Ji aaya nu…a hearty welcome to the land of colours, culture, celebration, love, and warmth!
Punjab consists of two words—Punj, meaning five, and ‘Ab’referring to water or river. Considering that Punjab is known as ‘the land of five rivers’, the state where five rivers— Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum—flow, the name is quite apt. Geographically the state is situated in the Northwest region of India and is amongst the most prosperous states of the country.
Punjab is widely renowned for its historical background, culture, and of course, its cuisine. The state also has a vast public transportation and communication network and welcomes a huge number of tourists every year who come here to enjoy the rich heritage that this place offers.
While each city of this glorious state is worth visiting, you definitely can’t miss out on some of the most illustrious and happening cities in Punjab i.e. Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Mohali, Bathinda, Firozpur, and Pathankot. Here’s a look at some of the famous tourist attractions in Punjab.
1. Amritsar
You cannot visit Punjab and miss visiting the holy place of Amritsar, widely known for the Gurudwara Sri Harmandir Sahib aka the Golden Temple. The city is also popular for its folk crafts like Phulkari and Punjabi jutti, and staple fare like Amritsari kulche and sarson da saag along with makke di roti.
The Wagah Border ceremony is another reason why many people flock to Amritsar, to watch the marvellous magnificently choreographed drill done by the Indian and Pakistan state troopers while lowering the flags.
Amritsar also has Jallianwala Bagh, which takes you back to the Pre-independence days, where lakhs of innocents were shot dead.
Rose Garden is one of the best places to visit in Punjab, while you are in Amritsar. The garden gives a panoramic view of gorgeous mother nature while showcasing a variety of roses. The garden is designed in an exquisite manner with a walking path, fountain, playground, and of course blooming roses. It has many rides for the youngsters, which makes the place a wonderful picnic spot for the whole family.
2. Ludhiana and Jalandhar
When it comes to wedding shopping, do consider visiting Ludhiana and Jalandhar to make a dazzling trousseau with a pinch of desi-ness in it. These cities provide a wide range of fabrics at economical prices that won’t result in you emptying your pockets.
Places to visit in Jalandhar
Apart from salwar suits, shopping complexes, and restaurants, the city of Jalandhar is widely famous for its sports industry and equipment. It is surprising to know that the goods manufactured in Jalandhar are widely used during many international sporting events like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games.
Jalandhar also has many holiday attractions such as Rangla Punjab Haveli—an ideal place to witness the standard heritage of this pious state, Wonderland Amusement Park, Science City to unleash the scientist in all of us, and Jung-e-Azadi Memorial for a peek into history.
All in all, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that one of the oldest cities in Punjab, still holds a significant heritage and cultural value. A trip around this wonderful place will make you long to explore each and every corner of this city.
3. Patiala
Patiala is also known as the hub of ancient architecture, which has been preserved in the best way possible. Voted the cleanest city in Punjab, it lets you soak in the history and traditions of the good kings and rulers of the era gone by. You can also buy stunning parranda’s, panjeb (payal), and silk salwars here.
4. Bathinda
Bathinda, also known as the ‘City of Lakes’, is one of the most important places in Punjab with a strong historical background and rich culture. That said, it is relatively less visited as compared to the other cities in the state. You can explore square measure temples and historical monuments and forts that unfold across this city. It also has thermal plants spread across the lakes.
5. Chandigarh - Mohali
After soaking in heritage and culture, it’s time to have a gala time with your loved ones in Chandigarh. The city is world-famous for its greenery and clean roads and is known as the white city of the country. This city surely offers a welcoming embrace to all its tourists with its happening bars, shopping malls, and sightseeing options.
You can surely enjoy the beauty of the tourist attractions in Punjab with Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, and timber trail. While we are talking about a good time, how can we forget about the shopping! The city has some really good markets, exhibitions, and shopping malls for all spendthrifts and shopaholics.
Anandpur Sahib Gurudwara at Rupnagar in Punjab (close to Himachal Border) is also worth a visit, and is well known for its tranquility.
Overall, the exciting state of Punjab offers you a wholesome experience of culture, traditions, cuisines, and valued legacy. It truly deserves to be on your travel bucket list.