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The verdant land of Punjab is synonymous with gleaming gurdwaras, vibrant culture, and generous hospitality. The state lies in the north-western part of India and is fondly known as the “land of five rivers.” Punjab is immensely fertile and is also ranked high among the ancient civilisations of India. Its rich cultural history, beautiful landscapes, and well-known religious sites make it one of the best tourist places in India.
Therefore, a North India tour remains incomplete without visiting the many Amritsar, Punjab tourist places. However, a robust plan is necessary to enjoy your vacation to the fullest. In this piece today, we shall discuss the ultimate guide to help you explore some of Punjab’s best tourist places with no trouble.
Read on to explore Punjab not only as you know it but also beyond that. This guide will help you become familiar with some hidden gems and the finest Punjab tourist places.
The streets of Punjab are teeming with a vast history and rich culture, and the best part is that there is no shortage of famous tourist places in Punjab. A day spent in Punjab will never be dull with magnificent monuments, landscaped gardens, and historical monuments.
The enthralling Golden Temple in Amritsar and the Devi Talab Mandir in Jalandhar are some religious sites in Punjab that you cannot afford to miss. Similarly, Jallainwala Bagh and the Wagah Border are testimonies of India’s past and quest for freedom.
Among the tourist attractions in Punjab, the historical forts of the land hold a special place. For example, Amritsar’s Gobindgarh Fort and the Phillaur Fort of Ludhiana are excellent representations of traditional European architecture.
Chandigarh is the perfect example of modern India. It is urbane, it’s cosmopolitan, and it’s comfortable. When in Punjab, you can’t miss this meticulously planned city of the country. Indeed, Chandigarh is one of the most preferred tourist attractions in Punjab. Chandigarh, a union territory, is controlled by the Central Government of India and is the joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana. The specialty of Chandigarh is that it is the first planned city of independent India and is known for its world-class architecture.
At the foothills of the Shivalik range, Chandigarh is an incredible city with greenery all around and a plethora of tourist places to explore so that travellers hardly get any chance to get bored while in Chandigarh.
Amritsar is considered the holiest pilgrimage site for people following the Sikh religion. The city is called Amritsar because of the sacred pool surrounding the Golden Temple, or Harmandir Sahib. The meaning of Amritsar is the “holy pool of nectar”. Amritsar, synonymous with the Golden Temple, is among Punjab’s top 10 tourist places.
Apart from the Golden Temple, the other major attraction in Amritsar is the Wagah Border, the border between India and Pakistan. While in Amritsar, you can witness the Wagah border ceremony on a day that suits you, as it happens every day.
Last and not least, the food in Amritsar is to die for. The quality of food that you will get from the local sellers of Amritsar is at par with some posh restaurants in the town. However, the best time to visit Amritsar is between November to March, when you can experience a pleasant climate and avoid the scorching sun and the wet monsoons.
Pro Tip: Do not forget to taste the local cuisine in Punjab. It’s an experience you will cherish for your life.
Mohali is a quaint little city located southwest of Chandigarh. It’s a melting pot of the new India and the old world charm. Mohali has a lot to offer its tourists, and you will experience the best of both worlds here.
The lush green mountains are all around, along with the IT hub. Mohali shows how growth is possible without harming the bountiful beauty of Mother Nature. Another good news for tourists is that Mohali is a shopper’s paradise. Hence, whenever you get in touch with any north India tour operators, they suggest you visit Mohali when you are in Punjab. Also, you can savour some authentic lip-smacking Punjabi delicacies as you put up in Mohali for a few days.
A trip to the fertile plains of Punjab encompasses a varied experience. Such is the beauty that you can uncover a new facet with each visit, and each of these facets is more intriguing than the other. Here is a list of activities that will make your Punjab visit joyful.
It is a celebration of martial arts, a tradition of the Sikhs. During this celebration, the holy town of Anandpur Sahib becomes a veritable fairground with showmanship, devotion, and faith. Hola Mohalla is held during the springtime after Holi. The celebration is an excellent opportunity to experience the intrinsic nature of Punjab, including large-heartedness, sincere faith, and bravery. If you love to experience an adrenaline rush, then witnessing Hola Mohalla is the perfect opportunity.
Baisakhi is celebrated in mid-April in Punjab. It is an occasion that has a dual purpose. First, it is a thanksgiving opportunity for a bountiful harvest, and second, it commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa in the 17th century. Baisakhi is the best time to experience the true Punjabi essence. You can have a look at the most joyous face of Punjab amidst colourful celebrations, music, dance, and feasting. The energy of Baisakhi is so infectious that you may even forget to visit some of the best tourist places in Punjab.
Oscar Wilde had once said, “Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets”. However, you must have a travel plan ready in mind to make that happen. Spontaneous travel stints are sometimes quite thrilling, but you may often end up in an undesirable situation if you do not have well-planned fallback options ready. Travel guides here do not mean a typical itinerary but a unique travel experience that helps you etch out fine memories with your loved ones.
To explore the tourist attractions in Punjab, getting to know a little about the place is crucial, or else you will miss out on most of your wanderlust. If you think you should get in touch with a north India tour operator to experience Punjab in its full glory, you can do so sitting right at your home. Or you can get in touch with Cleartrip for some great hotel and flight booking deals. Cleartrip offers you a plethora of options in the travel domain, and you can choose the one that suits your budget and taste.
If you want to visit places like Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Attari, having five nights at your disposal is enough. However, if you want to explore the earthiness of Punjab and experience its villages and culture, another five days would serve you well.
Travelling to Punjab is safe. The people in Punjab are warm and welcoming, so whether you are travelling solo or with your friends and family, Punjab is always a safe bait. It also has many beautiful places to explore.
The best time to visit Punjab is during the winter. The winter months are from October to March. During this time, Punjab experiences a pleasant climate. Even the days are cool enough, allowing you to move about without exhaustion.
Punjab has always been the land of great saints and fighters. The state has many places to boast about as far as tourism is concerned. For example, the Golden Temple in Amritsar is a world-famous shrine. Of the five Takhts of Sikhism, three are in Punjab.
Some famous dishes of Punjab include Sarson Da Saag, Tandoori Chicken, Shami Kebab, and Makki di Roti. All of these are lip-smacking dishes. The best part is that while Punjabi cuisine is simple, it is exotic in its own way.
