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Archive for the ‘Punjab’ Category

Gurudwara Manji Sahib Alamgir is situated in Alamgir Village near Ludhiana Distt. Guru Gobind Singh Ji reached Alamgir village after the martyrdom of his mother & four sons by Mughals and stayed here for few days. On reaching Alamgir, one of the horse trader of the Village named Bhai Nigahia Singh, gifted a horse to Guru Ji. Bhai Nabi Khan & Bhai Gani Khan provided a bed (manji) to Guru Ji. Guru Ji asked an old lady who was picking cowdung whether he could get some water from somewhere to take bath to which the old lady replied that

“Pir Ji this is a place of ruins, there is no water here”.

There is a well far away but there is a big python that lives there, no one goes there. On listening this, Guru Ji hit the python with an arrow & gave it ” Mukti ” ( exemption from further transmigration ) & the python fell into the well. When the people went to take water from the well, they found that the water is not clean, Guru Ji, then hit one more arrow & there was a water spring that came out & all had a bath. On seeing this miracle, the old lady fell into Guru Sajib’s feet & said

“Peer Ji you are a wonderful Peer, I have a request. I have leprosy & i have gone to various places to get the treatment done but it has not been cured, kindly cure my disease & help me to get rid of this disease”.

Guru Ji said that whoever takes a bath under this water spring with belief, GOD will cure all his sadness. Then Guru Ji sat on the horse given by Bhai Nigahia Singh & went towards Raikot. The old lady had a bath in that water spring & was cured. She went back to the village & told about the whole story. The place where Bhai Nabi Khan & Bhai Gani Khan kept GURU SAHIB’s bed, today at that place exists a beautiful Gurudwara known as Manji Sahib Alamgir.

Patiala district is one of the famous princely states of erstwhile Punjab, with the administrative headquarters bearing the same name. It is rich with attractions that invite tourists throughout the year.Patiala is founded by the Baba Ala Singh in the year 1753 and within a very short period in the two centuries. This place has recorded an unparalleled achievement in the field of music as well as painting. The city has the nearest airport Chandigarh, at a distance of 63 kilometer. It has a nearest railway station Ambala, at a distance 55 kilometer. It is a capital of princely state Patiala and so have many magnificent forts to visit.

Places To Visit

Qila Mubarak

Qila Mubarak is one of the prominent tourist attractions of Patiala. Built in 1764, by Maharaja Ala Singh, the fort was originally made as a mud fort or kachi garhi. The Maharaja constructed the pacca qila after his conquest of Sirhind. He constructed the qila by using the octroi received from the merchandise passing through his territory of the GT Road.

Old Motibagh Palace

Old Motibagh palace is the palace built in the late 19th century and it is located in the southern outer area of the town, at a distance of 3 kilometer and at the end of Mall road. It is the largest homes in Asia. The grotesquely oversized rambling central building is surrounded by the lawns and trees.

It is combination of Mughal, European and Rajput styles. It has the National institute for sports as a part of this building. In all there are 15 dining halls and number of outbuildings.

Baradari Gardens

Baradari Gardens surround the Baradari Palace, located in the north of old Patiala City, just outside Sheranwala Gate. It was constructed by Maharaja Rajindera Singh and consists of rare plants and trees, dotted with impressive Colonial buildings and a statue of the founder. The prime attraction in the garden is the 19th century Fern House, along with quaint Rink Hall.

The Harmandir Sahib (or Hari Mandir) in Amritsar, Punjab, is the holiest shrine in Sikhism. Previously (and still more commonly) known as the Golden Temple, it was officially renamed Harmandir Sahib in March 2005. The temple (or gurdwara) is a major pilgrimage destination for Sikhs from all over the world, as well as an increasingly popular tourist attraction.

In and amongst the hustle and bustle of India stands a timeless place of worship,where one can listen to enchanting hymns that captivate both devotees and tourists alike. “I have seen many places,but none like Thee”–Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

Golden Temple Amritsar.co.uk soughts to provide information about the Gurdwara (or Temple) from the early history to the present day. General visitor information together with photographs and art capturing the Golden Temple through the ages will give you an insight into the place and people that have been touched by it.

History

Construction of the Golden Temple began in 1574 on land donated by the Mughal emperor Akbar. The building project was overseen by the fourth and fifth Sikh Gurus. The temple was completed in 1601, but restoration and embellishment continued over the years. The temple had to be substantially rebuilt after it was sacked in the 1760s.In the early 19th century, 100 kg of gold were applied to the inverted lotus-shaped dome and decorative marble was added. All this gold and marble work took place under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The legendary warrior king was a major donor of money and materials for the shrine and is remembered with much affection by the Sikh community and Punjabi people.

