Punjab

Home to a lively, hospitable and dynamic people, Punjab is one of the smaller yet prosperous states of India. Punjab is one charismatic state of India. It is the land of lush green fields soaked in sunshine, the land of vibrant cultures narrating legendary tales of the past, the land of lip smacking food cooked in rich Indian spices and the land of jovial people wearing rainbow turbans.

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Famed as the “Land of rivers”, Punjab has gracefully embraced civilization. It’s religious and ethnic diversity is matchless. Its vibrant culture and lovable people are the reasons why tourists are attracted towards this state.

People & Culture
The locals of Punjab, known as Punjabis, are known for their jovial nature. Often referred as Sikhs and Jat, the major livelihood of the Punjabis is dependent on agriculture. The locals of Punjab are deeply rooted to their cultures and traditions which are reflected in their folk songs and dance forms.

The popular dance forms of Punjab are Bhangra and Gidda, performed during all the local festivals. All the festivals are commonly followed by singing and dancing where the locals get dressed up in vibrant attires.

The traditional attire of men is Kurta Pyjama with colourful turbans. Women wear salwar kameez with beautiful dupattas.

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Natural Beauty
Famed for its abundance natural beauty, Punjab is adorned with beautiful farms, which holds the real charm of this state. Travellers visit here throughout the year to explore its natural beauty. Visitors enjoy touring Chandigarh, the beautiful city with incredible gardens. Rock Garden and Zakir Hussain Rose Garden remain popular among holidaymakers for their stunning vistas and serene setting. Also, the Sukhna Lake is a serene destination where you can spend some moments relishing the beautiful sights of sunset turning the city of Chandigarh crimson.

Historical Destinations
The historical attractions of Punjab boast of the courageous and legendary history of the state. Jallianwala Bagh holds a notable place in the history of Punjab. Over 1100 peaceful protesters were killed by British troops in Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919. After the independence of India, the park was turned into a memorial ground, in remembrance of the people who lost their lives. Qila Mubarak is another popular historical ground known for its magnificent construction. Old Motibagh Palace of Patiala also gains attention of the travellers due to its marvellous architecture presenting a mixture of Mughal style and Rajput style. Visiting Punjab and not eyeing the Wagah Border ceremony is something one will regret. Every evening, hundreds of locals and travellers visit the international border separating India and Pakistan to witness the royal changing of guards along with hoisting of the national flags.

Wildlife
Although it is one of the smallest states of India, Punjab has no dearth of wildlife attractions. Hari Ke Pattan is home to over 350 migratory birds and is one of the most popular lakes of India. Satluj Water Body Wetland and Kanjli Wetland are the perfect destinations to spot local and migrating birds.
Takhni-Rehmapur Wildlife Sanctuary is also popular among the wildlife lovers. Visitors can cherish the encriched diversity of flora and fauna. Another priced possession of Punjab is Bir Motibagh that houses chital, hog deer, wild boar, jackal, peafowl, myna, partridge, and quail. Abohar Black Buck Sanctuary is another famous sanctuary that houses over 4000 black bucks. The black bucks can be spotted wandering around through the villages.

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Religious Destinations
Soaked in the powers of divinity, every corner of Punjab will narrate the tale of spirituality in the air. Among the must visit religious places of Punjab is the Golden Temple in Amritsar. People of all castes, creed and religious visit this beautiful place and have faith in it. The Golden Temple reflects the distinct identity and grandeur of the Sikh community. According to popular beliefs, the water of this Gurudwara washes away all the sins. Anandpur Sahib is also another famous village in Punjab. The village is renowned as the “Holy City of Bliss”, and is home to countless gurudwaras including, Gurudwara Sisganj Sahib, Gurudwara Guru-De-Mahal, Gurudwara Manji Sahib and Gurudwara Bhora Sahib to name a few.

Gurudwara Baba Bakala also remains highly popular among locals due to its divine powers. This shrine is associated with an important event in Sikh history and thus, brings thousands of travellers from near and far.

Shopping
Shopping in Punjab is a delightful experience. Renowned for its handloom and handicrafts, the local markets here are adorned with the display of jutties, durries, inlaid furniture, woolen shawls, parandis and phulkari work. The Rainak Bazaar in Jalandhar, Shastri Market and Palika Bazaar in Chandigarh are among the famous markets. Sector 7 Market of Panchkula is visited by travellers and locals alike looking for some budget deals.

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Food
Punjabis and food go hand in hand. They are deeply devoted to their food. There is no celebration without food in Punjab. The state offers a variety of vegetarian as well as non vegetarian cuisines. The traditional Sarson da Saag (made of spinach and ghee) and Makki di Roti, with Lassi (beaten curd and milk) is the best combination served in the local restaurants. Non-vegetarians can savour the taste of Butter Chicken, as Punjabis are known for cooking the best recipes of chicken. Amritsari Fish is also a delectable dish of Punjab cooked with mouth-watering local spices. Aaloo Prantha is another dish one can try for a gratifying breakfast. Chole Bhature is available in abundance and can be relished at any time during the day.

Fairs & Festivals
The locals of Punjab celebrate each festival with great gusto. Lohri, marking the end of winter, remains a popular festival in Punjab. Hola Mohalla, celebrated in Anandpur Sahib, plays a great role in the life of Punjabis. This three day festival includes singing of the divine hymns, performances of martial valour in archery, sword fencing, horse-riding, tent-pegging and a lot more.

Baisakhi, the first day of the New Year in the traditional Vikrami calendar, brings together the locals of Punjab. This colourful festival reflects the local cultures of the state where men and women dress in beautiful attires and welcome the New Year with traditional folk dance and music.

The locals also celebrate Guru Purab with great fervour to pay respect to their religious beliefs. The important Guru Purabs celebrated in Punjab include the birthdays of Guru Nanak and Guru Govind Singh and the martyrdom days of Guru Arjun Dev and Guru Teg Bahadur.

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Jor Mela celebrated in Fatehgarh and Sahiband Hariballabh Sangeet Mela are among the must attend festivals. Both these fairs see extensive festivities where locals flock in huge number to cherish their dance, music, food and art forms.

Best time to visit
The best time to visit Punjab is between October and March when the climatic conditions remain favourable for sightseeing. Punjab has major three seasons, including summers (April till June), monsoons (July to September) and winters (October till March). While summer months are hot and humid in the state, monsoon season brings much needed rescue from the heat.

How to Reach
By Air - Amritsar, Chandigarh and Ludhiana are three main airports in Punjab. Amritsar is the only international airport of the state.
By Train - Some of the major railheads of Punjab are located at Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Jalandhar and Pathankot. These stations connect the state with major parts of India.
By Road - Roads connect the state with all the parts of the country making road travel a pleasant option.