About District
Karnal is an agricultural-industrial district in the north-central part of Haryana. It is said to be founded by Raja Karna, who was one of the central figures in the epic Mahabharata. The name Karnal comes from Karnalaya, where alaya means abode. Mahabharata’s conception is rooted in the names of most of Haryana’s districts. This not only means that the Mahabharata’s consciousness is rooted in the very social fabric of the people here, but also that the region is a fascinating location to study the epic. Karnal is no exception indeed. Present day Karnal however, offers an imagery of lush fields, Basmati, industrial landscape, educated service class, and a quiet and peaceful city. It has become synonymous with the National Highway 44 (NH-44), which is popularly known as GT Karnal Road (Grand Trunk Karnal Road). Lying midway between Delhi and Chandigarh, modern day Karnal is imbued with the culture of both the cities. Even though the city has witnessed changing political centers, much of its soul has remained unchanged. It is bordered by Kurukshetra (northwest), Jind and Kaithal (west) and Panipat (south). On the east, it is separated from Uttar Pradesh through the Yamuna, which also forms a natural border between the two states. Karnal has become a mature district after independence.
