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Ambala
Ambala is a city and a municipal council in Ambala district in the state of Haryana, India. The city is located on the border of the states of Haryana and Punjab in India. Politically; Ambala has two sub-areas: Ambala Cantt (cantonment) and Ambala City, a few(10-12) kilometers apart from each other. It has a large Indian Army and Indian Air Force presence within the confines of its cantonment area. Due to its geographical location, the Ambala District plays an important role in local tourism. Tourists to Himachal Pradesh , Punjab , Chandigarh and Jammu & Kashmir have to cross through Ambala whether by road or rail.
History
As per ancient Indian history, Aryan people had resided at Ambala at some point in time. There was a very popular place called Sarudhna near Ambala, which was the Aryan country's capital at that time. Ambala was given the status of a district in the year 1847.
The Ambala Cantonment was established in the year 1843 after the British abandoned its cantonment at Karnal, following the malaria epidemic of 1841-42. The cantonment houses the '2 Corps' one of the three Strike Corps of the Indian Army and is of immense strategic importance.
Grand Trunk Road, at Ambala Cantonment, during British RajAmbala was constituted as a district in the year 1847, and was formed by merging the jagir estates of hitherto independent chieftains whose territories had lapsed or had been confiscated by the British Indian Government. In its 160 years of existence as a district, Ambala has witnessed many changes in its boundaries. In its heyday the district boundaries extended across tehsils of Ambala, Naraingarh, Jagadhri, Pipli, Kharar, Ropar and Nalagarh. Kalka-cum-Kurari State, Pinjore, Manimajra, Kasauli & Sanawar were also merged into the district at different points of time.
Origins of the Name
There are quite a few interesting beliefs about the origin of Ambala:
Some historians believe Ambala owes its name to King Singh; the founder of Ambala who was an Amb Rajput
Some believe that itt was named after the goddess "AMBA" whose temple is located in the city
Ambala was originally called "Ambwala", Amb meaning mango in the native language (so, city of Mangoes)
Ambala at a Glance
Today's Ambala District with an area of 1568.85 km² is a pale shadow of its original immense size.
The Ambala District now comprises two subdivisions (Ambala & Naraingarh) and three tehsils (Ambala, Barara & Naraingarh). It has a population of 12 lakhs, which is about 5% of the total population of Haryana. It is bound by Mohali and Patiala districts of Punjab, Sirmaur District of Himachal and Yamunanagar & Kurukshetra districts of Haryana. Ambala district is represented by 5 Assembly Constituencies and 1 Lok Sabha Constituency.
Transport
The district is very strategically located and serves as a gateway to Haryana for States of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, and U.T. Chandigarh. 5 National Highways (NH 1, 22, 65, 72 and 73) pass through Ambala. NH1 (Delhi-Amritsar-Attari/ Pakistan Border) is the most important highway to Delhi for the areas north of Haryana. NH22 starts from Ambala and links NH1 to Shimla and beyond right up to China border at Shipkila. NH65 also starts at Ambala and links NH1 to Hissar and onwards to Jodhpur & Pali in Rajasthan.
Ambala is a divisional headquarters of the Northern Railway Zone and is an important railway junction. The Ambala Cantonment railway station was founded on the junction of the Delhi-Kalka and Ludhiana-Saharanpur lines. The historic Delhi-Ambala-Kalka railway line dates back to 1889 while the Ludhiana-Saharanpur line was built in 1870.
Geography
Ambala is located at 30.38° N 76.78° E. It has an average elevation of 264 metres (866 feet).
Situated 200 km north of Delhi, this town is extremely well connected by the rail and road network. Ambala is a major railway junction. G.T. Road (NH-1, National Highway 1) passes through Ambala Cantt and Ambala City.
Industry and Business
Ambala district has industries in metal casting, kitchen mixer grinder manufacturing, and submersible motor pump manufacturing. It is also famous for its wholesale cloth market, which sells some of the best cloth material. Ambala district would soon have a 2500 acre (10 km²) SEZ that would be developed by K. P. Singh promoted DLF Universal Limited.
Due to its strategic position Ambala has been travellers favourites stop over place to eat. The most famous places to have the best delicacies are Hotel Amar Palace, Choupal, The USA Gardens, Maharaja, RGs, Jain Soda Water and Standard Restaurant. The famous Banquet Hall for meetings, conferences and wedding is Shagun Banquets.
Market
The wholesale textile market of Ambala City is famous all over India and it is the biggest wholesale market in Asia. The new textile market is situated near Aggarsain Chowk. The Galaxy mall is recently opened in Sector 7, Ambala City. It includes Fun Cinema, Spencers, Reebok, McDonalds. The Big Bazar in Ambala Cantt is one of favourite shopping option for people of all age groups. For western wear on ecan pay a visit to outlet situated at NH1 , which is a great place to hang on and relax in the evenings.
Ambika Devi Mandir Places of interest
There are many shrines in and around Ambala City, Kaali Maata Mandir , popularly known as "kaali baadi "at Labbu wala talab on ghel road, Shiv Mandir near old civil , including Bhawani Amba Temple (named after the goddess Bhawani)and most important shrine AMBIKA DEVI MANDIR near old civil .The city name AMBALA is on this temple. Radha Kishan mandir is an old temple situated at Radha Kishan Bazar in Ambala City. Ambala is home to many Gurdwaras (Sikh temples), some of which have historical importance. The Badshahi Bag Gurudwara, Sis Ganj Gurudwara, Manji Sahib Gurudwara, Labhuwala Talaah, Sat Sangat Sahib Gurdwara, Panjokhda Sahib Gurudwara in Panjhokhda village (7 km. far from ambala city) are the historical gurudwaras here. In Ambala Cantt, one can visit Patel Park, in Army area. Also there is Subhash Chandra Bose Park near Subhash Colony. There are not many places, though, to visit in Ambala. Patel Park with its natural beauty give a feel like of being in the forest and drive in army area with huge wide and clean roads ..
These are associated with Guru Gobind Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Hargobind respectively.
ICHHA POORAK DHAM is a Gurudwara dedicated to Shaheed BABA DEEP SINGH JI is situated at village Devinagar,2 kilometers away from Ambala
There are also the popular Muslim shrines of Lakhi Shah and Taqwal Shah, Saint Paul's Church and a British, Christian cemetery. Patel Park in Ambala Cantt and City Park in Ambala City have beautiful gardens.
Chandigarh is a 45 km (45 minutes drive) from Ambala.
Kalka is situated on the national highway (number 22) Ambala-Shimla.
Panchkula is a newly built city on the Ambala-Kalka national highway and Ambala-Kalka railway line near Chandigarh.
Pinjore comes under the Panchkula district and is known for its exquisite gardens.
Kurukshetra (the battle of Mahabharata was fought here) is also just 45 minutes drive from Ambala Cantt.
Ambala is also known as sikh jatt place & in the villages they have taste of punjab virsa as well as haryana's culture
KARNAL is situated on the national highway (NH-1) which is 80KM from Ambala.
103, Shriram Bhawan, Ranjeet Nagar Commercial Complex
New Delhi 110 008.
Tel: 42030300, 25702737, Fax: 91-11-25702636
E-Mail: midtown@airtelmail.in, midtown@del2.vsnl.net.in
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