The culturally rich state of Punjab is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Deriving its name from a land of five rivers, Punjab State has one of the most fertile agricultural fields in India.
Discover the amazing cities of Punjab and explore their unique attractions, culture, and experiences.
Amritsar is very well known for it's gurudwara called Golden Temple. Golden Temple is a spiritual & cultural place for Sikh religion people but every day lots of other religious people visits this place too. Amritsar has been one of the historic city of Punjab.
Below are the top tourist attractions in Amritsar that are a must to be explored when taking a trip to Amritsar:
The major attraction and the soul of the holy city is the Harmindar Sahib Gurudwara. Harminder Sahib is the reason why millions of tourists visit Amritsar every year. The Golden Temple is a holy Sikh Shrine that is a major pilgrimage for the Sikh community from around the world. The Gold decked shrine in the middle of a man-made lake is as spectacular to look at as it is spiritually enthralling. Do visit early morning and stay for as long as you can for a memorable experience here. You will gain immense spiritual delight while reveling in this marvelous place.
Wagah is at the border of India and Pakistan about 31 km from Amritsar city. This is one of the famous places in Amritsar. It is a must-visit for all patriots for a memorable and thrilling experience. Every evening a 45-minute border closing ceremony takes place here called beating the Retreat and this is one of the best ways to witness the valor and courage of our Border Security Force personal. The stadium-like seating gives a great view of the parade. You will get a vibe of patriotism and the parade by the BSF guards is enjoyed with full enthusiasm by the huge crowd. Do visit Wagah Border early to grab good seats and get a better view of the retreat ceremony. The ceremony starts 30 minutes before sunset.
This is a unique temple that is dedicated to the female saint Lal Devi who is the Goddess of fertility. Mata lal devi mandir is decorated for the Hindu Goddess and gives a fun experience with the dark alleys that least to shiny mirror laden walls and animal carvings. You can experience this and have fun too while being spiritual.
The JallianwalaBagh is a memorial garden that remembers the 1500 people that were killed or injured here during the freedom struggle. In 1919, the British soldiers had opened fire during a peaceful gathering for the freedom struggle. The place still has the bullet holes that people tried to dodge while saving their lives. The Martyrs Gallery laced here signifies the important contributions to India’s Independence. It also has an exhibition that highlights those who lost lives during the incident and also an eternal flame to remember all our freedom fighters. It is open from 6.30 am to 7.30 pm every day.
This was the Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the first emperor of the Sikh Empire. The palace has been now converted to a museum and it is surrounded by spectacular and well-kept garden grounds that are called Ram Bagh. The museum exhibits armors, arms, paintings, and manuscripts belonging to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Many paintings showcase the life and day to day experiences of the king. The entry is free of cost and the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 PM every day.
This fort was built between 1805 and 1809 by Gujjar Singh Bhangi’s army. The Gobindgarh fort was reconstructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in his reign and has been built with brick and lime. The highlights of the fort are its Darbar Hall, the PhansiGhar, and the HawaMahal. The fort has two gates, a rampart with two bastions.
Amritsar is a food lover’s paradise. There is so much to explore in the city when it comes to food. Many tourists stay back in the city just to explore all its food options. Right from its popular Kulchha, its famed Lassi, the authentic Punjabi food including the delicious Puri - Chhole and the most popular Chhole – Bhature, you will never run out of new dishes to try while you are here. You should also explore the popular street food here including the popular Punjabi chats.
Also, explore the food inside the Golden Temple including the Kada Prasad served in the sanctum and also the food served in the langar or the community kitchen, it’s delicious. Thus, if we say in just one line, to explore the places to visit in Punjab is a lifetime experience.
Explore the vibrant Punjab with our thoughtfully curated tour packages, showcasing its rich culture, historical marvels, and natural beauty.
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The culturally rich state of Punjab is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Deriving its name from a land of five rivers, Punjab State has one of the most fertile agricultural fields in India. Historical landmarks, holy shrines, vibrant culture, exquisite cuisine, surreal landscapes, grand architecture, and happy faces all around, Punjab is the perfect tourist destination for every traveller.
With a history that backs to Indus Valley Civilization, Punjab was once home to the first traces of human habitation in India more than 5000 years ago. Since then, Punjab remained a prominent part of Mauryan, Kushan, Gupta, Harsha, and Mughal empires before the British rule. The presence of fertile soil and abundance of water from five rivers make agriculture a lucrative profession in Punjab. Producing nearly two-third of the total wheat production in the country, Punjab is also known as India's breadbasket. In addition to agriculture, Punjab tourism, Punjabi food, and Punjabi music industries remain the frontiers of its economy.
With music at its centre-stage, the culture of Punjab revolves around a heritage of thousands of years. The pompous folk dance of Bhangra, the Gurmukhi script of Punjabi literature, harvest festivals of Lohri& Vaisakhi, etc. are some of the many popular facets of the Punjabi culture.
