Pathankot Tourism And Travel Guide

Pathankot was formed out of the formerly vast Gurdaspur region in 2011, acting as the district headquarters for the area. The town has lush greenery and beautiful water bodies spread across its expanse and providing its significant status as a naturally beautiful region. Some of the magnificent natural phenomena that prevail over Pathankot's extent include the snow-clad Himalayas, the captivating Shivalik Mountain Ranges, and the splendid River Ravi.

The strategically significant positioning of this tranquil town on the map of India means that famous military camps are situated within proximity. Pathankot can woo tourists in several ways, whether it may be through its majestic fortresses or its lush green temple complexes. Let us walk through this travel guide to understand how tourism prospects grow across Pathankot every year.

By Air:

Pathankot Airport is the nearest airport to the city of Pathankot, situated around 3 km away. However, tourists coming into Pathankot via airways need to make use of commercially available airports such as Jammu Airport and Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport. These airports cater to several flights coming in from commercial hubs such as Kuala Lumpur, Doha, Birmingham, Dubai, Ashgabat, and Tashkent.

By Rail:

Pathankot Junction Railway Station lies nearest to Pathankot's central area, located around 1 km away from town. Some of the prime metropolitans that enjoy excellent connectivity to Pathankot via railways include Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bathinda, and Jammu. Apart from the rail route, another railway station that connects to Pathankot includes Chakki Bank Railway Station, which is situated around 1 km away from the city center.

By Road:

Pathankot is blessed with a decent tracery of roadways that has local state-run buses covering the whole town's expanse regularly. The city enjoys excellent connectivity to tourist destinations through the Maharana Pratap Inter State Bus Terminal. Several mainstream bus operators such as Haryana Roadways, J&K Transport, Punjab Roadways, and Himachal Roadways.

Pathankot experiences pleasant and comfortable weather throughout the year, offering visitors with conditions suited to tourism prospects. For providing a more conducive tourism environment, the delightful winter season of Pathankot proves the numero uno for welcoming tourists. Let us look at how the different seasons lure visitors from all over the globe.

Summer (March to May):

Pathankot's summer season experiences sultry weather with temperatures alternating between 21°C to 42°C. Tourists who prefer the dry conditions of summer can still pay a visit to Pathankot at this time of the year to partake in the celebrations of Holi and Lohri. Summer season is an apt season for visitors to try out adventurous activities such as trekking across Pathankot's expanse.

Monsoon (June to September):

Pathankot's monsoon season witnesses heavy precipitation throughout its course, with the amount of rainfall, received sometimes reaching the staggering heights of about 195 mm. The weather around town turns humid, but the refreshing vegetation that springs up around the vicinity creates a stimulating environment. With the weather continually hovering between 20°C and 32°C, tourists would find the winter season a comfortable time to explore tourist spots.

Winter (October to February):

Pathankot's winter season is the best time of the year to explore the delightful tourism destinations of the city. The pleasing and cold climate attracts many visitors towards town, with temperatures ranging between 5°C and 25°C. Tourists who decide to venture into Pathankot during the winter season would have the opportunity to partake in the merriment of festivals like Sankranti and Baisakhi.

Land of Umpteen Shrines:

Owing to the rich blend of Mughal and Rajput cultures that have prevailed in Pathankot over the centuries, the city is blessed with several religious shrines. Some of these sacred houses include Laxmi Narayan Mandir, Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple, Ashapurni Mandir, Kali Mata Ka Mandir, Kathgarh Temple, and Nagni Mata Temple. These rejuvenating shrines boast of intricate carvings around their temple complexes along with grandeur deities of the gods and goddesses.

Resplendent Forts:

Pathankot has sublime fortresses such as Shahpurkandi Fort and Nurpur Fort spread across its vast expanse. Some of these castles were constructed more than 500 years ago and witnessed the exchange of authority over the fort at different times. The brilliant architecture of the fortifications of Pathankot, coupled with the splendid greenery that prevails in the surrounding areas, helps lure tourists from all over the world.

Exciting Outdoor Activities:

The lush vegetation that thrives around the landscapes of Pathankot provides tourists with an apt setting to partake in outdoor events. Visitors can pick and choose between interesting options like birdwatching, fishing, and waterskiing around the Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir. Apart from these activities, the region surrounding the Kareri Lake also forms a perfect haven for trekking fanatics to fulfill their adventurous desires.

Tourists who step into Pathankot must feast on some of the typical items present on the North Indian food menu. The Punjabi food variants that are popular across Pathankot include Muttar Paneer, Mutton Curry, Dal Tarka, and Mutton Tikka. A trip to Pathankot would remain incomplete without tasting the famous Chhole Batura or Channa Batura. Vegetarian visitors can satiate their hunger pangs by relishing dishes such as Dal Makhani and the outstanding Sarson Da Saag and Makai ki Roti. The spicy and savory non-vegetarian dishes of Pathankot, such as its varieties of Mutton Curry, are a highlight of their cooking prowess. Tourists can also tease their sweet taste buds with other items like Gulab Jamun, Lassi, Jalebi, Barfi, Palang-tod, and Kheer.

Tourists making their way into Pathankot can choose whether they want to shop from the modern malls of the city or resort to age-old street shopping across town. The contemporary side of the city is blessed with several state-of-the-art shopping centers such as Novelty Mall, City Center Mall, and G. K. Plaza. Several global brands set up their stores inside these malls, offering apparel, footwear, and household appliances in abundance. The plazas around Gandhi Chowk present tourists with an opportunity to take home exciting Indian as well as Western clothing. Visitors who prefer the useful old street market shopping techniques can venture into Sujanpur Market for beautiful clothing and appliances. A trip to Pathankot would remain etched in the minds of tourists who can take back with them some authentic wooden furniture or intricately designed pashmina shawls.