Literally translating into, “The land of 5 rivers”, the North Indian State of Punjab is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in India. From historical to religious, and from serene to vibrant, the diversity of places to visit in Punjab is utterly amazing. Being a huge and geographically diverse state, Punjab offers numerous attractions to explore which might take months to explore.Here’s a list of some of the most important Punjab famous places that a traveler must not miss.
Amritsar, the holy city, is one of the visited Punjab tourist places by domestic as well as foreign travelers. This city is undoubtedly, the cultural, historical, and religious hub of Punjab. It is home to the sacred Sikh shrine, Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), which is not only visited by the Sikhs but also by innumerable tourists from all around the globe, who flock to this place in search of peace, and also to witness the culture, and the humanitarian service of langar (community kitchen for all). Another important tourist place in Amritsar is the Jallianwala Bagh. Now serving as a public park, and a massacre memorial, this place has a dark history attached to it which dates back to the period of British rule in India. On 13th April, 1919, General Colonel Reginald Dyer, along with his troops, opened fire on public in Jallianwala Bagh, killing thousands of innocent people. One can still spot bullet holes on the walls of the memorial.
Other Punjab famous places include cities like Chandigarh, and Mohali. Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, is the urban hub of the states. Mohali and Chandigarh are the most quaint well as lively cities of Punjab, and are known for their modernized version of Punjabi culture. Places like Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, and numerous parks, shrines and memorials are some of the top attractions of these cities. From casual cafes to upmarket restaurants, and roadside dhabas, there are numerous places where one can savor the culinary delights of Punjabi cuisine.
Cities like Ludhiana, and Jalandhar are some of top Punjab points of interest who wish to witness rural as well as urban side of Punjab at the same time. The city of Ludhiana is known for its industries, as well as attractions like Museum of Rural Life which displays the Punjabi culture through pottery, musical instruments, and traditional Punjabi clothing. Jalandhar is an ancient North Indian city which home to popular temples and Gurudwaras like Devi Talab Mandir, and Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi. To go deep into the rural life of Punjab, travelers can visit places like Bathinda, Nangal, Barnala, and more where one can witness how the rural thrives on farming, and cattle breeding.
Travelers who want to take a tour of historical places in Punjab should visit places like Patiala, Anandpur Sahib, Sirhind, Faridkot and more. While exploring these cities, tourists can gain insight to the rich historical heritage on how these cities were formed, the major battles fought on these fields, and the royal kingdoms that once governed these places. The ancient architecture of forts, palaces, and other buildings are also a sight to spectate.