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Archive for the ‘Ludhiana’ 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.

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.

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 .

This Gurudwara stands at a place where Guru Gobind Singh stayed for a few days after covering journey full of hazards, because of the presence of Mughal military contingents in the area. On reaching Alamgir 11 km from Ludhiana and not finding any drinking water, the Guru shot an arrow into the ground where appeared a spring. This spring has been converted into a tank known as ‘Tirsar’ (arrow lake).

Nearby stands the magnificent six-storied Gurudwara Manji Sahib. Here a devoted Sikh presented a horse to Guru Gobind Singh. Thenceforth he discarded traveling in a Palki (palanquin). He also gave a very affectionate send off to Nabi Khan and Ghani Khan by bestowing a Hukamnama by which their services were appreciated. This Gurdwara is situated only a few kilometers away from the industrial town of Ludhiana popularly known as Manchester of India. Pilgrims and tourists can get suitable accommodation in private hotels and tourist bungalows of the Punjab Government at reasonable rates.

Gurdwara Alamgir is situated only 11 kilometers south of Ludhiana along the Ludhiana-Malerkotla highway in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh ji who had spent a few days to refresh himself of the tedium of an unrelenting fight against the Machiavellian enemy. The Guru had arrived here in the robes of Pir of Uchch. Bhai Daya Singh, Dharam Singh and Man Singh and two Afgan brothers Ghani Khan and Nabi Khan carried him in a palanquin. The Guru discarded the palanquin at Alamgir and took a horse, which was presented, to him by Bhai Naudha, a resident of Alamgir. Gurdwara Manji Sahib was later constructed where the Guru had stayed. The shrine is now called Gurdwara Manji Sahib Alamgir, which is the most frequently visited Gurdwaras in Ludhiana district.

Gurudwara Manji Sahib in Ludhiana’s Alamgir village reflects yet another landmark in the life of the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. The Mughal Army pursued the Guru and it was at this Gurudwara that he paused and rested, and blessed it with his presence. During Guru Gobind Singh’s time, the Mughals under Emperor Aurangzeb were regaining their ascendancy. Following the battle in Anandpur Sahib, the Guru abandoned the fort and came to Macchiwara, where his family was put to death.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum : The museum was founded in the year 1990.The reason behind its construction was to aware nation about the defence services, not only for its role in defending the country but also in strengthening the bonds of national integration and unity. The museum is still under construction.However, it conducts regular shows in a light and sound hall. These presentations showcase the stories of Indian heroes especially Punjabi soldiers in upholding the dignity of the motherland.

Lodhi Fort : The fort was constructed by Muslim ruler Sikander Lodhi over 500-years before.This old Lodhi fort was placed on a strategic location along the banks of Sutlej in city.This old fort has gone to rack & ruin but due to contribution of the officials and the city residents, the fort still survives.The old fort earlier stood as a strong citadel,and holds position of a military fort.It has even withstood large number of invaders but now it has crumbled under the onslaught elements in last five centuries.

Nehru Rose Garden : Nehru Rose Garden is the largest rose gardebn in India .It was established in the year 1967.Owing to its greenery, it is regarded as one of the ideal spot for picnic.The garden extends to an area of 27 acres. The place exhibits nearly 17,000 plants representing some 1,600 varieties of roses as well as several fountains. The museum also displays a musical fountainwhich further add to ita beauty.

Punjab Agricultural University Museum : The Punjab Agriculture University was founded in the year 1962.This world renowned museum is located on the outskirts of the city. It is modelled after the Land Grant College of America. The university encompasses a rural museum which displays local arts and crafts and objects belonging to the ancient times.The University also organizes a Kisan Mela every year.

Bhir : Bhir displays the famous mosque built by Mohammad Ghori in the year 1911.The mosque was constructed by 150 years old Khangah of Abdul Rehman Khan, mausoleum of Alawal Khan.He built this mosque during Shah Jahan’s regime.The mosque is octagonal in shape.Ludhiana dates back to Emperor Jehangir’s time.It surmounts the tomb of Bahadur Khan with sloping walls.The dome is double pear shaped.It also surmounts double tomb of Husain Khan, Bilwanwali Masjid, mosque of Kamal-ud-din Khan.The main way exhibits Sarai Doraha.

Hardy’s World : Hardy’s world is located at 7 Kms from the main city.This is visually stunning amusement park in the city.It offers a complete fun-package for the tourists.The place is most suitable for theme parties, cafes.The joy rides and shopping complex are the main entertainment bonanza for all age groups.

Ludhiana is located on the Grand Trunk Road from Delhi to Amritsar. Ludhiana is renowned all over the world for its hosiery goods. From Moscow to Montreal, shopping malls retail both cotton and woollen products from Ludhiana. It can be visited either for bulk hosiery shopping or making it a base for the Rural Olympics held in Killa Raipur nearby. Ludhiana is a part of the Ludhiana-Moga-Ferozepur-Bhatinda-Malout-Muktsar-Faridkot tourist circuit in Punjab.

Time To Visit

Ludhiana experiences very hot summers and mild winters. Winter set in November,when the city experiences very cold climate during the night.The best time to visit Ludhiana is from February to mid April.The monsoon visits this city around July and extends up to the beginning of September.