In June 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered an attack on armed Sikh militants holed up in the Golden Temple. Over 500 people were killed in the ensuing firefight, and Sikhs around the world were outraged at the desecration of their holiest site. Four months after the attack, Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards, leading to a massacre followed in which thousands of Sikhs lost their lives.

Major Tourist Attractions

Khalsa College & Guru Nanak Dev University : Khalsa College was founded in 1892 and built on grand scale in typical Sikh architecture, its distinguished alumni; sportsmen, servicemen, administrators, professionals, fill up India´s compilations of Who´s Who. On a part of its land a new University called Guru Nanak Dev University was established. Soon it has become distinguished for starting modern curricula and has etched its name on the sports map of India.

Tarn Taran : 24 kilometres south, is Tarn-Taran-a town founded by Sri Guru Arjan Dev in 1590. The Gurdwara got constructed by the Guru stands on the side of a large tank. Fairs are held here on every ´Amavas´ dark night of the month, birth anniversaries of the Gurus, Baisakhi and Diwali.

Goindwal : A few kilometers away from Tarn Taran is the town of Goindwal, where Guru Amar Das established a new centre for preaching Sikhism. A ´Baoli´, well paved with 84 steps was constructed here. The devout believe that by reciting Japji Sahib, the divine ´Word´ revealed to Guru Nanak Dev Ji at each step after taking a bath in the Baoli provides ´Moksh´, liberation from 84,000 cycles of life of this world.

History

Amritsar is one of the most ancient and sacred cities of India. Amritsar, the abode of the famous Golden Temple, is the centre of Sikh history and culture. Amritsar is also a prime and popular pilgrim destination in India.

Amritsar is situated in the Langar district of the state of Punjab in the north – western part of India. Amritsar is at a distance of about 217 km from Chandigarh and 32 km from Lahore of Pakistan. The best time to visit Amritsar is from October to March.

Amritsar was once the gateway to those people who travelled to India through overland route from Central Asia. But nowadays, the ancient city of Amritsar is remembered mostly by its grim political history. The tragic episode of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre that took place on 13th April, 1919, when India was under British Rule, changed the destiny of India. Amritsar also witnessed Operation Blue Star in the year 1984 under the late Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.

Oral tradition dictates that the Muslim divine Pir Mian Mir of Lahore, at the request of the fifth Sikh Guru Arjan Dev, laid the temple’s foundation stone. However, there is no record supporting this, not even in the biographies of Pir. The recorded account says that Guru Arjun Dev laid the foundation in 1588. The Guru’s followers settled down in the neighborhood and a small town called Ramdaspur quickly came up, deriving its later name, Amritsar, from the holy tank that encircles the Hari Mandir, or the Darbar Sahib, now known as the Golden Temple.

Places To Visit

The Golden Temple

Also known as Harminder Sahib, it is the most revered shrine of the Sikhs. The name Golden Temple originated as the sanctum sanctorum Akal Takht has its roof covered with pure gold plates. The Sikhs from all over the world come to visit the shrine at least once in their lifetime. The four gates in four cardinal directions are an open invitation to all to visit the shrine. The Central Sikh Museum is atop the Clock Tower. The ‘Guru Ka Langar’ offers free food to around 20,000 people everyday. The number shoots up to 100,000 on special occasions. A visitor must cover his / her head before entering the temple premises. The Granth Sahib is kept in the Temple during the day and is kept in the Akal Takht or Eternal Throne in the night. The Akal Takht also houses the ancient weapons used by the Sikh warriors.

Jallian Wala Bagh

It gained its place in the annals of the Indian freedom struggle when British General Reginald Dyer mercilessly gunned down hundreds of innocent men, women and children who had gathered in the park on the day of Baisakhi in 1919. The park symbolizes the atrocities committed by the British on the Indian soil.

Ram Bagh

The landscaped garden with Summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the center. The Maharaja later named it Ram Bagh. It has a museum with relics of Mughal era and hand drawn sketches and portraits of the ruling Sikhs.

Attari Wagah Border

Attari Border about 28 kms. from Amritsar is the oldest border crossing between India and Pakistan. It’s an interesting experience especially at sunset when the ‘Retreat’ ceremony takes place with the BSF on the Indian Side of the Border. The daily highlight is the evening “Beating the Retreat” ceremony. Soldiers from both countries march in perfect drill, going through the steps of bringing down their respective national flags. As the sun goes down, nationalistic fervors rises and lights are switched on marking the end of the day amidst thunderous applause.

