Punjab
is a state of India, located in the northwest part of the country.
Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab, which is also the capital of
neighbouring state Haryana. Other major cities of the state include
Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala. The literal meaning of Punjab is
the 'Land of the Five Rivers', the five rivers after which Punjab is named
are Jhelum, Ravi, Chenab, Beas and Sutlej. As the state is criss-crossed by
many rivers most of the land of Punjab is fertile. Punjab is chief wheat
producing region of the country, other important crops are rice, cotton,
sugarcane, millet, maize and barley etc. Punjab the home of the Sikhs
warriors, has steeped in rich history and culture of India.
The hearty people of the state are famous keeping their cultural heritage.
Music and dance is flowing in their blood, which is reflected in the world
famous Bhangra.
Major Attractions
» Chandigarh - The capital city of Punjab is known
for its modern architecture and planning all over the world. Chandigarh is
famous for its tourist attractions, the most famous is Rock Garden. Other
attraction of the city are the Capitol Complex, Secretariat, Assembly, High
Court, The Open Hand Monument , Garden City, Tower of Shadows, Martyr's
Memorial, Sukhna Lake, Leisure Valley, Rose Garden, Government Museum and
Art Gallery, Museum of Evolution of Life and International Dolls Museum.
»
Rock Garden - Situated in Chandigarh, the Rock Garden was built by Nek
Chand. The unique garden Sprawling over the area of 64 acres, the Garden was
constructed by the disposal of city waste and domestic garbage. The garden
has no flowers or plants, but it has created with rocks and discarded
objects like bottle tops, fluorescent lights, mud guard, tin cans, broken
glass etc. The artist built, dolls and figures of birds, men and women and
fixed them along the paths.
» Amritsar - Amritsar is the second largest city of
Punjab. Amritsar is famous for the Golden Temple and Jallian Walan Bagh.
Other important attractions in the city are the Durgiana Temple, Ram Bagh,
Ram Thirth and Taren Taran.
» Golden Temple - The Golden temple or Hari Mandir
is situated in Amritsar. The temple is considered to be the holiest of all
the pilgrimage centres of Sikhism. Guru Arjan Sahib the fifth guru,
constructed the temple with the help of other eminent Sikh personalities.
Since its construction the Golden temple stands as a symbol of the
magnificence and strength of the Sikhs all over the world. The temple is
throng by a large number of pilgrims throughout the year, who also take bath
in holy tank of the temple.
» Jallian Wala Bagh - Located in Amritsar, the small
park is known for its most notorious massacre under British rule in 1919.
The massacre led by British General Dyer resulted in the death of 379 people
and injure more than 1200. Today this site has changed to a park and a
pleasant garden. At the entrance of the Bagh there is a memorial plaque
which recalls the history.
» Ludhiana - The city also called as the Manchester
of India is famous for its hosiery and woolen goods. The hosiery and woolen
products are exported all over the world. The major tourist attractions in
Ludhiana include Gurudwara Shrimanji Sahib Alamgir, Pir-I-Dastgir shrine,
Phillaur Fort, Bilwanwali Masjid, Gurdwara Charan Kamal and Gurudwara
Nanakasar Jagraon.
» Patiala - Patiala is the place which provide the
much-needed tranquility far from chaos of the cities. Patiala is popular for
its healthy food, loving people, wonderful parandaas, exciting Patiala peg
and jootis.
» Jalandhar - Jalandhar earlier knowns as Jullundhar
is situated at a distance of 80 Kms from Amritsar. The city ruled by the
Hindus and the Mughals is believed to be the oldest city in Punjab. Today
Jalandhar is a major industrial centre of India, and leading producers of
the world class sports goods of the country. Its satellite towns Phagwara is
popular for cloth manufacturing and drapary shops while Kartarpur is one of
the biggest exporters of quality furniture.
Reaching
» Air - Chandigarh and Amritsar airports are
connected to major cities of the country India by regular flights. Indian
airlines operates flights from Chandigarh to Delhi, Lucknow, Leh, and
Amritsar. Jet air also operates regular flights to Chandigarh.
» Rail - Punjab is well-connected by rail to other
parts of the country. The main railway stations of the state are Chandigarh,
Amritsar, Ludhiana, Pathankot, and Jalandhar. The trains are available from
these stations to many parts of the country.
» Road - The State Highways, National Highways and
Grand Trink Road connect the state to rest of the country. The state run
buses and private buses run for major cities of the state.
