballabgarh. The splendid old palace of Raja Nahar Singh comes alive to the sound of music, the movement of dance, and the festive gaiety of celebration. How to reach Distances Best Seasons Gurgaon is hot and humid in the summers, and cold in the winters. The average temperature ranges from 25°C to 46°C during summer and 2°C to 5°C during winter. The cold wave from the Himalayan region makes winters very chilly. In summers, the heat wave is immense and adequate precaution has to be taken before going out in the afternoons. The best time to visit Gurgaon is during the spring seasons of February to April and August to November. Cotton clothing is apt for the summer months whereas woolens are required for the winters. Places in and around Sohna Sohna has been provided with an exclusive Barbet Hut complete with its own sitting area and an attached kitchen. A motel at Sohna offers air-conditioned rooms for comfortable stay to the tourists. A four-bed dormitory, family huts and simple camper huts are available to suit the budget of various tourists. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is another major tourist attraction. Founded by Dr. Salim Ali it is situated 20 km from Gurgaon and 46 km from Delhi. A stretch at marshy land has been remodelled. Hundreds of species of migratory birds have winged in to stay in the sanctuary. During winters birds migrate from as far as Siberia and Europe. Darters, egrets, shovellers, gadwell and geese can be easily spotted in the sanctuary. Sultanpur is home to Teals, kingfishers, lapwings, sandpipers and demoiselle cranes. The hideouts, watchtowers and a museum attract bird watchers to the sanctuary. The guest rooms, restaurant, family cottages, bar, hide outs, water towers and catering is enjoyed by all the tourists to Gurgaon. Damdama Lake Damdama Lake Gurgaon also boasts of another tourist attraction - the Damdama Lake. Tourist facilities at the Lake include restaurant, bar, motel wing, conference hall, hovercraft, lawns and camping site, adventure activities and lake for boating. Shama Located on the Delhi-Jaipur highway is the Shama. Its location makes it a popular halt with the travellers. The motel, restaurant, bar and lawns make it an excellent excursion or weekend trip from Delhi. It has hosted several family gatherings and celebrations. Delhi Qutab Minar in Delhi There are several places to see, visit, and explore in Delhi. Delhi is an international metropolis with excellent tourist spots, recreational facilities, and a history that goes back to antiquity. A remarkable feature of Delhi is the extent of greenery all over. Delhi is also a dream city for visitors looking for items of handicrafts, not only the rich artistic crafts of its own craftsmen but also of craftsmen from all over the country. Amongst the must visits in Delhi are the India Gate, Red Fort, Lotus Temple, Chandni Chowk, Purana Quila, laxminarayan Temple, Humayun's tomb and Qutab Minar. Suraj Kund Suraj Kund is an excursion option Gurgaon. It is ideal place for picnic situated in Haryana. Excellent boarding and loading facilities are available here. You may enjoy boating in the Rajhans- Water Lake or stroll in the gorgeous green gardens. Karna Lake The man-made Karnal Lake is situated on the National Highway No.1 near Karnal. Thelovely green stretch celebrates one of the protagonists of the epic Mahabharatha- Karna. It attracts several tourists with its guest rooms, greenery, and well-equipped conference hall. The lake and the birds add to the charm of the lake. Kurukshetra Another excursion destination from Grurgaon is Kurukshetra, the land where the Bhagwad Gita originated. Kurukshetra has several places of interest like Brahma Sarovar, Narkatari Temple, Banganga, Nab hi Kamal, Gurudwara Rajghat, Kurukshetra Library, and the Crocodile Sanctuary.