PUNJAB

PUNJAB

Famous as the land of 5 rivers, the State of Punjab is full of flavor, festivals, frolic, color, brave soldiers and hard working farmers. Punjab is one of the richest states in the nation which is rich in almost every respect. From the exquisite cuisine, spicy platters of fragrant Sarson ka Saag and Makki di Roti, good-natured and high-spirited people, music loving and devoted denizens, the land of Punjab is a must visit place which will have a long-lasting impression on your lives and tongues.

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1. Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple, Amritsar

The holiest Sikh Gurudwara in Punjab, there’s nothing about this place that won’t calm your senses, and put you at peace.

2. Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar

The historically significant Jallianwala bagh is a public garden located in Amritsar, Punjab. The memorial has been built to honour the innocent people killed here during the infamous Jallianwala bagh massacre that happened during the British rule.

3. The Rock Garden, Chandigarh

One of the most popular attraction in Chandigarh, the Rock garden is the epitome of creativity.  Started by government official Nek Chand as a way to kill time back in 1957. And today, this sculpture garden is spread over 40 acres of land. The major attraction of this garden is the fact that everything here is made of waste material of all kinds-bangles, wires, industry waste material, broken crockery and kitchenware, etc.

4. The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, Chandigarh

Named after India’s former president Zakir Hussain, the rose garden is a botanical garden spread over 30 acres of land, with 50,000 rose bushes of 1600 different species. Apart from other events that are hosted, the rose garden hosts the annual rose festival called Festival of Gardens, a major cultural event in Chandigarh, during February or March. Its attractions include food, drinks, and different contests held for enthusiasts of all kinds. 

5. The Doraha Fort, or the RDB fort

The Dohara fort is a famous fort where several scenes of the popular film, Rang De Basanti, were shot. Because the film was a raging success, the fort got another name, the RDB fort. This picturesque fort is about 2 hours away from Chandigarh, near Ludhiana.

 6. Wagah Border ceremony

Every evening, hundreds of people flock to the Wagah border, the international border that separates India and Pakistan, to witness the majestic changing of guards accompanied by the hoisting and retreat of the respective national flags. The border security forces of both nations undergo the elaborate process jointly through an interesting ceremony.

 7. Qila Mubarak

Located in Patiala, the Qila Mubarak is a popular archaeological spot for history buffs and enthusiasts.

8. Harike wetland and bird sanctuary

The Harike wetland is the largest wetland in northern India in the Tarn Taran Sahib district of Punjab. The wetland is home to several species of flora and fauna, and is a major biodiversity reserve. It is the best place to visit if you’re a nature lover or a wildlife photographer.

9. The Kila Raipur Sports Festival, Ludhiana

One of the highlights of Punjab, the Kila Raipur Sports festival takes place annually in a small village, Kila Raipur, about 20 km away from Ludhiana. Every year,this event happens between ending January and the beginning of February. A large number of people gather to witness an array of sporting events, and people participating in them are enthusiastic beyond compare.

10. Garden of silence

The beautifully landscaped Garden of Silence, located adjacent to the beautiful Sukhna Lake, is the perfect spot for meditation and for general peace and quiet.

11. Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh

The Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh is another major tourist attraction. On a regular day, one can go boating, or just enjoy the beautiful scene of the sun setting over the city.

12. Virasat-e-Khalsa

Located in Anandpur Sahib, Virasat-e-Khalsa is a museum that gives insight into all the events that took place more than 500 years ago; events that gave birth to Sikhism. The museum aims to illuminate the vision of the Gurus, their message of peace and brotherhood and the culture and heritage of Punjab. This museum took about 13 years to make, and was opened to the public in November 2011.Also, don’t forget to sway with the lovely people, the wonderful food, and the energy that the air this state breathes. When in Punjab, do as Punjabis do
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Amritsar

 The place is drenched in the blood of all the freedom fighters, the atmosphere is divine with the spiritual devotion, and the overall feel and impression of this vibrant city are magnificent. One can visit the Jallianwala Bagh and still hear the echoes of those people who died in merciless shooting led by General Dwyer; the place that gave birth to Udham Singh who took the revenge for all those innocents by killing that General in London. The feeling of pride and patriotism all come to your mind the moment you start roaming in the Jallianwala Bagh and read various boards in the place.

Other places of interest in Amritsar are

• Golden Temple

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama

• Taran Taran Sahib

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum

• Harike Wetland and Bird Sanctuary

• Rambagh Garden

• Wagah Border

• Akal Takht

• Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh

and few other places like the Durgiana Temple, Kaiser Bagh Park, Bathinda Fort and Khalsa College.

