Gurgaon The Millenium City

The name "Gurgaon" has some mythological connection because the city was the home to Guru Dronacharya and was called "Guru-Gram". Pandavas and Kauravas gifted the city to their respected "Guru" Dronacharya and during that time it was called "Guru-Gram". Later this name was changed to "Gurgaon".

Gurgaon is the northern part of Haryana is the main city of the National Capital Region of Delhi. The close proximity of Delhi International Airport also attracted private firms. The city is famous for its outsourcing and off shoring services.

Major industries in Gurgaon are from IT, ITES, auto manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors. The city is home to major IT companies and provides the best infrastructure in terms of schools, roads, housing societies and medical facilities.

Gurgaon also has a major manufacturing industry. Car manufacturing facilities include India's largest passenger car company, Maruti Suzuki. Hero Honda, the world's biggest motor cycle company is based in Gurgaon.

Better connectivity with Delhi and the International Airport makes the city a preferred destination for corporate bodies and foreign investors.

Retail is another big industry in Gurgaon, where there are 43 malls, including the biggest, Mall of India, giving Gurgaon the 3rd highest number of malls in an Indian city.

The per capita income in Gurgaon is 3rd highest in India after Chandigarh and Mumbai.

How to reach

By Air

The nearest airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport and Palam Domestic Airport in Delhi at a distance of just 15 km. Indira Gandhi airport is connected with most of the important international destinations by regular flights of the major airlines. Palam Domestic Airport is connected to almost all the major cities in India by regular flights of the Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, and Sahara Airlines apart from the other small domestic airlines.

By Train

Gurgaon is the nearest railway station connected to Delhi and many places in Haryana and Rajasthan by regular trains. New Delhi, Nizamuddin, and Old Delhi railway stations are important railway links from where one can get trains to almost all parts of the country.

By Road
Gurgaon is well connected by roads with Delhi and other parts of the country. An eight lane expressway runs between Delhi and Gurgaon and connects to NH8 (Delhi-Jaipur-Mumbai national highway). The expresswayconnects to Dhaula Kuan in Delhi over a distance of 28 km. The 32 lane toll gate at National Highway 8 is the largest in Asia and third largest in the world

Connectivity has improved with flyovers being operational on the NH8 highway and commuting from Delhi to Gurgaon hardly takes 45 minutes.

Buses from Gurgaon bus station leave for various destinations like AIIMS, Dhaula Kuan, and Karol Bagh.

Long distance bus service connects Jammu, Faridabad, Sonepat, Rohtak, Gohana, Jaipur and other places in Haryana as well as neigbouring states also.

Taxis, metered auto-rickshaws, private buses and state buses are available for local transport.

Metro Rail
Delhi Metro is one of the most convenient and swift mode of transport to the national capital New Delhi from Gurgaon. The closest metro station is IFFCO Chowk.

Shopping
Gurgaon is considered the "Mall Capital of India" as it is home to over 40 malls including the biggest, Mall of India

Shopping, dinning and entertainment can be availed at the shopping malls of Gurgaon like Sahara Mall, DLF City Center, DLF Grand Mall, DT Mall, DT Mega Mall, Metropolitan Mall and MGF Mega City.

Sports and recreation

Gurgaon has two 18 hole golf courses and the city has hosted the 2008 Johnnie Walker Classic Golf Tournament.

Places of Interest

Shiv Temple
Sheesh Mahal
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
Sultanpur Lake
Sheetala Devi Temple
Sohna
Damdama Lake

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, founded by Dr. Salim Ali is situated 16 km from Gurgaon. During winter birds migrate from as far as Siberia and Europe. 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. The best time to visit November-February as the chances of seeing the exclusive wildlife of this park is more in these months. The vegetation of this park is tropical and dry deciduous and the flora include grasses, dhok, khair, tendu, ber, jamun, acacia, andbanyan tree. The Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is home to a large range of birds, both resident and migratory. Migratory geese and Siberian cranes spend the winter in Sultanpur and there are also the demoiselle cranes, ruddy shelducks, pelicans, flamingoes, bar-headed geese, grey lags, gadwalls, mallards, pochards, shovellers and teals. Local species include plovers, red-wattled lapwings, herons, cormorants, white ibises, spoonbills and painted storks.Other wildlife in the park includeblackbuck, nilgai, hog deer, sambar, wild dog or dhole, caracal, wild cat,hedgehog, mongoose, striped hyena, Indian porcupine, rattle/honey badger, leopard, wild pig, and four horned antelope.

Sheetala Devi Temple

This famous Hindu temple is located one and a half kilometers in the suburbs of Gurgaon near a pond. Also referred to as a 'Shakti Peeth', the presiding deity of this temple is Mata Sheetala Devi the goddess of small-pox. It is held in great esteem throughout this part of the country. It is visited by a large number of pilgrims.

Sohna

Sohna is about twenty four km from Gurgaon. It is famous for its hot springs which have healing qualities for skin diseases of all kinds. 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. In February every year, a Statesman Vintage Car Rally to the Sohna hill is held and Haryana Tourism celebrates the day with a mela event.

Damdama Lake

Located a few kilometers South of Gurgaon off Alwar road. There is a adventure resort Water Banks, with deluxe tents along the lake side. There are facilities for boating and hot air ballooning.