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PUNJAB
| FACTS & FIGURES |
| Rainfall |
59.2 cms |
| Clothing |
Cotton in summer
Woollen in Winter
|
|
Temperature(°C)
|
Summer- Max. 34, Min. 15
Winter- Max. 18, Min. 0. |
INTRODUCTION
The major city in the Punjab is Amritsar, the holy city of the
Sikhs. Chandigarh, a new planned city, was conceived and built in
the 1950s to serve as the capital of the new Punjab. In 1966, Punjab
underwent another split. It was divided into the predominantly Sikh
and Punjabi- speaking state of Punjab and the state of Haryana.
At the same time some of the northern parts of the Punjab were hived
off to Himachal Pradesh. Chandigarh on the border of Punjab and
Haryana, remains the capital of the two states, yet is administered
as a union territory from Delhi. Punjab, the chief wheat producing
area of the country, is the overland entry point into India. The
state is also known for its production of sports and hosiery goods.
AMRITSAR
Amritsar is home to the Religious Building important to Sikhs -
The Golden Temple. Amritsar is an institution by itself. And the
Golden Temple is the cradle of Amritsar with the city growing around
it nurtured by its divine sanctity. Amritsar is one of the most
sacred sikh religious sites in India.
TOURISTS ATTRACTION - THE GOLDEN TEMPLE
 The
Golden Temple in Amritsar is the most exalted of all Sikh shrines,
drawing pilgrims from near and far fore centuries. The temple's
story began some four centuries ago when the third Sikh Guru Amar
Das asked Guru Ram Das (who succeeded him) to build a central place
for the congregation of the Sikhs. Guru Arjan Dev completed the
work started by Guru Ram Das in the 16th century. The gurdwara has
four entrance doors, called deoris, in all four directions-symbolic
of the new faith that made no distinction between caste and creed.
People could enter and bow in any direction they preferred.
As one descends into the temple (unlike most temples, here one
actually descends as the structure is built below the level of the
surrounding area), one is confronted by the stunningly beautiful
sanctum sanctorum glimmering in the water of the holy tank that
is flanked on all four sides by spotlessly clean marble walkways
and pavements
PLACES AROUND AMRITSAR
Within an hour's drive from Amritsar are several Sikh religious
sites to visit. Several historical Gurdwaras like Baba Bakala, Goindwal
Sahib, Tarn Taran, and Baba Sahib, attract the devout. The drive
takes one through the heart of rural Punjab with lush green paddy
fields, tiny villages, and robust farmers.
The Amritsar that greets visitors today is a bustling, busy city
with a distinct 'frontier' atmosphere, nestling as it does within
breathing distance of the Indo-Pakistan border. A popular outing
is to the Wagah checkpost on the Indo-Pakistan border where crowds
throng to see the change of guards ceremony and the flag hoisting
and lowering, all done with great skill and precision.
HOW TO REACH
The ever-improving infrastructure in the city is making it easier
for visitors to reach it from different parts of the country.
BY AIR - The Rajasansi airport at Amritsar is well linked
by flights from all over India. Recently, it was elevated to an
international airport.
BY RAIL - There are direct links from Delhi to Amritsar
by train. It is an 8-10-hour journey.
BY ROAD - Buses also ply regularly between the two cities.
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