Wagah Border is another such tourist hub which is famous across the whole world and tourists from all over the world come here. The border is an international border between the countries of India and Pakistan. Visited by thousands of tourists every day, the place is famous for the parade which is done in the evening by the soldiers on both the sides of the border. This is a must visit place after the famous Golden Temple in Amritsar.

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Chandigarh

 Joint capital of Haryana and Punjab, the city is aptly called as the City Beautiful. It is one of the most organised and well-planned cities in the North India, which is full of various tourist places. While touring Chandigarh, you can not only enjoy the city itself but also tour the other nearby places such as Zirakpur and Mohali. Well connected via road, air and railways, the place is one of the most visited places in Punjab.

The must visit places in and around Chandigarh are

• Sukhna Lake
• Chhatbir Zoo
• Shanti Kunj
• Rock Garden
• Leisure Valley
• Le Corbusier Centre
• Morni Hills
• Sarkaria Cactus Garden
• Timber Trail
• Rose Garden

and many more places to visit like the Yadvinder Garden, Garden of Fragrance, Government Museum and Art Gallery, Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park, Butterfly Park, International Dolls Museum, Chandigarh Botanical Garden and Nature Park and Terraced Garden.
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Jalandhar

 Jalandhar is a famous town in Punjab which is vibrating with life, full of mesmerising colours and tastes and is one of the major shopping hubs in the state. Famous for the extraordinary cuisine, marketplaces, fabrics, culture, history and a lot more things, the place offers you the true elements of Punjabi life.

While visiting the place, you can enjoy places like

• Imam Nasir Masjid
• Wonderland Theme Park
• Devi Talab Mandir
• Shiv Mandir
• Tulsi Mandir
• Pushpa Gujral Science City
• Company Bagh
• Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Museum
• St. Mary's Cathedral Church

and a few more places like Prithvi's Planet, Niku Park, Rangla Punjab Haveli, and Sheetla Mandir.

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Patiala

Famous for the Patiala suits, Patiala Pegs, Patiala Turbans and Paranda, and Patiala Jutti, the region is another one of the must visit places in the State of Punjab. The delicacies and spicy cuisine will be an exquisite experience for your palette. Sangrur and Sirhind are the other places of tourist interest in the region which are historically famous and can be visited while touring the region.

You can visit few places like the

• Qila Mubarak Complex

• Banur

• Baradari Garden

• Sheesh Mahal

• Lachman Jhoola Samana

• Darbar Hall

• Bir Moti Bagh Sanctuary

• Moti Bagh Palace

• Kali Temple
  
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Ludhiana

 Ludhiana is famous for the woollen apparel industries and fabrics. The local marketplaces are alive with shoppers, restaurants, traders dealing in apparels and other products and the cultural legacy is rich and varied. The intermingling of the various cultures has developed a rich and broadminded lifestyle in the region. Typical Punjabi culture is visible in almost each and every aspect of the region. The town is situated on the banks of the river Sutlej.

The places that would be of great interest are

• Lodhi Fort
• Tiger Zoo
• Gurudwara Charan Kamal
• Punjab Agricultural University Museum
• Phillaur Fort
• Nehru Rose Garden
• Rural Heritage Museum
• Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum
• Deer Park

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Bhatinda

 One of the ancient cities of Punjab and houses some of the oldest monuments in the state. Some of the monuments date back to 3000BC even. The land witnessed the famous battle between the Mughals and Guru Gobind Singh. Having valour and bravery in its veins, the town is a must visit place in Punjab.

The best travel destinations that one must visit are

• Bhatinda Fort
• Bhatinda Lake
• Bhatinda Zoological Park
• Rose Garden
• Bir Talab Zoo
• Lakhi Jungle
• Dhobi Bazaar

and few more like the Qila Mubarak, Takht Shri Damdama Sahib, and Chetak Park.
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Pathankot

Located in Punjab and sharing vicinity with the lovely state of Himachal Pradesh, the place is a lovely town with an awesome weather and scenery. You can enjoy both the Himachali and Punjabi culture in the region.

Places you can visit are the

Kali Mata ka Mandir

Ranjit Sagar Dam

Laxmi Narayan Mandir

Mukteshwar Temple

Kathgarh Temple

Hydraulic Research Station

and other places like the Shani Dev Mandir, Ashapurni Mandir, Shahpurkandi Fort, and Nagni Temple while touring in and around Pathankot.

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