Known as the land of five rivers, Punjab is bestowed with the lush beauty of nature along with a rich culture, grandness, and royalty. If there’s a state in India that is known for its happy people and its warmth, then that would be Punjab. The state’s iconic mustard fields, decades-old monuments, their rich history, India’s some of the biggest and famous religious spots, bhangra, eating spots, the exciting Punjabi rituals, and of course the iconic Punjabi lassi! Everything has its essence.
With its streets teeming with history and culture, Punjab has no shortage of places to visit for tourists there. The land is peppered with awe-inspiring places which will give you a glimpse into the lifestyle and traditions of the people residing here. With the magnificent monuments, landscaped gardens, and stunning temples, a day spent in Punjab is always a bright one.
Check out these prominent places here that will give you the true essence of Punjab-
Top 30 Main Tourist Attractions of Punjab
Number | Name | Location | Entry Price (Approximate) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) | Amritsar | Free |
2 | Jallianwala Bagh | Amritsar | Free |
3 | Wagah Border Ceremony | Amritsar | Free |
4 | Akal Takht | Amritsar | Free |
5 | Ranjit Singh Museum | Amritsar | INR 10 |
6 | Rock Garden | Chandigarh | INR 30 |
7 | Sukhna Lake | Chandigarh | Free |
8 | Pinjore Gardens | Panchkula | INR 20 |
9 | Chattbir Zoo | Zirakpur | INR 20 |
10 | Anandpur Sahib | Ropar | Free |
11 | Virasat-e-Khalsa | Anandpur Sahib | INR 100 |
12 | Sheesh Mahal | Patiala | INR 50 |
13 | Qila Mubarak Complex | Patiala | INR 10 |
14 | Rangla Punjab | Jalandhar | INR 500 (approx.) |
15 | Pushpa Gujral Science City | Kapurthala | INR 250 |
16 | Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum | Ludhiana | INR 10 |
17 | Phillaur Fort | Phillaur | Free |
18 | Gurudwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib | Patiala | Free |
19 | Wagah-Attari Border | Amritsar | Free |
20 | Maharaja Ranjit Singh Park | Amritsar | Free |
21 | Rambagh Gardens | Amritsar | INR 20 |
22 | Bathinda Fort | Bathinda | INR 20 |
23 | Tarn Taran Sahib | Tarn Taran | Free |
24 | Khalsa College | Amritsar | INR 20 |
25 | Durgiana Temple | Amritsar | Free |
26 | Science City | Kapurthala | INR 250 |
27 | Raja Sansi International Airport | Amritsar | N/A |
28 | Mughal Sarai | Ferozepur | Free |
29 | Bhakra Nangal Dam | Nangal | Free |
30 | Jang-e-Azadi Memorial | Kartarpur | Free |
Read About – Local Festivals to Celebrate in Rajasthan
Amritsar
The holiest of the cities for Sikhs not only in India but all over the world, Amritsar is found listed at the top when anyone talks about the religious places to visit in Punjab. The name of the city is derived from the holy pool that surrounds the famous Golden Temple of this city, which means “the holy pool of nectar”. Amritsar is the second largest city in the Indian state of Punjab and is colloquially known as Ambarsar. This city is a spiritual and cultural center of the Sikh religion portraying the heroic character of Punjab.
From Operation Blue Star in the Golden Temple to the tragedy of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Amritsar has seen the worst of situations and yet emerged like a phoenix through testing times. Amritsar today is a thriving city with active trade and tourism industries.
The must-visit tourist spots in this ancient land of shrines and historically important places are as follows-
- Golden Temple- also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is located right in the heart of Amritsar and is the holiest shrine in all of Sikhism. Timings: 4 AM to 11 PM.
- Wagah Border- it marks the boundaries between Indian and Pakistani borders. Every evening the Beating Retreat Ceremony takes place and is a prime attraction of the site. Entry timings: 10 AM to 4 PM.
- Jallianwala Bagh- A public garden that houses a memorial to commemorate the massacre of peaceful celebrators by the British Forces. Timing: 6:30 AM to 7: 30 PM.
- Harike Wetland and Bird Sanctuary- largest man-made wetland in northern India, timings: 10 AM to 6 PM.
- Akal Takht – One of five takhts of the Sikhs; founded in 1606 and one of the Sikh religion’s most sacred sites. Timings: 2:30 AM to 10 PM.
- Tara Taran Sahib- The main religious hub at Tarn Taran Sahib is Sri Darbar Sahib Tarn Taran and has the distinction of having the largest Sarovar of all the Gurudwaras.
