For centuries, the sikh warriors have provided the fighting force for armies of the great kings of India, British Raj and now the people of United India.Through sheer hard work, the men and women of Punjab have turned this into one the greenest states in India. Universally famous for their deligence, they have done much to contribute to the welfare of India.
The first impression of Punjab one gets is that of a land pulsating with prosperity. The plains of Punjab, with their fertile soil and abundant water supply, are naturally suited to be the breadbasket for India. The land of Punjab is a land of exciting culture, myriad images of swaying emerald green fields and hearty people whose robust rustic ways of camaraderie and bonhomie are very much a part of their heritage.
The state has achieved tremendous growth over the years due to the success of the Green Revolution in the early 70s. For a major period in the second half of the 20th century, Punjab led the other states in India to achieve self-sufficiency in crop production. The other major reason for the prosperity of the state are the great number of people who left their home for the countries in Europe and North America and, after long struggles, achieved successes there.
History of Punjab
Punjab was the first place on the Indian subcontinent where the Aryans actually decided to settle after a long period of grazing and fighting with the aboriginal communities. This was the place where later parts of the Rgveda and other Vedas were written. This was also the place where first war for the control of entire north India or Aryawart (as it was known in those days) was fought between the Aryans and non-Aryans, known as Dasragya War (war of 10 kings).
Punjab always had a strategic importance due to its position on the famous Grand Trunk Road that connected the eastern parts of India to the extreme northwest point of Taxila (now in Afghanistan). This road was first constructed by Ashoka to have a better administration of the northwestern frontier, which was always a problem. After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, the Indo Greeks, Guptas, and Vardhans ruled this region in succession. After the coming of Muslims in the 9th-10th century AD, the region became an integral part of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. It was also under the Maratha rule for some time.After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the most prominent ruler in this land was Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century. After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikhs could not hold on to their territory for long and the British controlled most of the region either directly or through the princely states.
Gurudwaras in Punjab
Har Mandir Sahib or Golden Temple
Amritsar City. With a part of the land granted by Emperor Akbar, the foundation stone laid by a Muslim Sufi Saint, Mian Mir, the construction was completed in 1601. Free kitchen and recitation of the divine word never cease here. Its four gates invite everyone from all directions, the scripture is unique, it contain the divine message as received by saints, bhagats and pirs of all the faiths of India.
The Baisakhi and Diwali fairs in April and October every year are celebrated with great fervor and gusto.
On the fair of Baisakhi all the jewelry in the toshakhana (treasury) of the temple, which consist of indescribable ornaments, is displayed around Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Diwali of Amritsar is out-of-the-world. The entire Golden Temple is illuminated with traditional lamps of different colours. The reflection of the temple in the shimmering water of the holy pool binds the eye, to the many-a-splendoured pageant. Fire works display by the traditional professionals recreates the glory of the times gone past.
Goindwal Sahib
Within easy reach of Tarn Taran was the centre of Sikh religion during the time of the third Prophet, Guru Amar Das ji. The deep well (bauli) in the Gurudwara has 84 steps. Whoever takes a bath here and recites Japji Sahib (divine composition of the first Prophet of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji ) at each step, and repeats the recitation followed by bath in the Holy Well 84 times, attains moksh, because he lives out 84,000 cycles of birth representing each specie created by God.
Khadur Sahib : 52 Kms from Amritsar. Commemorates the seat of Sikh religion during the time of the second Prophet, Guru Angad Dev Ji.
Baba Bakala:
45 Kms from Amritsar. The 9th Prophet Guru Teg Bahadur had revealed himself to Makhan Shah Lubana, a Sikh devotee here. A fair is held here on the occasion of Rakhsha Bandhan.
Dera Baba Nanak
(35 Kms west of Gurdaspur) Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent last 12 years of his life here. Clothes he wore at Mecca are preserved here. A fair called the Maghi fair is held here every January.
Gurudwara Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodi
This is the Gurudwara built at the place where the first prophet Guru Nanak got enlightenment and created Sukhmani Sahib while taking bath in the river Kali Bein.From Sultanpur lodi only the Guru Nanak started his famous journeys. Sultanpur Lodi in Kapurthala district is easily accessible from Jalandhar and Amritsar via Taran Taran and Goindwal Sahib. One can plan his visit from both Amritsar( around 60 km away) and
Jalandhar(36 km away).
Gurudwaras at Kiratpur Sahib (90 Kms from Chandigarh)
Kiratpur was established in 1627 by the 6th Prophet, Sri Guru Hargobind Ji. The place is associated with the memory of a Muslim Saint, Pir Buddan Shah who was gifted with a very long life.
Gurudwara Charan Kamal
commemorates the spot where the Pir had met the Ist Prophet of Sikhism, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. His mausoleum is located on a hill nereby. He died after the 6thProphet had established Kiratpur.
