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Punjab



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Punjab during Mahabharata times was known as Panchanad. Indus Valley Civilization spanned much of the Punjab region with cities such as Harrapa (modern-day Punjab, Pakistan).


Airports
Punjab is known as the Land of Five rivers. At Roop Nagar there are evidences that link us to the Indus valley civilisation and also antiques pointing out to the Alexander the Great's army existence has been received. The Bhatinda and the Faridkot fort tells us a lot about the rich past of Punjab. The summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh displays a different architecture and a uniue design. Being a rich historical place the museums here are also very rich and its worth a see.

Punjab has had a long history of struggles and suffering but the people of Punjab are survivors. They suffered at the time of partition and during the long years when terrorism had marred the spirit of Punjab. But still there is nothing to beat the vitality of the region and its people. It has grown to become one of the most affluent of India's states. It is famous for its cuisine, the vast fields of wheat and mustard, its colourful people, inspiring music, community dances and more...



 
Capital - Chandigarh
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Best Time to visit - October to March.

October marks the beginning of the winter season in Punjab. Winters are chilly, as the temperature dips to 0 degrees(night). The Summers stretch from April till June and is hot and dry with temperatures rising to 45°C. The monsoons are from July to September.
  • Chandigarh - Chandigarh International Airport
  • Amritsar - Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport




States/Regions
  • Zoological Park Chhatbir
  • Satluj Waterbody Wetland, Ropar
  • Hari-ke-pattan- National Wetland & Wildlife Sanctuary, Amritsar
  • Kanjli Wetland, Kapurtala

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Culture & Customs
Cusine of punjab

Punjab is a food-lover’s paradise. Not only is this region home to nutty, long-grain basmati rice, that quintessential accompaniment to spicy curries, it also nurtures much of India’s wheat  thanks to the green revolution of the 1960s. Punjabi cooks quickly embraced the cuisine of the Mugals and their renowned barbecue techniques using the ingenious and simple tandoor clay oven. Sizzling tandoori chicken is only beaten for popularity by the world-famous butter chicken; but you should also savour the tandoori vegetables, the various dhal (lentil) dishes and the locally famous Amritsari fried fish. all glasses of lassi, made of yogurt, tempered with either salt or sugar, are a popular cooling drink of Punjabi origin but it is quite popular all over the country.


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Fairs and Festivals

Kila Raipur Sports Festival
Known as the Rural Olympics. Takes place in the month of  Feb at Kila Raipur, near Ludhiana.  Three days of rural sport activities like bullock-cart races, kabaddi, strongman contests, folk dancing and more take place.

Holla Mohalla
is celebrated in March. It is  Anandpur Sahib Celebration of the Khalsa (Sikh brotherhood).

Baba Sheikh Farid Aagman Purb Festival
is celebrated in Faridkot with cultural performances in rememberance  of the Sufi saint.

Pinjore Heritage Festival
occurs in early October in Pinjore Gardens. The 3 day festival has music and dance and a mela of local handicrafts and food.

Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan
takes place in December at  Jalandhar. There is a 4 day festival of Indian Classical music.

Lohri
falls in the  month of Magh, and is one of the highly popular festivals of Punjab. This harvest festival is celebrated one day before Makar Sakranti  is celebrated with songs, dance and bonfires.

Basant Panchami
The mustard fields bloom in the month of January-February. It announces the arrival of Spring.

Gurupurabs
are the anniversaries associated with the lives of the 10 Sikh Gurus.




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Shopping

  • Punjabi durries are woven rugs, which are either used as bedcovers or as carpets. Look out for these durries in  Amritsar and Chandigarh
  • Punjabi jutties is the name given to the typical footwear of Punjab. They have beautiful patterns done on them and are light weight and comfortable to wear. Look out for them in Patiala.
  • Phulkari is a form of craft in which artistic embroidery done beautifully in a shawl, saree, dupatta. The phulkari  work is very popular in these areas and do buy one in your Punjab visit.
  • Parandis are the attractive hangings that are worn in the hair. They are widely used by the Punjabi women, especially those living in the rural areas, or on festivals and occasions.
  • Punjabi shawls are world famous, for their intricate designs, coziness and reasonable price. look out for them in  Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar
  • Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar and Bhera famous for inlaid furniture like chairs, round tables etc
  • Hand fans, punjbai dolls in dancing bhangra style, leather items etc can be commonly seen here.
 
  • Bathinda

  • Ferozepur

Qila Mubarak, Moti Bagh Palace, Sheesh mahal

Chhatbir zoo, Rock garden, Rose garden

  • Faridkot

  • Sangarur

Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum, Lodhi fort

Golden temple, Wagah border, Jallianwala bagh

Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Museum, Tulsi mandir
Pilgrim's trail
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Anandpur Sahib       Taran Taran      Sirhind








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