Visiting Amritsar

Amritsar the holiest place for the Sikhs and the home of the beautiful and divine golden temple. The golden plated gutrudwara glitters in the Indian sun while the mirror image is reflected in the delicate waves of the holy pool that surrounds the temple. This serene place offers tranquility of the place attracts lot of piligrims who spend praying in this temple to find themselves closer to God. The busy bustling bazaars of the city strike a chaotic contrast to the temple within. These streets are packed with boistrous, joyful sikhs who love to party. There are a wide variety of street food and street side shopping opportunities that the colourful delights they offer will dazzel you. Come to Amritsar for a true Indian experience.

The original site for this city is granted by Akbar. Then again another Mughal king sacked Amritsar and destroyed the temple, it was rebuilt and the roof was copper plated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh from then on it was named as the golden temple. The temple suffered another crisis when in 1980 during the term of Madame Indira Gandhi as the Prime Minister. The civil unrest that existed between the Hindus and Sikhs during that time made the Golden temple of Amritsar a hotbed for military action which soon esculated and soon blood was spilled on this holy site as militants hid themselves here.

Amritsar has also seen much bloodshed before the Independence of India. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre marks a bloody spot in Indian History and the cruelty of British rule in India. The Brigadier General Dyer arrived with 150 troops and without warning fired on the men, women and children that were present there to attend a peaceful public protest against the British rule. After this atrocity commited by the British General, Gandhiji responded with 'Non-Cooperation Movement'announcing 'cooperation in any shape or form with the satanic governament is sinful'. This was the spark that blazed the fire for freedom in the heart of millions of Indians.


For more information
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jallianwala_Bagh_massacre


Tourist Information
Tourist Office ph: 0183-2402452; Queen's Rd.

Places of Interest
Golden Temple - Hari Mandir Sahib; Amrit Sarovar; Sikh Museum; Akal Takhat; Baba Atal Tower; Guru-ka-Langar
Jallianwala Bagh
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama (Ram Bagh)
Mata Temple
Sri Durgiana Temple
Ram Tirath Temple

India-Pakistan Border at Attari/Wagah
30 km from Amritsar is where the Border closing Ceremony takes place in the late afternoon. People come here to watch sharp looking guards briskly snap their feet and salute the flag. An patriotic feeling almost electric passes through all the viewers on either side as guards on both Indian and Pakistani side of the border perform a well rehersed routine of closing the border. Return taxis are available from Amritsar.


Where you can stay
The Golden Temple offers accomodation for free in Guru Arjun Dev Niwas. Foreigners are accomodated in Sri Guru Ram Das Niwas. Though rooms and dorms are basic with shared bathroom facilities.
Grand Hotel ph: 0183-2562424; www.hotelgrand.in
Hotel Le Golden ph: 0183-5028000; www.hotellegolden.com
Mrs Bhandari's Guest House ph: 0183-2228509
Hotel CJ International ph: 0183-2535900; www.cjhotel.net
Hotel Indus ph: 0183-2535900; www.hotelindus.com
Hotel Lawrence ph: 0183-2400105; www.lawrenceamritsar.com
Top End
Mohan International Hotel ph: 0183-2227801; www.mohaninternationalhotel.com
Hotel Grand Legacy ph: 0183-5069991; www.grandlegacy.net
MK Hotel ph: 0183-2504610; www.mkhotel.com
Hotel Ritz Plaza ph: 0183-2562836; www.ritzhotel.in


Where you can eat

Neelams (light eats) near Golden Temple
Punjabi Rasoi (Indian Continental Chinese veg) Golden Temple
Sagar Ratna (South Indian Veg) Queen's road 
Pizza Point (Pizzas and sandwiches) Phawara Chowk
Crystal Restaurent (Global favorites from lasagne to fish curry) Cooper Rd
Astoria Food Pavillion (veg & Non-veg)
Moti Mahal Delux (North Indian veg & Non-veg) Hotel Grand Legacy
Yellow Chilli (Veg Buffet) District Shopping Center
Barbeque Nation (veg & non-veg buffet)  MK Towers

Shopping

Katra Jaimal Singh Bazaars is for traditional wear like Salwar kameez and saris, while the city's more modern shops can be found along Lawrence and Mall roads.