Introduction

Patiala is one of the places in Punjab where you can extract its traditional beauty. It is also one of the main tourist destinations in Punjab. The city is famous for its pagg, peg, paranda and Juti and is also known for its cultural heritage. The place lies between 29°49’ and 30°47’ north latitude, 75°58’ and 76°54′ east longitude. Patiala literally means the land of Baba Ala Singh who was the founder of the place. Patiala is also a home town for famous personalities like Rakesh sharma who was the first Indian in space, Jet airways Chairman Naresh Goyal and some the cricketers like Mohinder Amarnath, Navjot Sidhu, Rathinder Singh Sodhi etc. It is also the head quarters of Patiala District of Punjab.

While travelling to the city of Patiala, should first visit the Moti Bagh Palace, which is the most famous location in the city. This palace is vast and huge, and it is an architectural landmark constructed in the year 1847. The palace is so vast that even an amusement park is present in its back area.

You can also visit Qila Androon, which is a magnificent structure constructed under two very different schools of architecture. This is a highlight of all important monuments in the state of Punjab, because the sites in Punjab are all made of an architectural style that combines Mughal and Rajasthani elements.

How To Reach There

There are daily return air flights between Delhi and Amritsar, and Chandigarh and Delhi. Railway service connects Patiala with all important tourist places in Northern India. Good road network links Patiala with other destinations.

Patiala is about 100 kms from Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab. It is about 250 kms from Delhi. The nearest towns from Patiala are Rajpura (30 kms away), Zirakpur (60 kms away) and Ambala Cantt (35 kms away).

For those who reach by road can come through the national highway connecting Delhi and Amritsar. It is just 250 kms away. You can also come via Ambala Cantt which takes about 5 hours. You can also come from Chandigarh via Zirakpur and Rajpura without touching Ambala Cantt. The nearest Railway Station is Patiala Railway Station and the trains are available from major cities of India to Patiala.

Places To Visit

The Quila Mubarak Complex in Patiala is a prime attraction for the tourists. These include the complexes of the palace of Quila Androon. This is situated on the heart of the city and is surrounded by 10 acres of ground. The guest house, darbar hall, shiva temple are some of attracting features to see in the complexes. Quila Androon is also famous for its rich architecture style developed by the Mughals. All the rooms inside this are intricately decorated. Many outsiders are visiting here to have close exposure to the Mughal architecture of the complex.

The Moti Bagh Palace in Patiala is also a famous place to visit. The construction of this palace was started during the reign of Maharaja Narinder Singh and was completed during the period of Bhupinder Singh in the early 90s. The palace is now a National Institute for sports. The palace is also surrounded by beautiful garden. This palace is a regular visiting place for the tourists.

Rang Mahal and Sheesh mahal is another attraction here. These are known for its frescoes which were made under the reign of Maharaja Narender Singh. The artists from Rajasthan, Pahari and Avadhi tradition has done most of these works. The place is also known for Divan khanna or simply Darbar halls which are used as a venue for the public meetings and to address the crowd. Now this has been changed to Museum with a rich collection of royal features. The swords of Nadir Shah are preserved here along with the dagger of Guru Gobind Singh. The Jalau khana, Sarda khana, Lassi khana are also some other interesting features.

Introduction

Ludhiana is the largest city in Punjab and also one of the important town in North India with an estimate population of 1.4 million people. Ludhiana is one of the richest town in Punjab state and also the industrial capital of the state because of the largest hosiery and woolen garments industry is set up there which produces one of the fine quality textile products famous all over the world. The land used for irrigation and farming is the most fertile and expensive land all over India.

It is also a home of dozens of NRI who comes every year to invest their money in hotels and condos. Apart from industrial capital, there are many places to visit in Ludhiana like it is a home of the finest Gurdwaras and other sacred shrines. Ludhiana is a famous tourist destination and a important stopover for the tourist doing the Punjab tour. Tourist will surely like the culture and warm hospitality of the people which gives a home feel to tourist. The city holds a long history and before tourist start a trip to the place it is advisable for them to get some information about the city.

Originally known as Lodi-Ana, meaning Lodi’s Place, Ludhiana was formed during the Lodi Dynasty. Lodi chiefs, Yusaf Khan and Nihang Khan, fixed the present site of Ludhiana that was a village called Mir Hota. Nihang Khan renamed the place to Ludhiana after he stayed back at the village as the Emperor’s Lieutenant. The Fort of Ludhiana was constructed by Jalal Khan.

Considered as the “Manchester of India”, Ludhiana is a major industrial hub of Punjab and is one of the high capita income cities of India. The city largely consists of knitwear factories, hosiery yarn mills and worsted and woollen yarns. It is also the location of the Punjab Agricultural University, which is one of the largest agricultural universities in Asia.

