Punjab

Geography

Punjab is situated in the North-western part of India. The Punjab Climate is determined by the extreme hot and extreme cold conditions. The region lying near the foot hills of Himalayas receive heavy rainfall whereas the region lying at a distant from the hills, the rainfall is scanty and the temperature is high. The agriculture of the state highly depends on the rains. The monsoon is brought by the monsoonal winds blowing over the Bay of Bengal. The winter season in Punjab is mostly experienced in the month of January, when the temperature falls below to 5 degree in the night and it is around 12 degree in the morning. The post monsoonal transitional season remains quite fair and dry. In the post winter transitional season, hail storms and brief showers occur which sometimes causes damage to the crops. During the end of the March, the wind becomes dry. The Punjab Climate has been a great factor in contributing to the economy of the state.

Tourism

Punjab is dotted with places of historical and cultural interest. Ropar, one of the centers of Indus Valley Civiliztion, Amritsar the holy city of Sikhs, the ancient fort of Bhatinda, the architectural monuments of Kapurthala, the City of Gardens Patiala and the capital Chandigarh designed by the Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier are among the leading tourist attractions of the state. Fairs and festivals are major tourist attractions in Punjab. The prosperous state is always in a festive mood. At the slightest excuse the cheery Punjabi folks jump into celebrations. Packed with fun and excitement these turn out to be a riot of colours too. Some important festivals in Punjab are: Baisakhi, Lohri, Diwali etc.

Golden Temple also known as Sri Harmander Sahib or Sri Darbar Sahib is located in the holy city of the Sikhs, Amritsar. Its foundation was laid in 1588 by the fifth Sikh Guru Arjan Dev ji on a small island in the waters of Amrit Sarovar and was consecrated on August 16, 1604. The temple was virtually destroyed in 1761 by Ahamad Shah Abdali, an Afghan invader. It was restored between 1803 and 1830 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a Great Sikh ruler. The dome is carved out of pure gold. The temple was rebuilt by Maharaja Ranjit Singh who used 400 kg of gold leaf to build the upper half of the building. Sri Harmandir Sahib is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of the Sarovar (water tank). Darshani Deori, the northern gateway with two splendidly carved silver doors is the main entrance. Golden Temple was founded by the fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ramdas and completed by his successor Guru Arjan Dev. The Central Sikh Museum has paintings of Sikh Gurus, Saints, Sikh warriors and other prominent Sikh leaders who have contributed to the enhancement of Sikh Religion. Akal Takhat is located at right side, preserves a number of weapons used by Guru Hargobind, Guru Gobind Singh and other Sikh heroes. To the south a nine-storeyed tower Baba Atal is located. The ‘Guru Ka Langar’ offers cooked food 24 hours to all visitors. Guru Ram Das niwas and Guru Nank niwas offers accomodation facilities to the pilgrims. While visiting the Golden Temple you need to cover your head as mark of respect to Guru Granth Sahib.

Bhakra Nangal Dam: Bhakra Dam is located in northern India near the border between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh It is a concrete gravity dam across the Sutlej River to provide hydro-electricity. The dam was part of the larger multipurpose Bhakra Nangal Project whose aims were to prevent floods in the Sutlej-Beas river valley, to provide irrigation to adjoining states. The dam construction began in 1948 and was completed in 1963. It is one of the highest gravity dams in the world having height of 741 ft. The dam provides irrigation to 10 million acres of fields in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. The 166 km Gobindsagar Reservoir, named after Guru Gobind Singh, is created by this dam.

Sheesh Mahal is located behind the Moti Bagh Palace. Maharaja Narinder Singh built this place (1845-1862). The paintings in two of its well maintained, mirror-worked chambers are of Kangra and Rajasthani qalam. The paintings depict the poetic visions of Keshav, Surdas and Bihari. The Sheesh Mahal also encompasses a museum, an art gallery and also the North Zone Cultural Centre set up by a society to preserve art. A World’s largest collection of medals, decoration and orders of various countries are exhibited here. Terrace, gardens, fountains and an artificial lake enhance its beauty.

Anandpur Sahib is a small town in Ropar district. It is 45 km from Ropar, 97 km from Chandigarh, 9 km from Kiratpur Sahib and 22 km from Nangal. Annadpur Sahib is a holy city of Sikhs. Earlier this place was known as Chakk Nanaki after the First Guru's mother name, Nanaki. The place later came to be known as Anandpur Sahib. Two Guru Sahib and families of four Guru Sahib spent several years in this town. Hundreds of sikhs embraced martyrdom in this town. Hence, the whole town is dedicated to the spiritual memorial of Guru Sahib and martyrs. The Takht Keshgarh Sahib is a square hall with a balcony in front overlooking a spacious courtyard on a lower level. In the middle of the inner domed room are placed some weapons preserved as sacred relics. Although the town is small but on the occassion of Hola Mohalla every year in the month of March it booms into boisterous activities and recaptures its old glory and splendor.

