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The Scenic Morni Hills
Sunday, 07.13.2008, 11:08pm (GMT-7)

The village of Morni known as Bhoj Jabial rests on the mountain side at a height of 3600 feet above the sea level. Morni Hills are an outgrowth of Shivalik range, which flow in two parallel ranges. Excursions near by Chandigarh takes you to some of the popular hills in India.

According to the traditions the name 'Morni' was given to a Queen who ruled the area. The Morni Hills are located in the lower parts of the 'Shivalik' range. Morni is situated in the Panchkula District of Haryana. This fabulous place, combines recreation, fun and adventure. Morni is the place of ideal beauty, where you will enjoy the peaceful natural environment.

 Rock Climber and trekkers can come over here to embark on adventure activities like trekking, rock climbing, hiking and others. You will be fascinated to see that myth, history and mystery also plays an important role in Morni Hills.

Tourists are facilitated with the accommodations provided by the Haryana Government. The Haryana Tourism adds the flavor of joy in comforting the visitors in the Mountain Quail Tourist complex. Guests have the exclusive use of comfort according to their choices.

To facilitate yourself you can find more places of accommodations like Lal Munia, which is a forest tourist hut and a PWD rest house. Visitors are fascinated with the scenic beauty of the hillside.

The places have a charming beauty of plant life and animal life. Trees like Sal, Neem, Mango, Ritha, Pipal, Jamun, Shisham, Amaltas and Jacaranda are beautifully distributed on the slopes of the Hill giving a panoramic view of the place.

Morni is regarded as the paradise for the chain of flora and fauna. The flowering trees add to the color of the scenic beauty, which all together gives a fresh breath taking mind. Popular birds like Wallcreeper, Crested Kingfisher, Bar-tailed Treecreeper and animals like Jackals, Langurs, Hare also adds the beauty.

Among the spurs of hills, lie two lakes, the larger is about 550 meters long and 460 meters broad and the other about 365 meters either way. A hill divides the two lakes but there is some Hidden channel, as the level of two lakes remains the same.

The people look upon the lakes as sacred. There is an old fort, which is now in ruins. The hills are covered by pine trees. The climate is salubrious and the area is suitable for trekking. There is a roller skating rink and a swimming pool.

It is an ideal place for tourists who want to avoid crowds and for those who love nature. There are a number of resorts that add to accommodation options and variability in and around Morni.

It is a place that is frequented by nature starved people (whose tribe is ever growing in cities) on the weekends or holidays and it might be difficult to grab a decent meal at times in the high season.

A decently stocked liquor vend and an attached snack shop that serves turmeric laden omelettes and toasted bread ,does for the meals to famished tourists.

The best season to visit is September to March, because it might get hot or humid during the rest of the months and venturing might be overly-humid.

The road that descends from the zenith of the hill station brings you to a seasonal waterfall that drops into a muddy lake but is aloof from crowds, so gives relaxation space and time .Further up the road takes you into Himachal Pradesh.

On the high point where the road forks for the steep descent for the twin lakes, at clear nights, especially after showers one can see the lights of Chandigarh.

The geometrically placed streetlights, neon or sodium vapor, & occasionally bright signboards, howsoever blurred tend to mesmerize you. There are three roads that connect Morni to Chandigarh or other nearby towns (courtesy Haryana government), so one wont get stuck up in case of a blockade on any road, likely landslides in the rains.

The town has grown so has time required to absorb the milieu and soak the nature and experience that it provides. If you want to enjoy a vacation with a combined experience of mental bliss and adventure then you should surely visit the Morni Hills at Chandigarh.