Tourist Places To Visit In Ludhiana

Ludhiana is a substantial industrial hub that adorns the northern hemisphere of the country of India. The city received its name from the Lodhi empire that prevailed during the yesteryears of the 15th century. Some of the incredible architectural structures that grace the extent of Ludhiana include state-of-the-art gurdwaras, remarkable stadiums, great sacred shrines, and majestic forts. Tourists can pick and choose between any of these beautiful tourist places when on their tour of the city. While forts provide intriguing historical remnants, the sacred complexes offer visitors with a sense of stability and a feeling of tranquility. Let us check out the different tourist places to visit when in Ludhiana.

Gurudwara Nanaksar Sahib, also known as Nanaksar Thaat, is situated within the Thakarwal village approximately 8 km away from Ludhiana's central hub. This village is believed to have formed an abode for Shri Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh Guru, during his days of propagation of the holy words. The Guru also paid a visit to Gurdwara Gau Ghat Sahib in those days. Guru Nanak Ji and his followers,  Bhai Bala and Bhai Mardana spent time at Thakarwal for 3 to 4 days. Tourists who visit Ludhiana in August can witness the vibrant festivities that take place in fond reminiscence of Baba Nand Singhji. Built in 1975, Gurudwara Nanaksar Sahib can be reached with the help of transport facilities such as taxis or buses.

Sikander Lodhi, the distinguished Muslim monarch of yore, was instrumental in raising the majestic Lodhi Fort during the 15th century. This monument is a beautiful specimen of the magnificent architectural prowess of the Mughal regime. Popular among the local inhabitants as Old Fort or Purana Qila, Lodhi Fort served as an essential entry point to the Mughal empire around 500 years ago. Adorning the rims of River Satluj, this fortress formed a military citadel that the Mughals used to keep an eye out for invaders and bring their invasion attempts to a halt. The splendid countryside that prevails around Lodhi Fort offers tourists with a perfect picnic spot where they can spend time amidst beautiful river waters and other landscapes.

With flourishing sceneries and a toy train, Rakh Bagh Park is a popular all over Ludhiana for its well-nurtured greenery. Built during the British reign, the park has been converted into a beautiful recreation spot for children thanks to its toy train. A track meant for jogging and strolling along encompasses the park. Even bicycle riders have ample space around the park to ride together. The local authorities have also stationed a few exercising machines within the children's play zone. Those visitors who wish to learn swimming can also dive into the beautiful swimming pool that the park has to offer. The abundant vegetation around the park's premises and the pleasant atmosphere make Rakh Bagh Park a perfect tourist site.

Atta Samarkpak Mandir is a sacred temple vicinity situated in the Doraha area of Ludhiana. This age-old shrine lures travelers who love to discover symbols of cultural heritage as well as ardent devotees. Atta Samarkpak Mandir has been built under excellent architectural surveillance. The tranquility and refreshing aura that surrounds the temple complex is infectious. Thousands of pilgrims attend the pujas and aartis conducted by the caretakers regularly. Atta Samarkpak Mandir enjoys excellent connectivity to the traveling routes into the city. While the airport is nestled about 16 km away, the closest railway station is also within proximity.

Guru Nanak Bhawan is a splendid complex with multifaceted purposes. This enormous compound comprises a mini auditorium and a big auditorium, which hosts several events. The smaller concert hall can accommodate around 200 people, while the more prominent concert hall is capable of accommodating 900 people. Apart from these concert halls, Guru Nanak Bhawan also houses a library and a shopping arcade. The library at this complex is believed to form a significant source of knowledge in the field of Literature. Tourists or locals who visit the complex can enjoy a leisurely read through their books under fully air-conditioned premises.

Gurdwara Charankanwal Sahib Machhiwara is a revered holy shrine situated approximately 35 km away from the area named Macchiwara. The tranquil surroundings and the remarkable architectural work of the gurdwara lure in devotees as well as tourists in large numbers. Annually, the authorities at the shrine organize a congregation that fair to mark the time spent by Guruji at Macchiwara. Gurdwara Charankanwal Sahib Machhiwara holds significant status within the history books of Sikhism as it formed a hideout for Guru Gobind Singh when Aurangzeb's military forces attacked the Macchiwara region. The Jand tree under which Guru Gobind Singh enumerated "Mitar Pyare nu" has still been preserved outside the shrine.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum was built in 1999 as a mark of respect for the valiant efforts of the soldiers who fought in several wars in Punjab. Spanning approximately 4 acres of land on the Grand Trunk Road, this museum educates tourists as well as locals about the significant role a soldier plays in defense of his homeland. The highlight of the gallery is a large figurine of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh that is royally placed at the entry gate. Comprising over 12 art galleries, Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum depicts intriguing artifacts and remnants from Indian history and infamous wars such as the Kargil War. The light and sound show held at the museum every day at dusk highlights how the soldiers fought for the safety of their motherland.

Initially constructed by Maharaja Amar Singh of Patiala, Payal Fort has stood the test of time and holds its ground even after 800 years. Situated within the Payal district of Ludhiana, this fortress exchanged hands between the Mughal regime and Maharani Sahib Kaur during the 17th century. The splendid architecture of Payal Fort has even attracted many filmmakers towards its vicinity. One such example is the movie, Rang De Basanti, which used the Sarai of Payal Fort for picturizing different events of the film. It is only befitting that the Sarai Lashkari Khan is also famous as the Rang De Basanti (RDB) Fort. The internal architecture of Payal Fort steals the show thanks to its remarkable design of Minakari tincture.

Guru Nanak Stadium of Ludhiana is a state-of-the-art football stadium that also hosts significant athletics events in its vicinity. The ground has the distinctive status of playing host to the opening and closing events of the Indian National Games of 2001. Capable of accommodating 15,000 spectators, the Guru Nanak Stadium also hosts the football matches played by the JCT FC club. The ground's architecture comprises a two-lane track for warm-ups in addition to the eight-lane advanced synthetic tracks. These features of Guru Nanak Stadium have helped it host international as well as domestic sporting events. For those traveling to the stadium, it lies within proximity of the Interstate Bus Terminal and the Chaura Bazaar at Gandhi Nagar.

Gurudwara Shri Manji Sahib is believed to be one of the most sacred shrines in the whole of Ludhiana. Nestled within Alamgir village, this gurdwara also garners the name, Alamgir Sahib. A pre-eminent feature of this shrine is the Manji that has been maintained in the underground gurdwara. This palanquin lifted the Guru to his right and is stored safely in the Bhora Sahib. In the 17th century, Guru Gobind Singh was believed to have set a woman suffering from leprosy free of her disease thanks to the miraculous water that he generated out a spring. The local authorities even organize langars every day, forming a community gathering that feeds hundreds of visitors free of cost.