Punjab India : Visit Land of Five Rivers

#punjab #punjabi #travel #fertile #rivers #five

​Punjab is one of the heartiest lands in all of land. This is the place which feeds India. This is the place where the staunch freedom fighter, Bhagat Singh was born. If you want to be at one with the essence of India, then Punjab is a place that you have to visit. It does not boast of adventurous trek routes or an endless coastline, but if you are looking for a unique blend of spirituality, hard work, rich culture, and innovative means of commercialisation, then Punjab is the place for you.

It is the land of five rivers and thus one of the most agriculturally rich lands in India. There is an array of geographical features which gives it a flavourful appeal. The following are some of the places where you can get a true essence of Punjabi lifestyle. Punjab is the place which will give you a wholesome experience and fill your heart with care and warmth.

Chandigarh

Chandigarh is the capital city of Punjab and has earned the right to be called a metropolitan city like Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata in the last few years. This city has seen rampant growth and beautification in the last couple of years and you will be mesmerised to see a city so well planned. It is very easy to reach Chandigarh. If you are travelling by road it is well connected to all the places in Punjab and to Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. The airport is 12 km away from the main city while the railway station is 8 km. it is easy to get can and bus services easily from either place to enter the city and reach your destination.
The most impressive thing about Chandigarh in the unique blend of modernisation and antiquity that you will find over here. This city speaks of the old, forgotten times adorned in the garbs of modernisation. This city also happens to be one of the cleanest in India. The Rock Garden in Chandigarh, as well as the Pinjore Garden is a very notable site that you have to visit.  The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden is also a beautiful place that you can visit. Other places to visit in Chandigarh are the Sukhna Lake and the International Dolls Museum.

Amritsar

Amritsar is one of the most popular cities of Punjab. It has been a historical sight throughout different generations and thus attracts so much attention. It is also one of the most revered sites for Sikhs because the Golden Temple is situated over here. There is also an array of other monuments built in the Punjabi style laid down throughout Amritsar. Another place of great significance in Amritsar is the Jalianwala Bagh. This site played an important role in India’s struggle for independence and the bullet holes from the merciless massacre are still etched on to the walls of this garden. The Wagah Border is also very near to Amritsar and takes about 3 hours to reach. The gate closing ceremony every day in the evening is demonstrated by army officials from both sides and is an exciting sight to behold.
It is very easy to reach Amritsar since it is a very important city in Punjab. The airport is 10 km away from the main city and is connected by domestic flights from all major cities in India. The station is also very well connected such that you can enter Amritsar from any side. The bus services to Amritsar from Delhi or from Himachal Pradesh are also very cosy and does not take much time. If you are looking for souvenirs to take home with you, then the markets of Amritsar are a great place to go looking for them. The street food is delectable and you will keep on licking your fingers clean while in Amritsar.

Ludhiana

Ludhiana is an often heard of place from Punjab and a visit to it will show you the kind of warmth this place holds. It is very easy to reach Ludhiana by road if you are starting from Amritsar or Chandigarh or most other cities in Punjab. Ludhiana has an airport but the only problem is that it is only connected to Delhi via flight. The other nearby airports are in Amritsar and Chandigarh. Ludhuiana also has a train station which is connected to the rest of Punjab and a train from Delhi also goes to Ludhiana.
If you want a real taste of “mitti di khoosboo” (the earthy smell), then Ludhiana is the place you have to be in. in fact, once you go to Ludhiana you will understand why Punjab is so ahead of the rest of the country in agriculture. If you want to witness how the state of Punjab operates at the most basic level, then Ludhiana is a place that you have to visit. You will also be astounded by the warmth with which the people of Ludhiana will welcome you. If you want to further immerse yourself in the Punjabi culture, then you can also go to the Museum of Rural Life in Ludhiana.

Jalandhar

Jalandhat with its history and culture is place that is appealing to both Sikhs as well as Hindus. It is especially significant to Hindus because of the many Hindu temples available in this region. It is a truly ancient city filled with Punjab’s rich culture. This is a place that you have to visit if you like to indulge in the history of a land. Whether you are traveling alone or with your kids, you are going to have so much fun in Jalandhar.
​
The city is well connected and very easy to reach. If you are in Punjab then various roads connect Jalandhar to rest of Punjab. You can come to Jalandhar from Delhi via road and it takes only 7 hours to reach via NH1. A new airport has also been constructed at Adampur, Jalandhar, and it is about 25 km from the city. You can also go to Jalandhar via train and the train station is within the city. Regular buses and cabs from railway station and airport makes it easy for you to travel into the city.
Jalandhar has a nice Science City that is really going to thrill you and your kids. The Devi Talab Mandir in Jalandhar is a really attractive and calming place to visit at least once in your life. There is also a Wonderland in Jalandhar which is a great place to blow of some steam with your family.

Bhatinda

If you live and have grown up in India, then you have surely heard about Bhatinda. It is a beautiful and picturesque place to visit and will give you a major dose of history lessons. Bhatinda is easy to reach through roadways using the bus or cab service from cities like Delhi, Amritsar, and Chandigarh. It is 225 km away from Chandigarh and 320 km away from Delhi. Presently, an airport is also being constructed at Bhatinda for more conveniences. If you are traveling by train you will be happy to note that Bhatinda is one of the largest junction for railways in India. Trains from all major cities in India and in the state of Punjab are regularly available to and from Bhatinda.

Bhatinda is also called the city of lakes and boasts of many a beautiful lake. The simplicity of this amazing city is what will stick with you for a long time. One of the most significant landmarks of this city is AIIMS. Other important places that this city boasts of are a thermal power station and also the Central University of Punjab. This city has been a hotbed for wars and has witnessed the likes of Muhammad Ghori, Mehmud if Ghazini, and the legendary Prithvi Raj Chauhan. Quila Muarak and the Rose Garden are truly amazing sites to visit in Bhatinda.

