Punjab 
Amritsar | Chandigarh
Punjab, the land of five rivers and integrated cultural history,is a treasure trove for an avid tourist. For this land of the great gurus not only boasts of ancient monuments but throbs with historical embodiments.It is no secret that whoever comes to this land of yellow fields with blue mountains providing the romantic and picturesque backdrop has never gone back without imbibing the essence of Punjab.
There is no dearth of breathtaking palaces,for Punjab was the seat of royality,as the imposing Quila Mubarak will tell you. Museums galore and so are the religious places with the Golden Temple offering succour to the mind and soul of any one visiting. If you are a wild life freak, then Punjab can take you on a tour of the sanctuaries,which are hot favourites with migratory birds. Since this state borders Pakistan, there are two main posts from which you can peep into the land that was once an integral part of Punjab and experience the feelings of the people separated by a line. The much truncated India's portion of present Punjab is divided into three natural regions : the Majha, the Doaba and the Malwa. 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. The holiest shrine for the Sikhs is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, so called because the dome is covered with gold leaf.
Amritsar - the holy city of Sikhs, has grown from a sacred village pond intoa spiritual temporal centre of Sikh culture. The city gets its name from thepool-Amritsar (Pool of Nectar), which was constructed by the fourth religious preceptor of the Sikh faith. It also lies on the Asain Highway.
Temperature (°C):
Summer: Max 34, Min 15
Winter: Max 18, Min 0
Rainfall: 59.2 cms
Clothing: Cotton in summer and Woollen in Winter
STD Code: 0183
How to get there
Air: Amritsar is connected by air with Delhi and Shrinagar.
Rail: Amritsar is connected by rail with Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay, Varanasi, Wagah (Attari Border) and some other places in India.
Road: Amritsar is connected by bus with Ambala, Chandigarh, Delhi, Ferozepur, Jammu etc. Some of the road distances are as follows:- Jammu 216 kms, Ferozepur 160 kms, Chandigarh 235 kms, Delhi 435 kms and Wagah 29 kms.
Local Transport: Cycle Rickshaws, Taxis, City buses.
Places of Interest
- Golden Temple
- Akal Takht
- Durgiana Temple
- Jallaianwala Bagh
- Saragarhi Gurudwara
- Tower of Baba Atal
- Academy of Fine Arts
- Central Museum & S.G.
- Thakur Singh Art Gallery
Excursions
- Gobindwal Sahib - 30 kms
- Taran Taaran - 22 kms
- Baba Bakala Gurudwara - 45 kms
- Ram Tirath - 10 kms
- Preet Nagar - 20 kms
- Amanat Khan Sarai and Hari-ke-Patten - 38 kms
Information
- Tourist Bureau
- Government of Punjab
- Palace Hotel
- Opposite Railway Station
The city of Chandigarh lies in the valley surrounded by Shiwalik Hills that hem the great Himalayas. From here one can travel northwards to the hill resorts of Shimla Kulu, Manali, Dharmashala and Dalhousie. Chandigarh is not only the most modern city in the country but has been planned to perfection by the world famous French architect le Corbusier.
Altitude: 304.8 to 365.78 metres
Temperature (°C):
Summer: Max 37, Min 23
Winter: Max 24, Min 5
Rainfall: 111.4 cms
Best Season: October to March
How to get there
Air: Indian Airlines connect Chandigarh with Delhi, Jammu, Shrinagar and Leh. Vayudoot Services connect Chandigarh with Delhi, Kulu and Gaggad.
Rail: Chandigarh, the terminus of Northern Railway, is connected with Bombay, Delhi, Kalka and other major cities in India.
Road: Chandigarh is connected by good motorable roads with Amritsar 240 kms, Dehradhun 230 kms, Delhi 248 kms, Shimla 117 kms, Kulu 279 kms, Bhakra 116 kms, Kasauli 77 kms, Jammu 380 kms.
Local Transport: Regular bus services connect Chandigarh with Amritsar, Delhi, Dharamshala, Kulu, Manali, Nangal, Pathankot and Shimla.
Places of Interest
- The Secratariat
- The Assembly & High Court
- Zakir Hussain Rose Garden (2 kms)
- Rock Garden
- Sukhna Lake
- Govt. Museum & Art Gallery & Punjab University Complex
- International Doll Museum
- National Gallery of Portraits.
Excursions
- Pinjore Gardens (25 kms)
Bhima Devi Temple (22 kms) - Chattbir Zoo (22 kms)
- Mansa Mandir / Chandi Mandir (10 kms)
- Bhakra Nangal (116 kms)
- Ponta Sahib (135 kms)
- Naina Devi (110 kms)