Gurudwara Shish Mahal Sahib
The 6th Prophet had established his residence here. The 7th Prophet Sri Guru Har Rai Ji and the 8th Prophet Sri Guru Harkrishan Ji were born here.
Gurudwara Damadama Sahib
The 6th Prophet used to deliver divine sermons here.
Gurudwara Sri Takhat Sahib
The 6th and the 7th Prophets were proclaimed Gurus at this spot according to the Sikh tradition and rites.
Gurudwara Harmandir Sahib
The 6th Prophet had laid a herbal and flower garden here. Mohsin Fani, the famous scholar of Religions of his times and the Mughal Prince, Dara Shikoh had met Sri Guru Hargobind Ji here.
Gurudwara Manji Sahib
Marks the site where the 6th Prophet's daughter, Bibi Veero had got her house constructed. A sacramental book containing divine hymns (Pothi), a cot, a hand-fan and a scarf gifted to her by her father and the holy of cap of Guru Nanak Dev Ji can be seen here.
Gurudwara Babaan Garh
Bhai Jaita (Jiwan Singh after baptism), in defiance of the Mughal authority had managed to escape with the martyred head of the 9th Prophet,Sri Guru Teg Bahadur from Delhi after his martyrdom in 1675. It was first rested here. From Gurudwara TEER SAHIB the 6th Prophet had revealed Gurudwara Patal Puri by shooting an arrow. The 7th Prophet was created at Patal Puri and ashes of the 8th Prophet were immersed in river Satluj nearby. Gurudwara Baba GURDITTA is located on a close by hill. In 1665 the 9th Prophet Sri Guru Teg Bahadur had bought the site of Anandpur Sahib from the Rani of Bilaspur.
Gurudwaras at Anandpur Sahib
GURU-KA-MAHAL It was built as the residence of Guru Teg Bahadur ji. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji also stayed here and his four Sahibjadas (baby sons) were also born here.
Gurudwara Thara Sahib
It was at this spot in 1675 that a delegation of 15 Kashmiri Brahamans led by Pandit Kirpa Ram had come to beseech the 9th Prophet to save them from the tyranny of the Mughals who were forcibly converting them to Islam. It was here that the Prophet had decided to embrace martyrdom to awaken the dead soul of India that of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib
The martyred head of Guru Teg Bahadur who embraced martyrdom in Delhi in 1675 to save Hindu dharm was brought from Kiratpur Sahib and cremated here.
Gurudwara Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib
The Panj Piaras five beloved ones) were baptised here ; Sikhs were consummated as the Khalsa -saint soldiers, at this spot. 12 weapons of the 10thProphet are preserved here. One among them is Hazrat Ali's sword. The Hola Mohalla fair of Anandpur Sahib is famous.
Gurudwara Damadama Sahib
On 17th December 1975 the 10th Prophet was proclaimed as the Guru here.
Gurudwara Guru-ka-Lahore
(11 Kms from Anandpur Sahib) On 25th January,1686 the 10th Prophet was married to Mata Jito Ji here. Three springs of water which the 10th Prophet had lanced open from huge rocks are still flowing. Sandwiched between Sri Anandpur Sahib and Sri Kiratpur Sahib is CHAMKAUR SAHIB. It was in this area where , having sworn safe passage to the 10th Prophet's family and forces the Mughal and the hill Chiefs had treacherously attacked them. Gurudrawa Katal Garh Sahib commemorates the martyrdom of the two elder Sahibzadas and 37 Singhs who had died fighting here,Gurudrawa Pariwar Vichhora Sahib marks the site where the 10th Prophet's family got scattered. Gurudwaras GARHI SAHIB, TARRI SAHIB, RANJITGARH SAHIB are connected with the dharm yudh that the 10th Prophet had waged against the tyrants.
Temples in Punjab
Ram Tirth, Amritsar
Location 11Kilometres west of Amritsar on Chogawan road, dates back to the period of Ramayana, Rishi Balmiki's hermitage. The place has an ancient tank and many temples. A hut marks the site where Mata Sita gave birth to Luv & Kush and also, still extant are Rishi Balmiki's hut and the well with stairs where Mata Sita used to take her bath. The Bedis of Punjab (Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder Prophet of Sikhism was a Bedi) trace their descent from Kush and Sodhis (the 10th Prophet of Sikhism, Guru Gibind Singh ji was a Sodhi) from Luv. A four day fair, since times immemorial is held here starting on the full moon night in November.
Durgiana Mandir, Amritsar : ( Lakshmi Narain Temple )
Built in the third decade of the 20th Century it echoes, not the traditional Hindu temple architecture, but that of the Golden temple and, in a similar manner rises from the midst of a tank and has canopies and the central dome in the style of the Sikh temple. Its foundation stone was laid by one of the greatest reformers and political leaders of resurgent India, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. It is a well-known repository of Hindu scriptures.
