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Punjab Tourism

A Place That is a Strong Blend of Nature, Spirituality, and Adventure

About Punjab Tourism

Located in the northwestern part of India, Punjab means the land of five rivers. Known for its cuisine, culture and history, Punjab is visited by tourists who want to enjoy its vibrant culture and food.

The fertile land of farms and forts, Punjab is aptly nicknamed the 'Smiling Soul of India', where you will always find smiles on the faces of residents who take pride in their religion and culture. Though the state does not have any significant adventure activities to offer, entertainment is guaranteed!

There are many forts in the state which tell the story of the country's past. Golden Temple, Wagah Border, Jallianwala Bagh, Sheesh Mahal are some of the major tourist attractions of Punjab. The list goes on endlessly as every street in Punjab is an attraction in itself; Each region of Punjab has a different story to tell and a unique beauty hidden within.



General info

Best time to visit
Oct - March
Ideal Duration
3-5 Days
Visa
Not Required
Currency
INR

Frequently Asked Questions

All the festivals of Punjab are celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. They reflect the distinctive Punjabi culture and traditions. The festival of Lohri, which marks the end of winter, celebrates fertility. People gather around the bonfire and throw puffed rice or popcorn into the flame, sing popular songs and exchange greetings. Worship is also done. Basant Panchami is another traditional festival of Punjab. Basant Mela takes place and people wear yellow clothes. Kite flying is also enjoyed during this festival. Hola Mohalla is a three-day festival of the state and was started by Guru Gobind Singh. Thousands of Sikhs gather to celebrate. Horse riding, archery and sword fighting are an essential part of this festival. Baisakhi is also an important harvest festival for the winter crop, Rabi. Processions are taken out across the state and Bhangra, or Gidda dance is also performed. Gurpurab is celebrated on the birth anniversaries of the Sikh Gurus. In religious processions, sacred hymns are sung. People visit Gurudwaras, seek blessings and enjoy the holy langar.

Women usually wear churidar and kurta. Phulkari, which is a type of flower work, is unique to the region. Men wear kurta pajama or dhoti. Their clothes are usually bright, shiny and dark in colour. Colorful turbans or turbans are customary for Punjabi men. Shoes include juttis, mostly for both men and women. Punjabis also wear kadas, which are traditional steel bangles that have religious significance.

Punjab is well developed when it comes to transport facilities. There are modern airports spread throughout the state, and a few international ones as well. Shri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport is located in Amritsar and is approximately 11 km from the city. It is connected to all major cities of India. Chandigarh Airport is another international airport in Punjab. Sahnewal Airport is in Ludhiana district. Other airports in the state are Patiala Airport, Bathinda Airport and Pathankot Airport. These are all domestic airports.

When in Punjab you can't go back without taking back some traditional stuff. You must include embroidered shoes in your shopping list. They have different patterns and have beads, pearls or mirrors which look quite attractive. Phulkari work dresses are also very famous in Punjab. Parandi is worn on the hair by Punjabi women, and they are tied towards the end of the ponytail and are mostly used on special occasions. Shawls from Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana also attract tourists. They have intricate designs and are comfortable too. Some of the markets where you can go shopping are Ranka Bazaar of Jalandhar, Shastri Bazaar of Chandigarh and Palika Bazaar, Sector 7 Bazaar of Panchkula.

The largest community in Punjab consists of Sikhs and Jats who are incredibly hard working and mostly into agriculture. The people of Punjab are known for their warmth, hospitality and fun-loving nature as they celebrate all the festivals with great gusto, feasting hard on food and drink. Bravery and pride burn in their big, kind hearts, and they are valued for their courage and martial prowess. Punjabi is the official and local language of Punjab while people also communicate in Hindi, English and Urdu. If you are visiting Punjab for the first time then there will be no problem in communicating with the local people. Sikhism and Hinduism are the two major religions of Punjab, and there are also followers of Islam, Jainism, Buddhism, and Christianity. People worship Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhism. According to Sikhism, God is invisible and is present in every form of life. The Golden Temple of Amritsar is one of the world famous pilgrimage centers. The rich culture of Punjab has songs for every occasion, and both men and women participate in this rhythmic and energetic dance form. Needle work on bedspreads, garments and other textile products is done by women and phulkari (embroidered floral motifs) is the most famous pattern.