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tourism in punjab

TOURISM
FORTS
Govindgarh Fort, Amritsar
Early 19th century designed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Not open to visitors.
Bathinda Fort
Schooner shaped fort stands like a ship in a sea of sand, a design eminently suited to the desert environment. It is reputed to be 1800 years old.
Faridkot Fort, 30 km from Ferozepur
Reputed to be 700 years old, noteworthy for the hall of mirrors and wall paintings called Sheesh Mahals.
Qila Mubark, Patiala
Built in 1764 by Maharaja Ala Singh, it was originally a mud fort and later raised into a sprawling double storied structure with a massive gate having beautiful arches. The best part of the fort is a museum now.
Bhadurgarh Fort, 6 km from Patiala
Anandpur Sahib Fort, Ropar
Phillaur Fort, Ludhiana
Shahpur Kandi Fort, 7 Km from Pathankot

PALACES
Summer Palace of Ranjit Singh, Amritsar
Originally, laid in a garden spreading across 84 acres of rare plants, trees and flowers, surrounded by a boundary wall, 14 feet high and a moat all around it, this beautiful palace had also several equally beautiful structures which were converted into clubs and libraries, and the lawns around them into tennis courts by the British.

The entrance of the palace called the Darshani Deori is unique in design. It has four two storied towers in the cardinal directions. There are two tanks, the one connecting the palace with water channels fitted with fountains and the other with the air-conditioning pipes circuiting the outer walls and the bathing tanks of the double storied part of the residence. Some of the paintings and the mirror work on the roofs are still extant.

Qila Mubarak, Patiala
The Qila (fort) was also the residence of Patiala dynasty. The residential part was called Qila Androon or the Inner Fort. Its living apartments have names like Jail Walla Palace for royal prisoners, the Moti (pearl) Palace, the Sheesh (mirror work) Palace, the Rajmata (Queen Mother) Palace, the Palace of Colours, the Palace of the Moon.

The recreational structures were called the Putli (Puppet) Ghar and Bagh Ghar or the Garden House. Its richly painted chambers are peerless. Most astonishing of all, the palace is fitted an with underground sewerage system and has a cool room connected with a tunnel that brings cool air from the basement.

Lassi Khana- the royal kitchen used to feed 35,000 people of all ranks everyday.

Sheesh Mahal, Patiala
It was built in the reign of Maharaja Narinder Singh (1845-1862) in a forest with terraces, gardens, fountains and an artificial lake. Part of the three storied building is inset with pieces of reflecting mirrors and a large number of wall paintings depicting scenes from Bhagwat Puran and portraits of the Sikh Gurus.
The palace has galleries displaying antique paintings, bronzes, sculptures and portraits of the Maharajas of Patiala. The highlight is the gallery which displays the worlds largest collection of medals, decoration and orders of various countries.
The palaces of Nabha and Faridkot are not open to public.

MUSEUMS
Punjab has excellent museums with an extensive range of paintings and sculptures by contemporary Indian artists as well as a collection of Indian miniatures of the Mughal, Rajasthani, Pahari and Sikh schools.

The museums also house a fine collection of medals, arms and armour, objects of princely states with sections on Archaeology, Anthropology, Tribal and folk arts.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum, Amritsar
Sanghol Museum, Fatehgarh Sahib
Angol Sikh War Memorial, Ferozepur
Govt. Museum, Hoshiarpur
Rural Museum, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Qila Mubarak Patiala, Museum of Armoury & Chandeliers
Art Gallery at Sheesh Mahal, Patiala
Sports Museum, National Institute of Sports, Patiala
Guru Teg Bahadur Museum, Anandpur Sahib, Ropar,

WILDLIFE
One of the least known facts about Punjab is that it is the natural habitat for a variety of flora and fauna. There are a number of wetlands, bird sanctuaries and zoological parks all over Punjab.
Hari-ke-pattan National Wetland & Wildlife Sanctuary, Amritsar

It is one of the most important lakes in India. The lake turns into a haven for nearly 350 species of migratory birds in the winter season (November onwards).
Sutlej Water Body Wetland, Ropar
Over 250 species of migratory birds fly in here every year. Its 30 km stretch of crystal clear water in scenic surroundings makes it a popular spot for angling, kayaking, canoeing, boating and long distance swimming.

Kanjli Wetland, Kapurtala
The Maharaja of Kapurthala had built a lake after making a barrage on river Kali Bein. Joined by many rivulets, the beautiful lake is still there. The lake is a home for migratory birds in winter and a popular picnic spot.

Zoological Park, Chhatbir
The park area is spread over 202 acres of raw scrubland. It houses 52 species of animals including the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Himalayan black bear and 62 species of birds in a simulated natural habitat.

Popular for its Lion Safari, it is the biggest park of its kind in India. Other interesting places to visit are Deer Park at Neelon on Ludhiana- Chandigarh road and the Tiger Safari near Ludhiana is also a great experience.

PILGRIMAGE
Temples
Ram Tirth, Amritsar
Believed to date back to the period of the Ramayana and said to contain Valmikis hermitage. The place has an ancient tank and many temples. A hut marks the site where Sita gave birth to Luv & Kush. A four day fair has been held here since time immemorial starting on the full moon night in November.