Sanghol The archaeological site lies north of Fatehgarh Sahib on the Chandigarh-Ludhiana road, about 40 kms. from Chandigarh. Legends suggest that it flourished 3000 years ago and was known as Sangal-Dwip. It became an important settlement between 1st century A.D., under the patronage of Kushans and the Guptas. Archaeological excavations have revealed well–built houses, jewellery, ornamented clothings and several other evidences indicating that it was a very prosperous settlement and was a contemporary of late Harappan civilization (1700 B.C.–1300 B.C.). Hiuen Tsang, the famous Chinese pilgrim and traveler refers in his writings, to the many monasteries of ‘She-to Lulu’, which historians contend to be Sangal-Dwip. The Sanghol Museum has a rich collection of archaeological finds recovered from various sites of the State. A Stupa and Buddhist Monastery here dates back to 1st-2nd century.

Husainiwala- The memorial commemorates the three freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev & Rajguru, who were executed by the British at Lahore. Their bodies were cremated on the banks of river Sutlej, 100 kms. from Firozpur. Here another memorial which is known as Sargarhi Memorial is built in the honour of 21 brave soldiers of the 36th sikh (later 4th Sikh) Regiment, who died fighting to the last man, against a several times greater force of the local Chiefs, during the battle at Saman Ridge of the Hindukush and Sulaiman Ranges in 1897. The history of this battle has been included among the 8 narratives of collective bravery, published by UNESCO. It is also taught in the French School. The re-union of ex-servicemen is held at the historic Sargarhi Gurudwara. Other places of interest are Guru Harsahai with two temples dedicated to Mata Jalol and Mata Hansewali.

Sultanpur Lodhi It is situated on the left bank of a rivulet, called Kali Bein about 6 miles above the confluence of Beas and Sutlej. It was founded by Sultan Khan Lodhi a General (Faujdar) of Mahmud of Gazni, in the 11th Century A.D. It was named after its founder as Sultanpur and has also been mentioned in A-Ene-Akbari. During the time of Sikandar Lodhi, the famous Sultan of Delhi, Sultanpur was entrusted to Nawab Daulat Khan of Lahore. He gave a new landscape to the environment of this town and turned it into a Nakhilstan (Green Patch) and Playhunt (Shikargah) - The town itself was rebuilt by him. As it lay on the Grand Trunk Road, running from Delhi to Lahore, it flourished as a great business centre. Besides it was a great centre of Muslim way of Education as well. Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb, sons of the Emperor Shah Jahan, are said to have received their higher education at the University of Sultanpur. It maintained its position as a centre of Muslim culture during the Mughal Regime. The first Guru of Sikhs Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent more than 14 years in Sultanpur Lodhi and is among the holy cities of sikhs.

Pushpa Gujral Science City : The Science City has been set up in 72 acres of land in the of heart of Punjab, on Jalandhar-Kapurthala Road. The foundation stone of the Science City was laid down by former Prime Minister Sh. I.K. Gujral on Oct. 17, 1997. It is based on the scientific aptitude and temperament, to fire the imagination and creativity, foster the spirit of enquiry and exploration among the masses, especially in the young minds. The subject areas covered include physical, applied, natural and social sciences, engineering, technology, agriculture, health sciences, energy, industries, human evolution and civilization, the environment, ecosystems, Jurassic parks as well as frontier areas like space, nuclear science, information technology, robotics and Bio-technology.

Khatkar Kalan: Khatkar Kalan is a town in Nawanshahr district of Punjab. This is the ancestral town of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh. It is a historical village which has got the honour of being the village of the famous patriots and freedom fighters like Sardar Kishan Singh, Sardar Ajit Singh, Sardar Swaran Singh, Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh. Shaheed Bhagat Singh was imbued since childhood with the family's spirit of patriotism. He was one of the most prominent faces of Indian freedom struggle and gave a new direction to revolutionary movement in India.

Talwandi Sabo : Talwandi Sabo also known as Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, is the home of the fourth temporal seat of the Sikh religion. This is located in the district of Bathinda, Punjab, India. Battling with his contemporary tyrant rulers, Guru Gobind Singh ji left Sri Anandpur Sahib in 1704 and traveling through the places of Chamkaur Sahib, Maachhiwara, Deenagarh, Mukatsar Sahib, Lakhhi Jangal, Pakka Pathrala, reached here in 1705. The revered Guru stayed here for more than fifteen months and this place became popular as Damdama Sahib. Here, Guru Ji got written the sacred bir of Aad Sri Guru Granth Sahib by the great martyr Bhai Mani Singh ji and blessed this land as Guru Ki Kashi. Shaheed Baba Deep Singh ji was the first Jathedar (head) of this temporal seat. He prepared the copies of Aad Sri Sahib and sent to the other four temporal seats of Sikh religion. The major occasion of Vaisakhi is being celebrated at this place with great enthusiasm and devotion.

How to reach Punjab

By Air: Chandigarh and Amritsar both have airports are connected to other cities in India by regular flights. Indian airlines do have regular flights from Chandigarh to Delhi, Lucknow, Leh, and Amritsar. Jet air also has regular flights to Chandigarh.

By Rail: Punjab is extensively linked to the other parts of the country by rail. Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Pathankot and Jalandhar are the major railway hubs in the state from where one can take trains for most parts of the country.

By Road: The entire state is connected through an extensive network of medalled roads. State Highways connect major cities to the state capital. NH 1 or the Grand Trunk Road connects the state with most of the north as well as east India.