Since your time horizon is below 5 years, go for a balanced mutual fund. Avoid the stock market because the return are difficult to predict, and you definitely need liquid cash in under 5 years. As you near your timeframe, shift to liquid funds from year 4 onwards.
Be sure to read my other answer here: Ram Medury’s answer to What is the right decision, to live on rent for 20 years and start SIP in MF, or buy a home on loan for 20 Years?