Punjab inherits its name from the five tributaries of the Indus River flowing through the region - Sutlej, Ravi, Beas, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers. These rivers are vital to the agricultural growth in Punjab. Let's learn more about the five rivers of Punjab:
The longest of the five rivers flowing through the Punjab, Sutlej River, is the easternmost tributary of the Indus River. The river originates in Tibet and enters India in Himachal Pradesh, flows through Punjab before meeting Beas River in the Firozpur district. Several large canals branch from the Sutlej River to use the water extensively for irrigation. Bhakra Dam in Punjab uses this river for irrigation and power generation.
The Ravi River originates in the Himalayas in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh and is a transboundary river of India and Pakistan. The major multipurpose project for irrigation, hydropower, fisheries, etc. on the Ravi River is Ranjit Sagar Dam at the Punjab-J&K border. Water from the Ravi River is crucial for the harvest of walnut, deodar, pine, and olive in Punjab.
Originating from the Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh, the Beas River flows through Punjab before merging with the Sutlej River. Named after the Veda Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharat, the Beas River marked the eastern border during Alexander's conquest in 326 B.C. The Beas River supports several irrigation canals for the agricultural fields in Hoshiarpur.
Chenab River originates in Himachal Pradesh from the confluence of two rivers, Chandra & Bhaga. Mentioned in Mahabharata and Atharvaveda, Chenab is a major river flowing in India and Pakistan. Punjab utilizes the Chenab River for agricultural use as well as for power generation through Salal and Pakal Dul dams.
The Jhelum River originates from the Kashmir Valley and passes through the Srinagar before entering Punjab in the Jhelum district. The Upper Jhelum Canal from Mangla Dam uses the Jhelum water for irrigation before the river heads to Pakistan.
There are several places to visit in Punjab that are most famous tourist attraction of Punjab. Let's explore these 5 most famous tourist places in Punjab one by one.
The iconic city of Amritsar is one of the top tourist places in Punjab. The spiritual centre of the Amritsar is a testimony to the heroic past of Punjab. Amritsar city is famous for its Golden Temple that attracts more tourists in India than any other destination. The thriving city of Amritsar is agriculturally productive and abuzz with tourism activities. Take a spiritual solace in its Gurudwaras, shop for colourful dresses or footwear at the narrow lanes, and indulge in the savoury cuisine. Apart from the Golden Temple, other attractive places to visit in Amritsar are the JallianwalaBagh for its forgetful massacre and closeness to the Wagah Border between India and Pakistan.
Chandigarh boasts of being the first planned city of India. A union territory being the capital city of both Haryana & Punjab, Chandigarh has the perfect blend of vintage Punjab with modernity. Chandigarh is famous for its mouth-watering street food and leisurely drives. Located at 265 km from the national capital, Chandigarh is a popular punjab tourism places for road trips during weekends. The world-famous Rock Garden designed entirely from discarded waste is a crowd puller. The 8 km-long well-maintained Leisure Valley houses Asia's most exquisite and detailed Rose Garden that calls for a breath-taking view. Boating at the Sukhna Lake amidst serene natural beauty is something that both tourists and locals enjoy.
Named after the Lodi dynasty, Ludhiana is the largest city in Punjab. A true reflection of the lifestyle of locals, Ludhiana offers you a unique experience to witness the beauty of Punjab. Situated on the banks of river Sutlej, Ludhiana is famous for its hosiery industries, gurudwaras, and ancient forts & ruins. A manufacturing hub of India, the city balances in retaining the old world charm and keeping up with the technological advancements. Apart from being an industrial hub, Ludhiana attracts a large number of tourists owing to its historical monuments, delicious food, zoo, amusement park, and many more. Key attractions of the city include the Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum, Phillaur Fort, and the peculiar Museum of Rural Life.
The historical city of Patiala is famous for Mughal, Rajput, Punjab architectural styles. Being an erstwhile princely state, Patiala is home to several architectural marvels and calls for a perfect venue to explore the core traditions and cultures of Punjab. The forth-largest city of Patiala has several attractions like Moti Bagh Palace, Sheesh Mahal, Qila Mubarak, Bahadurgarh Fort, etc. for history buffs. From headgears to footwear, from dresses to Salwars, Patiala is the best place to shop for authentic Punjabi clothing and accessories.
The city of Jalandhar flaunts the rich culture of Punjab and is one of the best places to visit in Punjab. Once a part of the historical Indus Valley Civilization, Jalandhar is a reflection of the rich Punjabi heritage. Home to several holy shrines, this city blends the commercial growth perfectly with its glorious past. The century-old Iman Nasir Mausoleum and Devi Talab Mandir are quite famous with tourists. Known for its festivals and Bhangra, Jalandhar is the top producer of leather and sports goods.
The best time to visit Punjab is probably after monsoon season from October to March as the weather is pleasant, and the landscape is lush green. During these months, the temperature in winters can drop to zero degrees creating a misty climate for a memorable trip and breath-taking views. Additionally, several cultural and religious festivals during these months call for a unique experience.
