Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated a hot air balloon safari in Pinjore on Wednesday in an effort to boost tourism in the state. This newly launched recreation facility will not only offer visitors new tourism activities apart from the existing ones but it will also allow them to familiarise themselves with the historical background of Pinjore. The place has mythological significance as well. Pinjore, earlier known as Panchpura, was the place where the Pandavas stayed during their exile before Mahabharata.
Chief Minister Khattar entered into a hot air balloon ride and went up high in the air while waving to his supporters who stood on the ground.
Khattar upon returning from the ride said, "In Haryana also there are a lot of possibilities for tourism...Discussions on hot air balloon were going on for a long time with a company however it was not that viable...After having talks with the company, the project of a hot air balloon has been initiated today...This is a service for high-end tourists."
The state government has been trying to increase tourism by launching several recreational activities such as paragliding, jet skiing, parasailing and trekking. Moreover, the forest department has also promoted eco-tourism in Morni Hills through initiatives such as camping, off-road travelling and visits to herbal gardens.
According to the Hindustan Times, a plan to develop the area from Kalka to Kalesar as a tourist spot has been made at an estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore. Preparations are underway to develop Dhosi Hills, a part of the Aravalli mountain range, as a pilgrimage site. Dhosi Hills is believed to be the place where some of the great sages like Chyavana Rishi resided.
With the establishment of the said area into a pilgrim site, devotees from across the nation will gather to witness the spirituality there.
The Yadavindra Gardens, also known as the Pinjore Gardens, are extremely famous and showcase the Mughal garden style.
The Chief Minister has also taken steps to develop various cultural and religious sites, known for their significance in Yamunanagar district, such as Adi Badri, Lohgarh, Kapal Mochan, and Mata Mansa Devi.
The ongoing effort is to create a new identity for the Adi Badri, the source of the sacred Saraswati River, with various projects in progress. The CM has also formed the Saraswati Heritage Board. Furthermore, efforts are underway to develop Baba Banda Singh Bahadur's capital, Lohgarh, as a tourism destination.