Best travel experiences in Punjab

The fertile plains of Punjab encompass dramatically varied travel experiences. Swaying green and gold fields contrast with vibrant towns and cities dotted with gleaming gurudwaras that stand proudly in this cradle of Sikh culture and religion. Imposing forts are a testament to the state’s location on the crossroads of history while lavish palaces speak of the opulence of the princely states. Each visit here uncovers a new facet.

History

The rise of the Sikh faith and the powerful Sikh empire that grew under Maharaja Ranjit Singh became the defining features of Punjab in recent centuries. The Mughal-era tombs and sarais along the historic Grand Trunk Road (through which invaders, conquerors and travellers traversed the state) hark back to an earlier era. Several princely states flourished in Punjab before Independence. It is home to some of the country’s oldest cities such as Jalandhar and Bathinda and its most planned one, Chandigarh, which is its shared capital with Haryana. Five rivers that once flowed through the state before it was divided gave rise to its name (‘Panj’ meaning five and ‘ab’ meaning water). Punjab proudly holds the title of the country’s breadbasket.

Holy Grail

The iconic gold-gilded Golden Temple in Amritsar is the most visited place in the world as per the London Book of World Records. Besides Sikh devotees, people from all faiths come here. There are also many other grand gurudwaras in the state that mark significant events in the life of the ten Sikh gurus and attract a constant stream of pilgrims. The holy city of Anandpur Sahib is dotted with gurudwaras and the town of Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district is significant for the first Sikh guru who founded the faith.

Food

Punjab’s rich, hearty and incredibly satisfying cuisine is one of the top attractions of the state. In the land of ghee and butter, food is king. Authentic Punjabi food awaits you at every street corner and is best relished at little roadside stalls and dhabas often tucked away in narrow lanes of old bazaars. While aloo paranthas and chhole bhature may have made their way across the country, it is only in Punjab that you will get the genuine taste and flavour. Across the cities there are many options from hearty street food to mid-level multi-cuisine restaurants to fine dining experiences. For the taste of real Punjab, its heritage cuisine with its seasonal offerings is hard to beat. The wide variety includes makki ki roti and sarson ka saag, atta chicken, Amritsari fish, gheesoaked paranthas, Amritsari kulcha. Sweet treats like the dhodha and the creamy lassi.

Shopping

The local handicrafts reflect the colour and vibrancy of the state. A visit to Punjab is considered incomplete without picking up its trademark traditional embroidery called phulkari. Other inclusions on a shopping list are the embroidered and embellished juttis, and the wood inlay work from the northern city of Hoshiarpur. The state is also a good place to pick up woollen shawls, hand-knotted carpets and textiles.

People

The people of Punjab are known for their tremendous zest for life and nothing symbolises this better than the bhangra, a vigorous foot-stomping dance that sets the joyful tone at every wedding and festival. Monuments and memorials pay tribute to the state's proud martial tradition. Crowds flock to watch the border ceremonies held along the Indo-Pak border at Attari and Hussainiwala. The extraordinary quality that you encounter most in Punjab is the incredible large-hearted hospitality of its people, who open their doors easily to visitors.

You might also like: Greeting the old way for new times Pantone panorama: colour-coded travel from around the world Exploring the Marais neighbourhood in Paris - a hidden beauty

India Homepage: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/en-in