About Punjab Tourism
Lying in the northwest region of India, Punjab is a vibrant and culturally diverse state. It boasts beautiful lush landscapes, as well as a rich history and heritage that spans millennia, which makes Punjab tourism in India widely popular. The history of this region dates back to ancient civilizations, and its rich cultural heritage is quite evident in the architecture, art, and traditions of the state.
Some of the biggest highlights of Punjab tourism are the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. While the former is a resplendent shrine that attracts people from near and far, the latter is a sombre reminder of India's struggle for independence. Beyond a wide variety of sites of historical and cultural relevance, Punjab is also characterized by its pristine natural landscape. The Shivalik Hills in the northern fringes of Punjab especially feature a charming backdrop of rolling hills and lush greenery.
Punjab is home to divine gurudwaras, bustling urban centres, and intricate palaces. A visit to this state would provide you with immersive travel experiences. No matter whether you want to visit heritage monuments, admire stunning landscapes, shop at colourful bazaars or try out scrumptious culinary delights, you can do all this, and a lot more in Punjab. Punjab state tourism welcomes all types of travellers, regardless of the type of experiences they seek.
Best Time to Visit Punjab
The ideal time for Punjab tourism would be between the months of October and March. This period marks the winter and spring seasons in the state when the weather stays pleasant and comfortable enough for sightseeing sprees. During winter, the day time temperature in Punjab is likely to stay around 26°C, and may drop down to 0°C at night. Certain parts of the state also experience temperatures less than 0°C. Hence, you must carry warm clothes with you if you are planning your Punjab trip in the winter months.
Experience The Best Of Punjab
Here are some of the most popular sightseeing spots in Punjab that should be a part of your itinerary:
The Golden Temple: Also known as the Sri Harmandir Sahib, this is among the most venerated sacred sites in Sikhism and tends to be a part of almost all Punjab tourism packages. This temple is renowned for its grand architecture and design, peaceful ambience, friendly volunteers, as well as daily langars. All visitors, poor or wealthy, are welcome to a free meal at the temple kitchen. The Golden Temple features a stunning fusion of Hindu and Islamic architectural influences. From a distance, it appears to float serenely at the end of a long causeway over the sacred pool. Its lower level is crafted from elegant white marble. Above this marble base lies the gleaming upper level, encased in beautifully carved gold panels. This level is crowned by a magnificent dome gilded with 750 kgs of pure gold, and makes it a key highlight of Punjab travel and tourism.
Jallianwala Bagh: Quite close to the Golden Temple you would find this infamous garden that witnessed the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. Jallianwala Bagh is a memorial to all who lost their lives during the open fire by General Dyer. Even though several parts of the park have been renovated and recreated, it would still take you back in time. You can find bullet marks and holes on the walls of the park that tell the story of the massacre. There are information plaques throughout the park that detail the importance of each of its spots. You will also find the Martyr’s Well here, where people jumped in, to avoid the bullets of the British soldiers.
Jagatjit Palace: This palace is located in Kapurthala, often referred to as the 'Paris of Punjab'. Jagatjit Palace is characterized by its grand architecture. It was built in 1908 and has a captivating Indo-Saracen architecture. The Jagatjit Palace is modelled after the Versailles Palace.
Lodhi Fort: A popular Punjab tourism highlight due to its historical importance; this is a 500-year-old fort that was built by the legendary Muslim ruler Sikander Lodhi. Even though it is in ruins now, the fort once stood as a symbol of the splendour of the Lodhi dynasty. It served as a military fortress as well as a place of governance over the region.
How To Reach Punjab
Punjab is well-connected to almost all parts of the country.
By Flight: The major airports of Punjab are in Amritsar and Ludhiana, from where flight services to most major Indian cities are available. Chandigarh Airport also has a domestic terminal.
By Train: Punjab has quite an expansive railway network. Some of its major railway stations are in Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, and Ferozepur, which connect the state to the rest of the country.
By Road: Punjab enjoys easy connectivity to the rest of the northern and eastern parts of India through the Grand Trunk Road and NH1. Nearby states, like Uttarakhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan have highway networks running into or through Punjab.
