Punjab is a land where you find history, natural beauty, religion and legendary hospitality combine into one. The famous Golden Temple is often referred to as the emblem of the state. But there are more to its credit. History still has its strong imprint in the tourist attractions in Punjab. Religion adds another layer of charm to them.
The fertile lands of Punjab can bowl you over with sheer beauty. A long drive along the smooth roadways would offer you vistas of green stretches of mustard fields. With mustard flowers in full bloom, it becomes another breathtaking view.
Kurukshetra: 160 km away from Delhi along the national highway NH1, it is the battle ground between the Pandavas and the Kauravas as mentioned in the great Indian epic the Mahabharata.
This is where, Lord Krishna inculcated Arjuna, the lessons of Karma and Dharma, which took shape in the Bhagwat Gita.
Golden Temple: The world's most renowned Sikh pilgrimage is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Punjab. The edifice of gold-laden dome and the marble base enshrine the holy script of Guru Granth Sahib. It took 400kg of gold leaves to cover it. The architecture showcases an exquisite blend of Hindu and Islamic style.
Anandpur Sahib: On the left bank of Sutlej River, the historic town founded by Guru Teg Bahadur, houses a number of importamt Gurudwaras.
Guru Govind Singh created Khalsa here in 1699 at Guru dwara Keshgarh Sahib.
Jallianwallah Bagh: This is an important landmark in the history Indian Freedon Struggle. It commemorates the death of hundreds of men, women and children who were murdered by the ruthless firing by the British Police in 1919. The bullet marks are still alive on the boundary walls.
Sheesh Mahal: It is a beautiful palace built by Maharaja Narinder Singh with terraces, gardens, fountains and an artificial lake. The in-house gallery displays antique paintings, bronzes, sculptures and portraits of the Maharajas of Patiala.
Wagha Border: This is the border of India and Pakistan. In the evening, the change of guard among the Indian Border Security Forces is an enchanting spectacle.
Fairs and festivals are major tourist attractions in Punjab. The prosperous state is always in a festive mood. At the slightest excuse the cheery Punjabi folks jump into some celebration or other. Packed with fun and excitement these turn out to be a riot of colours too. Some important festivals in Punjab are: Baisakhi, Lohri etc.