Durgiana Mandir, Amritsar (Lakshmi Narain Temple)
Built in the 1930s in Gurudwara style, it is a well known repository of Hindu scriptures.

Shiv Mandhir, Gur-mandi, Jalandhar
The temple dates back to the Lodhi Era and has an unusual architecture. Its main gate is built in the style of a mosque while the rest of the building is built in the Hindu style.

Sodal Mandir, Jalandhar City
The temple of a child deity where wishes are fulfilled. Thousands of devotees congregate here during the month of September.

Panch Mandir, Kapurthala
The prime dome in the centre is surrounded by several smaller temples dedicated to different deities. It is the most striking building in the city of wonder architecture.

Kali Devi Temple, Patiala
Built by the rulers of Patiala, it has been declared a national monument because of its beautiful wall paintings and icons.

Mosques and Mausoleums
Pir Baba Haji Rattan, Bathinda
Attracts devotees from all faiths. A mausoleum marks the site where the Peer Baba Hajji Rattan used to meditate. The place is haloed by the visits of the 1st and the 10th Prophets of Sikhism, Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh.

Rauza Sharif, Sirhind
The magnificent and spacious Rauza is a mausoleum which commemorates the burial place of Mujadid-alf-Saani Sheikh Ahmed Farooqi who lived during the reigns of Akbar and Jahangir from 1563 to 1634.

The old mosque in the vicinity is extant, so are several cenotaphs. It was once considered a propitious burial place of the high and mighty. Some Muslim sects consider it second only to Mecca in reverence. A great Urs is held here annually every August.

Qadian
Qadian is the home of the Ahmediya sect of the Muslims founded by Sheikh Ahmed Qadiani towards the end of the 19th Century. Qadian is actually a township with remarkable structures. The Ahemdiya who are now to be found all over the world congregate here in the last week of December.
The Moorish Mosque, Kapurthala

Situated near the railway station it was built in 1930 during the reign of the last Maharaja of Kapurthala, Jagatjit Singh. He had employed a French architect Manteaux who followed the design of the great Qutbiya Mosque, at Marakesh in Moracco.

Imam Nasir Mausoleum and Jama Masjid, Jalandhar
Imam Nasir Mausoleum is 800 year and Jama Masjid is 400 years old.

Gurudwaras
Sikh gurudwaras are scattered all over the country and even abroad. Being the home of Sikhism Punjab has numerous Gurudwaras.

Amritsar Circuit
Har Mandir Sahib or Golden Temple, Amritsar
With a part of the land granted by Emperor Akbar, the foundation stone laid by a Muslim Sufi Saint, Mian Mir, the construction was completed in 1601. Free kitchen and recitation of the divine word never cease here. Its four gates invite everyone from all directions, the scripture is unique, it contains the divine message as received by saints, bhagats and pirs of all the faiths of India.

Tarn Tarn, 24 km from Amritsar
Founded by the 5th Prophet Sri Guru Arjan Dev the impressive Gurudwara with gold plated dome has a holy pool. The guru used to run a lepers home here.

Goindwal Sahib
Near Tarn Tarn, the centre of Sikh religion during the time of the third Prophet, Guru Amar Das. The deep well (bauli) in the Gurudwara has 84 steps. Whoever takes a bath here and recites the Japji Sahib (the divine composition of Guru Nanak) at each step, and repeats the recitation followed by bath in the Holy Well 84 times, attains moksh, because he lives out 84,000 cycles of birth representing each species created by God.

Khadur Sahib, 52 km from Amritsar
Commemorates the seat of Sikh religion during the time of the second Prophet, Guru Angad Dev.

Baba Bakala, 45 km from Amritsar
The 9th Prophet Guru Teg Bahadur had revealed himself to Makhan Shah Lubana, a Sikh devotee here. A fair is held here on the occasion of Rakhsha Bandhan.

Dera Baba Nanak, 35 km from Gurdaspur
Guru Nanak spent the last 12 years of his life here. The clothes he wore at Mecca are preserved here. A fair called the Maghi fair is held here every January.

Gurudwara Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodi
This is the Gurudwara built at the place where the first prophet Guru Nanak attained enlightenment and created Sukhmani Sahib while taking bath in the river Kali Bein.

Ropar Circuit
Gurudwaras at Kiratpur Sahib (90 km from Chandigarh)
Kiratpur was established in 1627 by the 6th Prophet Sri Guru Hargobind. The place is associated with the memory of a Muslim Saint Pir Buddan Shah who was gifted with a very long life.

Gurudwara Charan Kamal
Commemorates the spot where the Pir had met the Ist Prophet of Sikhism, Sri Guru Nanak. His mausoleum is located on a hill nearby.

Gurudwara Shish Mahal Sahib
The 6th Prophet had established his residence here. The 7th Prophet Sri Guru Har Rai and the 8th Prophet Sri Guru Harkrishan were born here.

Gurudwara Damadama Sahib
The 6th Prophet used to deliver divine sermons here.

Gurudwara Sri Takhat Sahib
The 6th and the 7th Prophets were proclaimed Gurus at this spot according to the Sikh tradition and rites.

Gurudwara Harmandir Sahib
The 6th Prophet had laid a herbal and flower garden here. Mohsin Fani, the famous scholar of religion of his times and the Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh met Sri Guru Hargobind here.

Posted on 20/7/2008 11:38:22 | Comments (0)