Home »  North India  » Punjab

Punjab

Punjab, the land of five rivers and integrated cultural history,is a treasure trove for an avid tourist.For this land of the great gurus not only boasts of ancient monuments but throbs with historical  embodiments.It is no secret that whoever comes to this land of yellow fields with blue mountains providing the romantic and picturesque backdrop has never gone back without imbibing the essence of

Punjab.

There is no dearth of breathtaking palaces,for Punjab was the seat of royality,as the imposing Quila Mubarak  will tell you. Museums galore and so are the religious   places with the Golden Temple offering succour to the mind and soul of any one visiting. If you are a wild life freak, then Punjab can take you on a tour of the sanctuaries,which are hot favourites with migratory birds.Since this state borders Pakistan,there are two main posts from which you can peep into the land that was once an integral part of Punjab and  experience the feelings of the people separated by a line.  The much truncated India's portion of present Punjab is divided into three natural regions :the Majha,the Doaba and the Malwa. Punjab, the chief wheat producing area of the country, is the overland entry point into India. The state is also known for its production of sports and hosiery goods. The holiest shrine for the Sikhs is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, so called because the dome is covered with gold leaf.

Amritsar

Amritsar - the holy city of Sikhs, has grown from a sacred village pond intoa spiritual temporal centre of Sikh culture. The city gets its name from thepool-Amritsar (Pool of Nectar), which was constructed by the fourth religiouspreceptor of the Sikh faith. It also lies on the Asain Highway.
 

How to get there

	Air : Amritsar is connected by air with Delhi and Shrinagar.
	Rail: Amritsar is connected by rail with Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay, Varanasi, Wagah (Attari Border) and some other places in India.
	Road: Amritsar is connected by bus with Ambala, Chandigarh, Delhi, Ferozepur, Jammu etc. Some of the road distances are as follows:- Jammu 216 kms, Ferozepur 160 kms, Chandigarh 235 kms, Delhi 435 kms and Wagah 29 kms.
	Local Transport: Cycle Rickshaws, Taxis, City buses.

What to see

Golden Temple, Akal Takht, Durgiana Temple, Jallaianwala Bagh, Saragarhi Gurudwara, Tower of Baba Atal, Academy of Fine Arts, Central Museum & S.G.Thakur Singh Art Gallery.

Excursions

Gobindwal Sahib- 30 kms
Taran Taaran- 22 kms
Baba Bakala Gurudwara 45 kms
Ram Tirath- 10 kms
Preet Nagar- 20 kms
Amanat Khan Sarai and Hari-ke-Patten- 38 kms.

Chandigarh

The city of Chandigarh lies in the valley surrounded by Shiwalik Hills that hem the great Himalayas. From here one can travel northwards to the hill resorts of Shimla Kulu, Manali, Dharmashala and Dalhousie. Chandigarh is not only the most modern city in the country but has been planned to perfection by the world famous French architect le Corbusier.

How to get there

	Air : Indian Airlines connect Chandigarh with Delhi, Jammu, Shrinagar and Leh. Vayudoot Services connect Chandigarh with Delhi, Kulu and Gaggad.
	Rail: Chandigarh, the terminal of Northern Railway, is connected with Bombay, Delhi, Kalka and other major cities in India.
	Road: Chandigarh is connected by good motorable roads with Amritsar 240 kms, Dehradhun 230 kms, Delhi 248 kms, Shimla 117 kms, Kulu 279 kms, Bhakra 116 kms, Kasauli 77 kms, Jammu 380 kms.
	Bus Services: Regular bus services connect Chandigarh with Amritsar, Delhi, Dharamshala, Kulu, Manali, Nangal, Pathankot and Shimla.

Places of interest

The Secratariat, The Assembly & High Court, Zakir Hussain Rose Garden (2 kms), Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Govt. Museum & Art Gallery & Punjab University Complex, International Doll Museum, National Gallery of Portraits.

Excursions

Pinjore Gardens (25 kms)
Bhima Devi Temple (22 kms)
Chattbir Zoo (22 kms)
Mansa Mandir / Chandi Mandir (10 kms)
Bhakra Nangal (116 kms)
Ponta Sahib (135 kms)
Naina Devi (110 kms)