Bhagwathi Mandir, Maisar Khanna, Bathinda City
Its history goes back to the 17th Century AD. The locality of the city in which this temple is located formed a part of a village, then called Khanna. People from this village were the devotees of Jawala Mukhi temple in Kangra. Once, when Kamala Bhagt of this village and another holy person Kali Nath were proceeding towards the Jawala Mukhi temple, Bhagwati Mata, the deity of Jawala Mukhi appeared before them, almost two kilometers before their destination the moment they had lit fire to pray. She blessed the devotees and told Kamala Bhagat that in future, he need not come to a pilgrimage to Jawala Mukhi because his worship at his village will be sanctified as his worship at her abode. Since then a religious fair is held at this place twice in a year.
Shiv Mandhir, Gur-mandi, Jalandhar
The Mandir dates back of the Lodhi Era. It is said that the Nawab of Sultanpur Lodhi, in whose territory the city of Jalandhar then fell hadeyed a newly married Hindu girl whom he had wanted to make an object of his lust. She was the devotee of lord Shiva whose serpent saved her honour. Awed by the appearance of this serpent he had begged pardon from the girl and on her bidding he had got this temple built. The temple has an unusual architecture. Its main gate is built in the style of a mosque while the rest of the building is in Hindu style.
Sodal Mandir, Jalandhar City
The temple of a child deity where wishes are fulfilled. Thousands of devotees congregate here during the month of September.
Panch Mandir, Kapurthala Town
It was got built by the founder of the Kapurthala State, Fateh Singh Ahluwalia. The prime dome in the centre is surrounded by several smaller temples dedicated to different deities. It is the most striking building in the city of wonder architecture. Its replica was exhibited in the pre-partition Punjab Museum at Lahore.
Kali Devi Temple, Patiala
Situated opposite Baradari garden on the Mall Road of Patiala. This Temple was built by the rulers of the Patiala State. Because of its beautiful wall paintings and icons the temple has been declared a national monument.
Places to Visit in Punjab
Amritsar - the holy city of Sikhs, has grown from a sacred village pond into a spiritual temporal centre of Sikh culture. The city gets its name from the pool-Amritsar (Pool of Nectar), which was constructed by the fourth religious preceptor of the Sikh faith. It also lies on the Asian Highway.It is also the city where Jaliyan-wala-bagh, the garden where scores of innocent Indian men, women, children were massacred by the British. Events of such magnitude catalysed the struggle for Indian independence.
chandigarh
Serenity and a city are two diametrically opposite concepts, which however, get belied in the 'City Beautiful'. Chandigarh is a rare epitome of modernization co-existing with nature's preservation. It is here that the trees and plants are as much a part of the construction plans as the buildings and the roads.Thanks to the creative genius of Le Corbusier, the city retains its inherent character even today, as conceived by him in his Master Plan. Corbusier's architectural ingenuity endowed with uniform and standardized structure designs. Wide roads, sector wise divisions, tree-lined avenues, land scaping and a wide piazza, lends the city a special character and a unique orderliness.
The festivals in Punjab have always been celebrated with much exuberance and fanfare. For the masses these festivals are popular occasions for social interaction and enjoyment.
Punjab being a predominantly agricultural state that prides itself on its food grain production, it is little wonder that its most significant festival is Baisakhi, which marks the arrival of the harvesting season. For the Sikhs, Baisakhi has a special significance because on this day in 1699, their tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh organized the Order of the Khalsa.
The Gurpurab festival is celebrated by the Sikhs to express their reverence for their gurus. Two major Gurpurabs are celebrated during the year. The first in the month of Kartik (Oct-Nov) to celebrate the teachings of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, and the second in the month of Pausa (December-January) to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Govind Singh. On all Gurpurabs, non-stop recital of the granth sahib and religious discourses are held. Langars (free meals) are served to all without distinction of caste or creed.
A day after Holi, the Sikh community in Punjab observes Holla Mohalla with thousands of devout Sikhs gathering at Anandpur Sahib-where Guru Gobind Singh was baptized-to participate in the grand fair of Holla Mohalla. The whole place wears a festive look and processions are taken out and the people participate in the festivities with gaiety and fervor.Tika is celebrated in the month of Kartik (Oct-Nov.) one day after Diwali. Women put a tika of saffron and rice grains on the foreheads of their brothers, to protect them from evil.
Like most other festivals of Punjab, Lohri too is a festival related to the seasons. Celebrated in the month of Pausa (December-January), it marks the end of the winter season. A huge bonfire is made in every house and the fire god is worshipped.
Teej heralds the onset of Sawan (monsoon), which is essential for the agricultural prosperity of the state. Dressed in all their finery, with menndi on their hands, the womenfolk converge to welcome the rains and pray for the long life of their husbands.
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