Also Read – Best Temples of Ujjain
Chandigarh
The union territory that is the capital of both Punjab and Haryana is India’s first planned city with a dose of modernity and traditional Punjabi at heart. Chandigarh shows itself off to global travellers much like greater India would wish to be seen- prosperous, comfortable, and cosmopolitan. This welcoming city is also one of the cleanest in India, where one can spend time shopping in the mall, lounging at a café, or unwinding by a lake or garden.
If you are wondering what to see in Punjab, this city is your answer. Chandigarh’s food and gedi culture (a leisure drive) is what the capital is popular for. It is a rich, prosperous, clean, and green city and famous as “The City Beautiful”. You will surely agree once you visit this beautiful city where modernization has not destroyed the natural treasures of the land.
Some of the must-visit tourist places in Chandigarh include these places-
- Zakir Hussain Rose Garden- A botanical garden with 50,000 rose bushes of 1600 different species. Entry fee is INR 50 per person. Timings: 6 AM to 10 PM.
- Rock Garden of Chandigarh- A sculpture garden for rock enthusiasts in the city. Entry fee is INR 30 for adults and INR 10 for kids. Timings: 9 AM to 7:30 PM.
- Sukhna Lake- This 3 km2 rain-fed lake created in 1958 is one of the most beautiful manmade lakes in India. It is the venue for the Asian Rowing championships. Remain open all day, every day but boating timings vary.
- Sector 17 Market- replete with several big brand stores, international outlets, food chains and a market that is popular both among youngsters and adults.
- Japanese Garden- a well-groomed beautifully maintained park housing a park, water bodies, a pagoda tower, waterfalls, meditation centres, a Buddha idol and many other structures.
- Government Museum and Art Gallery- it is a natural history museum and an art gallery that has various other sections other than them.
Mohali
Well known as Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Mohali is a wonderland city lying south-west of Chandigarh. It is one of the most prominent cities of North India and also one of the most visited tourist destinations in Punjab which boasts lush green views, profound greenery, and amazing weather.
The city, along with Panchkula and Chandigarh, forms the Chandigarh Tricity and is famous for its beautiful blend of the mystic charm of northern culture. The city is a shopper’s paradise and a popular IT and commercial hub for the country. It has an aesthetic landscape ranging from impressive new buildings to highly preserved historical monuments making you live both of the worlds at the same time.
Some of the best places to visit in Mohali are-
- Rangla Punjabi Haveli – It is the centre where the culture, and traditional lifestyle. It has various art forms of Punjab. A must-visit place!
- Devi Talab Mandir – The 200-year-old temple located right in the heart of the city. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. Thousands of devotees visit every year and timings are 5 am to 10 pm.
- Jang-e-Azad Memorial- A recently developed museum and a memorial for all the Punjabis who sacrificed their lives for Indian Independence.
- Science City Kapurthala- known as The Pushpa Gujral Science City. Heaven for science enthusiasts; timings: from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Pathankot
Pathankot, one of the most famous places in Punjab, enjoys lush greenery and shares its borders with Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The city has a historically rich past and was once known for the Shawl and Loi weaving industries. Currently, Pathankot houses one of the bases for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. Situated at the foothills of the Himalayas and very close to hill stations like Dalhousie and the Kangra Valley. Pathankot demonstrates Punjabi history and heritage.
Some of the best tourist places of Pathankot are-
- Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple – a shrine to Shiva and a man-made cave complex located near Pathankot city. The temple houses very old caves that tradition holds as the same place where the Pandavas stayed during their exile. Timings- from 5 AM to 8 PM.
- Nurpur Fort – It is a 900-year-old fort that is popular for its ancient Krishna temple located here. A famous tourist attraction in the city that opens at 9 AM and closes at 5 PM.
- Laxmi Narayan Mandir – one of the largest temples in Pathankot with amazing architecture. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, the temple has ample greenery all around.
- Hydraulic Research Centre – the centre is an excellent example of civil engineering and hydraulics. It has a magnificent display of dam models and models of systems used for irrigation.
Know More About Tourist Attractions in Punjab
The fertile land of farms and forts, Punjab aptly nicknames itself the ‘Smiling Soul of India’. Here you will always find the inhabitants smiling and laughing while taking pride in their religion and culture. From the vast expanse of mustard fields and king-size lifestyle of glabrous to the enthralling golden temple in Amritsar. Places that stand testament to the country’s quest for freedom, you can experience it all on your Punjab tour!A travel experience in Punjab will encompass culture, heritage, history, and wildlife. Visit some of the most striking places in the city and enjoy the membrane of full of life, generous to a fault, loud and boisterous Punjabis who will win your hearts with their simple, loving gestures.
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