Punjab Tourism And Travel Guide

Punjab is a North-Indian state blessed with fertile soil thanks to the irrigation caused by rivers such as the Ravi, the Beas, and the Sutlej. This fertile land forms a significant source of agricultural products such as rice and wheat for the rest of the country. Some of the highlights of this cultural hub include its age-old forts, welcoming religious shrines, and the happy-go-lucky Sikh fraternity. Tourists who visit Punjab must make it a point to head to the flawless Golden Temple, patriotic Wagah Border, sculpture-laden Rock Garden, or Rural Sports Festival at Kila Raipur. With such a unique assortment of tourist spots, Punjab attracts visitors from all over the world. Let us walk through this travel guide to look at how Punjab allures tourism prospects.

By Air:
Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport is the prime airport in Punjab with connections to domestic as well as international metropolitans. Apart from this airport, the airports at Ludhiana and Chandigarh also have flights plying in and out of Punjab regularly. Leading airlines such as Kingfisher Red, Turkmenistan Airlines, Uzbekistan Airlines, and Air India operate along this route.

By Rail:

The major railway stations in Punjab are located in the cities of Ludhiana, Amritsar, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, and Chandigarh. Tourists can get onboard express trains such as Moga Shatabdi, Punjab Mail, Shan-e-Punjab, Amritsar Shatabdi, and Golden Temple Mail to make their way into Punjab. Punjab's extensive tracery of railway forms a cheaper mode of transport for budget travelers.

By Road:

NH1 and Grand Trunk Road form two of the most significant road routes into Punjab's territory. Tourists who wish to ride through splendid sceneries prefer traveling into Punjab atop their motorbikes, even if it involves covering rugged ghat bends. Punjab enjoys perfect connectivity to states such as Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Rajasthan.

Punjab witnesses three prime seasons across its expanse: winter, monsoon, and summer. The best time to explore the vibrant tourist hotspots of the state is during winter. The pleasant and temperate weather of this season proves apt for ardent tourists.

Summer (March to May):

Punjab witnesses arid and sultry weather during the summer season, with temperatures usually hovering between 29°C and 45°C. The scorching heat of summer makes it an offseason concerning tourism prospects. However, this is a perfect time to partake in the festivities of the Baisakhi festival.

Monsoon (June to September):

Punjab's monsoon season forms a sigh of relief for the locals and tourists who wish to avoid the summer heat. The weather usually stays humid and moist during this season, and lush vegetation appears all around town. Tourists who visit Punjab during monsoon can catch a glimpse of the religious fervor of the Teeyan festival.

Winter (October to February):

Punjab's winter season experiences cold and relaxing weather, with temperatures usually ranging between 0°C and 26°C. The refreshing climate allows tourists to visit the bustling tourist spots of Punjab and relish the festive fever of the state with ease. A trip to Punjab would be incomplete without experiencing the colorful celebrations of the winter festivals such as Lohri, Hola Mohalla, and Basant Panchami.

Blessings at Golden Temple:

The Golden Temple glitters, thanks to the beautiful marble and gold used to construct its royal frame. Some of the highlights of this shrine include the unique Guru-Ka-Langar, sumptuous prasad, and the constant proclamation of praises to the Guru. Hundreds of devout pilgrims make their way to the Golden Temple daily for either holistic or tourism purposes.

Relive Historical Events:

Punjab is blessed with several historically significant sites, such as the Jallianwala Bagh, the Wagah Border, or the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum. While the Jallianwala Bagh commemorates the atrocities faced by brave freedom fighters, the Wagah Border is a symbol of the great divide between India and Pakistan. On the other hand, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum provides a sneak peek into the life and times of the brave Sikh warrior and his freedom struggles.

Vibrant Cultural Fervor:

Punjab attracts tourists from all over the globe thanks to its rich blend of customs and traditions and the lively social festivities followed by its locals. Some of the must-experience festivals here include Lohri, Baisakhi, Basant Panchami, Shaheedi Jor Mela, Teeyan, and Hola Mohalla. Tourists can also watch or partake in cultural dance forms like Jhumar, Giddha, and Bhangra to get acquainted with the friendly locals of Punjab.

Owing to the prosperity of the state of Punjab, its food items boast of a vibrant blend of desi ghee and delicious flavors. It is a serene experience to gorge on some simple langar food at any gurudwara in town, which comprises dal, a few naans, and tasty prasad. A trip to Punjab would be half-done if tourists weren't able to feast on the national food of Punjab, the Butter Chicken. Another feisty Punjabi food item is the delicious Chole Bhature, which consists of mouth-watering Amritsari chole and sumptuous bhatures with vinegar onions and pickle, served on roadside stalls. Other signature Punjabi delicacies include Paneer Tikka, Dal Makhani, Stuffed Aloo Parantha or Plain Parantha, and Rajma Chawal. Tourists will relish the taste of sumptuous food items such as Sarson da Saag and Makke di Roti in the winter months, as these dishes are made with ingredients that provide natural warmth to the body.

The rich cultural heritage of Punjab comes to the fore when tourists come across its wide array of handloom artifacts and handicrafts. Some of the customary items on this shopping list include Punjabi durries, jutties, parandis, and shawls. One such rich craft form of Punjab is Phulkaris, which adorns clothes such as sarees, shawls, and dupattas with beautiful embroidery. On the other hand, Bagh is a craft form that covers the whole length of a dress with embroidery and is used for prime events such as marriage. Punjabi shawls are must-take-home souvenirs, what with their intricate designed varieties such as beaded pashmina, kulu shawls, cash million shawls, jacquard shawls, and embroidered pashmina.