CHANDIGARH : Is a union territory that is the capital of both Punjab, as well as, Haryana. India's first planned city, Chandigarh is traditionally a Punjabi city at heart with a healthy dose of modernity; Chandigarh's food and gedi culture (a leisure drive or ride the city) is what the capital is known for! Located at a distance of 265 km from Delhi, Chandigarh is one of the popular weekend road trip destinations and other major cities but also acts as an important staging point when one heads to destinations in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. A favourite activity of the locals at Chandigarh is boating at the beautiful Sukhna Lake. However, the other important attractions in the city are the Rock Garden, the Leisure Valley & Rose Garden.
Chandigarh's Rock Garden is very well known for being entirely designed out of discarded industrial and urban waste, while the Leisure Valley is an 8-kilometre-long well-maintained park that houses Asia's most extensive rose garden, a very popular draw among tourists and locals alike. Another famous place to visit in Chandigarh is the Capitol complex, often referred to as Le Corbusier Centre. Earlier used as Le Corbusier's base, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has now been converted into a museum, and tourists are free to visit it.
AMRITSAR : Home of the glorious golden temple, the iconic city of Amritsar, portrays the heroic character of Punjab. The second-largest city of the Indian state of Punjab, Amritsar is colloquially known as Ambarsar. Apart from the Golden Temple, Amritsar is known for its lip-smacking street food. Amritsar is the spiritual and cultural centre of the Sikh Religion. Baisakhi festival brings out Amritsar's resplendent face with its finest food, clothes and merry-making.
This place is also famous for its Jallianwala Bagh massacre and its proximity to Wagah Border. From Operation Blue Star in the Golden Temple to the tragedy of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Amritsar has seen the worst of situations and yet emerged like a phoenix through testing times. Amritsar today is a thriving city with active trade and tourism industries. A day in this peaceful city starts with the spiritual prayers from Gurudwaras. The original name is first the ancient lake, then the temple complex, and later the surrounding city, meaning "pool of ambrosial nectar." One of the most agriculturally productive cities of India, Amritsar is well connected with most of the important cities of India.
PATIALA : The fourth-largest city in the state of Punjab, Patiala is nestled in the southeast of the golden land. Patiala has strong historical and cultural roots, surrounded by architectural marvels and cultural heritage along with being a preferred destination for exploring the core traditions of Punjab. Patiala was once an erstwhile princely state and hence is home to many architectural marvels that are a blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.
The Patiala Gharana of Hindustani classical music traces its roots to this state. In popular culture, the city is famous for its 5 Ps - Patiala Shahi Pag, (a type of headgear which is traditionally worn by sikhs ) ,Paranda , Patiala Salwar , Patiala Jutti and Patiala Peg . When in Patiala, do visit the old town for experiencing the pulse of the city and gorging of finger-licking local delights. Famous for its royal heritage and traditional Punjabi culture, Patiala is home to the magnificent Qila Mubarak complex, the Sheesh Mahal, and the famous Patiala Peg.
LUDHIANA : Situated on the banks of river Sutlej, Ludhiana, Punjab’s largest city, is one of the biggest manufacturing hubs in India. Also known as Manchester of India, Ludhiana is famous for its hosiery industries, the ancient ruins of the Lodi dynasty and the war museum. Named after the Lodi dynasty, the city has retained the old world charm, kept the spirituality intact but also hasn't failed to keep up with the changing times and traditions of the country. Apart from being an industrial town, Ludhiana draws pilgrims and tourists from worldwide owing to its Gurudwaras, forts and ancient ruins. Lodi chiefs, Yusaf Khan and Nihang Khan, converted the village Mir Hota to Ludhiana. Ludhiana also hosts the famous Rural Olympics at Qila Raipur each year in the month of January-February.
SIRHIND : Sirhind Fatehgarh is a city in Punjab that is famous for its rich history and the religious significance it has for the Sikh community. Also called Gurumaari, this city has been inhabited for a long time and the multiple historic structures that stand tall till today are a testament to that. Located midway between Ludhiana and Ambala, Sirhind is one of the holiest cities for Sikhs in the world. It also has a rich history and a cultural tradition of inclusion and diversity. Most people believe that the name Sirhind comes from 'Sar-i hind', meaning the Frontier of Hind, as Mughal invaders saw it as the 'gateway to Hindustan'.
The rulers of this area reportedly fought bravely against invaders, and the many forts and bastions in the city are proof of the military and strategic importance of this city. Today, Sirhind is a very important tourist destination in Punjab and has many forts, museums, Gurudwaras and gardens that each have a fascinating history.
JALANDHAR : Is the true personification of the rich heritage and history of Punjab - a culmination of the old and the new. This historic city was a part of the illustrious Indus Valley Civilisation. Present day Jalandhar has grown to be an important commercial and industrial hub and is also known for its delectable Punjabi cuisine. The ancient city of Jalandhar promises to let you experience the best of Punjab, along with a taste of its history and culture. The various historic sites help you relive the rich heritage and culture of Jalandhar. The industrial and commercial growth of Jalandhar is as impressive as its vast history.
While the city is often referred to as the sports capital of India, having successfully produced great players who have represented the country, it is also a key exporter of sports goods. Jalandhar is also a world leader in the production of leather goods. When it comes to its culture and ethnicity, Jalandhar is famous for its dance forms and festivals. Any celebration is deemed incomplete without the famous Bhangra beats. Jhumar and Giddha are two other dance forms. While the most widely spoken language is Punjabi, the dishes are inclined to Punjabi cuisine. Apart from that, Jalandhar is home to the century-old Iman Nasir Mausoleum and Gurudwara Chhevin Padshahi which are popular tourists spots.
ANANDPUR SAHIB : Is located in the Rupnagar District of Punjab, close to the Pakistani border. It is one of the holiest places for Sikhs as the Khalsa Panth was founded here. The site where this sacred event took place has been commemorated by the construction of a Gurudwara. The city of Anandpur Sahib is most famous for its multitude of Gurudwaras that were built to commemorate various Sikh Gurus. There are five forts around the town that testify to the city's military history. Today, Anandpur Sahib is one of the holiest places in the world for Sikhs, and thousands of visitors come to this city to pray and take blessings from the sacred Gurudwaras of this town. Due to a large number of visitors, the city is very tourist friendly and is well connected to other major cities in the region. The main attraction of Anandpur Sahib is the Anandpur Sahib Gurudwara, also known as Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib.
It is one of the five holy takhts (thrones) of Sikhism and holds immense religious importance. The gurudwara complex is beautifully designed and is a center for religious activities and celebrations. Anandpur Sahib is famous for the Hola Mohalla festival, which takes place annually in March. It is a grand event that showcases martial arts, processions, mock battles, and various cultural performances.
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