Patiala

Patiala is a unique place to visit and should definitely be on your itinerary if you are visiting Punjab. being the fourth largest city in Punjab, it is very easy to reach Patiala. There are regular cab, bus, and train services to and from Patiala. If you are traveling within Punjab, then Patiala is very well connected to the cities in Punjab via roadways. The nearest airport to Patiala is in Chandigarh and this city is 63 km away from Chandigarh. The railway station is in the city only and there are transport services available from both the railway station and the airport.

If you are fond of history and like to immerse yourself in the astounding culture of Punjab, Patiala is a great place to visit. The architecture over here shows a unique blend of different styles. You will find touches of Mughal style of architecture, Rajput styles, and the Punjabi styles. There is a whole range of amazing places that you can visit in Patiala. Moti Bagh Palace, Bahadurgarh Fort etc. are some of the striking monuments to visit on Patiala. If you are looking for authentic Punjabi items that you can get as souvenirs, Patiala is the place to get them. The markets are loaded with parandas, juttis, and all kinds of other stuff that you can take home with you.

Kapurthala

Kapurthala is a lesser known getaway in Punjab and is a mesmerizing place to visit. If you are looking for a place where you can get away from the cacophony of everyday life and immerse yourself in down to earth Punjabi lifestyle, then Kapurthala is the place for you to be. There are no airports in Kapurthala. Thus, if you are planning a  trip by air, you have to get down at Amritsar, and Kapurthala is only 75 km away and well connected to Amritsar. The trains travelling in the Jalandhar-Ferozpur line travels through Kapurthala while you can easily enter Kapurthala by taking the Jalandhar-Ferozpur road.

Kapurthala is also known as the Paris f Punjab, not because of a romantic atmosphere but because of its architectural style. The buildings and monuments in Kapurthala are built with French styles of architecture carefully blended with the Indo-Saracen styles. The city also has mane legends and tales it boasts of and it will be an impressive deal to listen through all those stories as you walk through the city. If you want to witness the unique architecture of this place, there are many monuments that you can go to. Jagatjit Palace and Elysee Palace are truly beautiful places that you just have to visit. The Moorish Mosque is also picturesque while the Shalimar Gardens is there to calm you mind and soothe your senses.

Pathankot

Pathankot is a splendid location in Punjab and is situated in the border regions of Punjab. It shares its borders with Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, both on the norther side. This gives Pathankot and enchanting beauty and you will get a first-hand glimpse of the Shivaliks from here. The city not only has a terrific landscape but is also rich in history. It is also an important point of contact between Punjab and Himachal ads this place serves as a railhead to many places in Himachal. Nurpur Fort and Shahpurkandi Fort are two of the forts in Pathankot that you have to visit. The Mukteshwar Temple is also a very attractive place to go to. The Ranjit Sagar Dam is calm, quite, and serene and is a great place to take your mind off things.

Pathankot is situated along the edges of Punjab and has a hilly terrain. There are no airports in Pathankot yet but it is very well connected via roadways. Whether you are travelling from Delhi or from Dalhousie in Himachal, it is very easy to find your way into Pathankot. The nearest airport is at Amritsar and you have to take a cab or a bus to travel the 119 km distance between the two places.

Nangal

The Bhakra-Nangal dam is one of the first hydroelectric power projects that was undertaken by India post-independence. Nangla is situated in Roopnagar district of Punjab and is one of those offbeat places to visit in Punjab. it is not very far away from Chandigarh and you can easily go to the place and return back in the span of a day. the gigantic dam structure is a breath-taking view and something that you will remember for a long time. It is a quaint, peaceful place wherein you can have a day of picnic. You can sit down along the edges of the huge dam and look out into the vast expanse of water. Satluj Park is situated nearby and you can even live through 500 years of Sikh history at the Virasat-e-Khalsa. The Nangal wetlands are also a very appreciable place and you will find many birds and different kinds of flora over there.

Ropar

If you have visited Jalandhar, then Ropar is a nearby place that you have to visit. It is a very ancient city in Punjab and still has the remains of the age old Harappan civilisation. Yes, the ruins of the Indus Valley civilization are still intact and you get to have a first-hand experience at witnessing them in Ropar. The historical glamour of this place makes it such an interesting place to visit.

Sirhind

The older name for Sirhind was Fatehgarh Sahib. It is a beautiful place loaded with history and is very well connected to major cities in Punjab such as Ludhiana, Amritsar, Chandigarh, etc. it is also easily accessible by road from Delhi. There is even a train station in Sirhind that sees regular trains. There are no airports but you can easily drop off at Chandigarh and Amritsar and complete the rest of the journey via bus or cab.

In the days of yore, Sirhind was a military outpost. It was developed by Prithvi Raj Chauhan to go on a revolt against the incoming invasion by Mohammad Ghori. In 1362, Sirhind became a part of the Ghauri Sultanate and was later founded again by the Tughlaq emperors. The rich cultural diversity that this place has witnessed throughout the ages is still etched into the monuments and buildings of the place. It is a worthwhile visit and it also happens to be a very popular pilgrimage site for the Sikhs.
 
            The earthiness of Punjab is what makes it such an impressive visit. After you travel through Punjab and interact with the people and culture of this place, you will feel a warmth within you. You will be heartily welcomed anywhere you go in Punjab, you can interact with some of the finest people in the world, and you will be surrounded by some of the most delectable food that you will ever find. Punjab should be on the list of every one who is fond of travelling as this place has so much to offer.