Panchkula: Temples, Gardens and Nature in Haryana

Panchkula, in the Indian state of Haryana, offers a range of options for a trip: the Mata Mansa Devi temple, gardens in Pinjore, the Morni Hills with their lakes, and nature and wildlife breeding centres. Leisure activities also include the Panchkula Golf Club course and the five pools at Aqua Village Pinjore. When looking for a holiday rental in Panchkula, you can first consider whether religious sites, botanical gardens, hilly landscapes or active leisure pursuits should shape your stay.

Temples and religious sites

Mata Mansa Devi is a Hindu temple in Panchkula district, dedicated to the goddess Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti. The temple complex covers 100 acres (0.40 km²) in the Shivalik foothills. It is located in Bilaspur village near Mani Majra and Panchkula, and 10 km from Chandi Mandir. These details give the religious site a specific place in the region’s landscape.

Two Navratra melas are held each year at the shrine complex. One falls in the month of Ashvin and is also called Shardiya, Sharad or Winter Navratra; the other takes place in the month of Chaitra as Spring Navratra. Both melas are organised by the Shrine Board. Those interested in religious traditions can discover these recurring festivals as a distinct aspect of the trip, in addition to the temple itself.

Another religious site is Gurudwara Nada Sahib. It is located in Panchkula, on the banks of the Ghaggar River in the Sivalik foothills. The temple and gurudwara thus represent different religious sites within the district.

Gardens, hills and lakes

Yadavindra Garden is in Pinjore, in Panchkula district, and is also known as Pinjore Gardens and Pinjor Gardens. Garden enthusiasts may also want to visit the Cactus Garden in central Panchkula, now the National Cactus and Succulent Botanical Garden and Research Centre. Covering seven acres, it contains more than 2,500 species of cacti and succulents. Its large number of species and clearly defined botanical focus make it a distinct nature attraction alongside the gardens in Pinjore.

The Cactus Garden is open daily. From April to September, opening hours are 9 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm; in March and October, it is open from 9 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm. You can take these seasonal opening hours into account when planning your day.

Morni is the only hill station in Haryana and is located in Panchkula district. The Morni Hills have two lakes: the larger is about 550 metres long and 460 metres wide; the smaller measures approximately 365 metres in both directions. These approximate measurements distinguish the two bodies of water without providing further information about routes or length of stay. Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary adds to the district’s nature attractions. It covers 767.30 hectares (1,896.0 acres).

Golf, water and conservation

Panchkula Golf Club has an 18-hole golf course designed as a championship facility. The course covers approximately 135 acres on the western bank of the Ghaggar River. Those wishing to make golf the focus of their stay will find a clearly described option that differs in theme from the temples, gardens and nature reserves.

Aqua Village Pinjore has five pools: a family pool, a children’s pool, a wave pool and two concentric pools with slides. When planning a trip with children, the water park can be considered a distinct focus alongside cultural and landscape attractions.

Conservation is also represented in Panchkula. The Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre in Pinjore is a dedicated conservation and breeding facility. The Pheasant Breeding Centre is in Morni; the Red Junglefowl Breeding Centre is in Berwala. The Forest Department established this centre for conservation purposes. Red junglefowl, cheer pheasants and kalij pheasants are bred there for release into the wild; this work supports conservation and biodiversity. Alongside its landscapes and leisure activities, the region’s centres add another distinctive feature focused on protecting bird species.

If you are looking for a holiday rental in Panchkula, these varied interests can help you decide on the focus of your trip: religious sites, botanical diversity, lakes and hills, golf or water-based activities. Nearby destinations include Kalka and Gorakh Nath. Other destinations at the same level: Mahendragarh, Rohtak, Sirsa, Kurukshetra, Sonepat and Jind.

For the higher-level travel overview: Haryana.