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North India - Punjab
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Fast Facts |
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Area: 50,362 sq km
Population: 24.3 million
Capital: Chandigarh
Climate:
Summer
(March to June) - Warm
Monsoon
(July to August) - Warm
Winter
(November to February) -
Cool and Pleasant
Clothing:
Summer - Cottons
Winter - Cottons or light Woollens
Languages spoken
Punjabi
Best Time to visit
October to March |
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Punjab, the chief wheat producing area of the country, and predominantly
an agricultural state, is the overland entry point into India. The
state is also known for its production of sports and hosiery goods.
India's (and the world's) biggest bicycle manufacturer, Hero Bicycles,
is in Ludhiana.
Prior to partition Punjab extended across both sides of what is now
the India-Pakistan border. In 1966, Punjab underwent another split.
It was divided into the predominantly Sikh and Punjabi-speaking state
of Punjab and Hindi-speaking state of Haryana. At the same time some
of the northern parts of the Punjab were hived off to Himachal Pradesh.
Punjab was the part of India that suffered the most destruction and
damage at the time of partition, yet today it is far and away the
most affluent state in India, the result of sheer hard work.
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Cities: |
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Chandigarh
Punjab shares its' capital with Haryana. Chandigarh is the only Indian
city to have been designed and planned by a single architect - Le
Corbusier. The city, surrounded by the Shiwalik Hills that hem the
great Himalayas, is a model of wide roads and spacious residential
colonies. Visit Sukhna Lake, Pinjore Gardens, the Rose Garden and
the Rock Garden, where the city's discarded junk has been recycled
into bizarre human and animal sculptures. Chandigarh is a good base
to travel northwards to the hill resorts of Shimla Kulu, Manali, Dharmashala
and Dalhousie.
Amritsar
Home of the Sikhs holiest shrine, the beautiful Golden Temple (so
called because the dome is covered with gold leaf), Amritsar is the
holy city of the Sikhs. The temple houses the Guru Granth Sahib, the
Holy Book of the Sikhs. The Community Kitchen feeds 10,000 pilgrims
daily, on a voluntary and complementary basis. The historic Jallianwala
Bagh is where the British General Dyer's bullets killed scores of
innocent Indians.
Ludhiana
Ludhiana is another prominent industrial city of Punjab known for
its hosiery and woollen garments sold in prestigious stores all over
the world.
Jalandhar
The modern industrial city of Jalandhar is famous for its sportsmen
as well as its' sports goods industry. The monuments of interest here
include the 800-year old Imam Nasir's Mausoleum, 200-year old Devi
Talab (a tank) and 400-year old Juma Masjid. Another tourist attraction
is the Shiva Mandir dating back to the Lodhi era.
Patiala
The capital of the erstwhile princely state of Patiala, the city is
said to have been founded in 1756 by Baba Ala Singh. It has magnificent
forts, palaces and gardens. The Quilla Mubarak, the nucleus of Patiala,
houses impressive armoury and chandeliers. The Moti Bagh Palace, built
in 19th century, is patterned after the famous Shalipaar Gardens of
Lahore. It now houses the National Institute of Sports and the Art
Gallery. Near Patiala is the Beer Moti Bagh sanctuary where neelgai,
black buck and wild boar can be spotted. |
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