Tourist Places

Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum
Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum is situated about 5 KM from Ludhiana Railway Station, near Hotel Amaltas and it spread over an area of 4 acres. The museum was instituted in 1990 with a motive to give tribute to the gallant soldiers and to create awareness among the people about the role of defence services and how it can strengthen Indian National integration and unity. Punjab Government is still in a process of establishing a War Museum of International standard at Ludhiana, consisting of galleries like History, War Heroes, Uniforms, Air and Navy Gallery, Signal and Medical Corps, Kargil. There is a light and sound hall in a museum which conducts regular shows highlighting the stories of brave Indian soldiers especially Punjab Soldiers.

Gurdwara Charan Kanwal Sahib (Machhiwara)
Gurdwara Charan Kamal Sahib is the important Sikh shrine having a beautiful building situated on the Charan Kamal named after this Gurdwara in the city of Machiwara. Gurdwara marks the site of the garden where the 10th Guru – Guru Gobind Singh had a sip of water from the same well which is believed to be used for watering the garden on that time and then after he took a good sleep. Anyone can reach Gurdwara easily as it is well connected by Ludhiana to Chandigarh highway at Samrala (42 Kms) and to Ropar (46 Kms) by Guru Gobind Singh marg. It is known as the place where his three devotees had joined him whose names are Dhram Singh, Daga Singh and Manu Singh.

Lodhi Fort
The fort was built by the Muslim ruler Sikander Lodhi now has gone to ruin and rack. Lodhi Fort was constructed on 16th century on the strategic location near River Sutlej which earlier used to flow near it but now has changes his direction. Due to the lack of protection and conservation by ludhianvis, the fort today is only a ruin having few structures in good condition. The residents are equally responsible as they have weakened the structure by digging up borrows to make space for construction of houses and shops. The State Conservation Department, the District Administration, and the Municipal Corporation still have been showing no interest to its conservation and protection.

It is situated in the heart of Jalandhar City. The old Devi Talab has been renovated and, in its centre, a new temple has been built. Recently a model of Amarnath Yatra has been built in the premises. An old temple of goddess Kali also stands by the side of the Devi Talab.

The famous Devi Talab Temple is situated in the heart of Jalandhar city, just 1 km from the railway station. It is believed to be more than 200 years old. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is one of the 51 Shakthi pithas in India. The image of Lord Shiva that is enshrined herein is called Bhisan Bhairav. Devi Talab Temple has been renovated recently and a number of changes have been made to the old structure.

t is situated in the heart of Jalandhar City. The old Devi Talab has been renovated and in its centre, a new temple has been built. Recently a model of Amarnath Yatra has been built in the premises. An old temple of goddess Kali also stands by the side of the Devi Talab. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and the Kali is known as Tripurmalini. Sati’s right breast fell here. Lord Shiva of this temple is called Bhishan Bhairav.

Ludhiana, the largest city of Punjab, boasts of being a popular tourist spot. It has both historical monuments as well as religious centers that attract tourists from all over the world. Ludhiana is situated on the Amritsar-Delhi Grand Trunk Road. New Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh and other major cities in Punjab are well linked with Ludhiana through road. The city lies about 305 km northwest of Delhi and is 100 km away from Chandigarh

Ludhiana is on the banks of River Sutlej. in 1481, Ludhiana used to be an insignificant village that was under Yodha, Gupta and Rajput rule for centuries. It was much later during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singhji that Ludhiana began developing. In the later years British captured and developed it as it stands today. It has 500-year old Lodhi Fort that was constructed by the Sikander Lodhi when he ruled the plains near River Sutlej.

The Museum of Rural history of Punjab is on the University campus. The museum building resemble the traditional houses of rural Punjab . A 100 yard long path, flanked on both sides by water channels, leads to the finely carved doors of the museum. There are exhibits of old bronze utensils, farming equipment etc. Open from 9 am to 1.00 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm.

Tiger Zoo is located on GT Road (Ludhiana-Jalandhar Highway) and is just 6 km away from the main city. It consists of varieties of majestic tigers moving freely in the protected jungles. The tigers are viewed from a distance and offer exciting sight. People come from far and wide to enjoy a tiger safari at the place.

Gurdwara Charan Kanwal Sahib (Machhiwara) is located on Charan Kamal Road, in the small town of Machhiwara, Gurdwara Charan Kanwal Sahib is at a distance of 35 km from Ludhiana. There are many religious connotations associated with the place the gurdwara is built on. It marks the site of the garden where Guru Gobind Singh had a sip of water and a spell of small sleep. He had rested here while fighting a guerrilla war against the massive Mughal force. This is the place where his three devotees – Dharam Singh, Daga Singh and Manu Singh joined him. A religious fair is held here every year, to commemorate the memory of the saint.

The various hotels packages in and around Ludhiana offer the best of facilities. There is a range of luxury and budget hotels in and around Ludhiana besides the star categorized accommodation hotels .