Karnal About this sound pronunciation is an important city and the headquarters of Karnal District in the Indian state of Haryana. Karnal is said to have been founded by the Kauravas in the Mahabharata era for the king Karna, a mythological hero & a key figure in the epic tale. It is midway between delhi and Chandigarh, being 123 km (76 mi) north of Delhi and 126 km (78 mi) south of Chandigarh, on the National Highway NH-1, which is famous as the Grand Trunk Road. Delhi and Chandigarh can be reached from Karnal within 2 hours using the very high frequency bus service provided by the Haryana Roadways. Karnal is famous for lush green pastures, Liberty Shoes, the production of high-quality basmati rice and for its many agricultural and dairy research institutions. Liberty shoes was started from Karnal and has its largest manufacturing facility in the city.

Places of interest

The Karan Tal, Kalandar Shah’s tomb, Cantonment Church Tower, the Kos Minar, a small fort in Katju Nagar called Traori sarai, Babur’s masjid and the tombs of Mukrab Ali Khan and Mubarak Khan. Two ancient inscribed red pillars have been discovered in Amin. The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) is the largest such institute in whole of Asia.

Cantonment Church Tower: This is a big old tower and can be seen from a distance of several kilometers as it is almost 35 meters in height. The tower is surrounded by a large ornamental cross. The church itself named after St. James, was dismantled with the shifting of the Cantonment to Ambala in 1841 A.D.

Kalander Shah's Tomb: Kalander Shah's tomb is situated just outside the town. The grave is made of marble and decorated with sculpture. The tomb was built by Ghias-ud-din, Emperor of Delhi, to the memory of Bo-Ali-Qualander Shah, a famous Muslim Savant and Sage, who influenced the thinking of his age and was very widely revered by all communities. Within the enclosure are mosque and a reservoir with fountains built by Emperor Alamgir and outside a Kettle Drum balcony.

Miran Sahib's Tomb: This tomb stands to the memory of a saint, Sayad Mohd. alias Miran Sahib who died in 899 A.D. He was responsible for rescuing a Brahmin girl from the clutches of a Raja in a pitched battle. The tomb is situated towards the extreme south of the town and alongside it stand a small mosque and a cemetery of many members of the Mandal family.

The Karna Tal: The Karna Tal or Tank, named after Raja Karna, son of Surya, ace archer, unrivalled warrior, terror of the Pandvas, an ardent supporter of the king Duryodhana in the Mahabharat war, donor par excellence and the founder of the city of Karnal, is now being renovated and converted into a tourist spot by Karnal municipality. It is said that Raja Karna, who was very philanthropic used to give gold in alms to the needy at the spot.

Pukka Pul: The Sayad's shrine built at Moghul Bridge about 7 kilometers from Karnal city is the scene of a big mela every Thursday. Lamps are lit. Superstitious people from far and near come to make offering at the shrine and ask for boons varying from diseases cure to elimination of ghosts from their bodies and prayers for material prosperity.