Fabindia www.fabindia.com


Getting there and away

Amritsar services domestic and international flights.
Air India ph: 0183-2508122
Indian Airlines ph: 0183-2213392; 39A Court rd.
Jet Airways ph: 0183-2508003; Ranjit Ave;
Kingfisher Airlines ph: 080-39008888; airport
Singapore Airlines ph: 0183-2500330
Uzbekistan Airways ph: 0183-2507744

Apart from the train station, a less busy train reservation office is at the Golden Temple. Trains are available from Delhi, Amritsar, Lucknow, Varanasi and Howrah.
Buses leave for Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Dharmashala, Shimla, Manali.

 

About Sirhind

Sights of Interest

Aam Khas Bagh - a Mughal era walled garden
Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib - commemorates the martyrdom of the two youngest sons of tenth guru Gobind Singh. Entombed alive for refusing to convert to Islam by the Mughal rulers.
The marble mausoleum of Muslim saint Shaikh Ahmad  Faruqi Sirhindi.

Festivals
Shaheedi Jor Mela held here every December.
Urs Festival

Accomodation
Sahil Motel ph: 01763-228392

Getting there and away
Busses connect Sirhind to Patiala and Chandigarh.

A trip to Patiala

Patiala is a modest little town that was once the capital of independent Sikh state that was established by Baba Ala Singh as the Mughals weakened. It is famous for the Basant Festivities marking the birth of a new season and ofcourse the patiala peg. Funny story, a tent pegging competition between the men of the English Viceroy and the the men of the Maharaja of Patiala. the Indians invited the British for a party and got them drunk with larger than usual measures (or pegs) the day before the competition. They even changed the tent pegs, larger for the maharaja's men and smaller for the British. When the British complained about the tent pegs the maharaja assumed that he they were talking about the 'pegs' they had last night and said that the people of Patiala are very generous to their guests and their pegs are always bigger than else where. Even today  an extra large measure of whisky is called a Patiala peg.

Places of interest

Qila Mubarak fort - A crumbling fort that takes you back in time.
Arms Gallery - Host a collection of antique weapons.
Moti Bhag Palace - Showcases the ivory figurines and stuffed wild-animals
Old Moti Bhag Palace has the sports museum
Dukh Niwaran Gurudwara - As the name suggests, relieves the sickness and suffering of the devotees who pray here.

Where you can stay
*Baradari Palace ph: 0175-2304433; www.neemranahotels.com
Hotel Narain Continental ph: 0175-2212846
Green's Hotel ph: 0175-2213071

A trip to Chandigarh

Chandigarh is a Union Territory controlled by the Central Governament of India. After partition of India Chandigarh is designed to be the Capital of Punjab, and according to our first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, 'an expression of the nation's faith in the future.' Now it is the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. Chandigarh is a well planned roads, tree lined avenues, public gardens, pedestrian piazzas. The city is divided into sectors each with their own shops, schools and places of worship. Chandigarh is unique in its grid design and angular sense of order from any other city in India; is home to the wacky Nek Chand Fantasy Rock Garden.

Tourist Information
Chandigarh tourism ph: 0172/2703839; Sector 17-B
Haryana Tourism ph: 0172/2702957; Sector 17-B
Himachal Pradesh ph: 0172/2708569; Sector 17-B
Uttar Pradesh Tourism & Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal) Tourism ph: 0172/2707649; Sector 17-B

Sightseeing

Capital Complex
Nek Chand Fantasy Rock Garden
Sukhna Lake
Museums
Galleries
Parks and Gardens - Rose Garden; Bougainvillea Garden; Terraced Garden; Garden of Fragrance

Excursions around Chandigarh

Pinjore (Yadavindra) Gardens - Heritage Festival (Budgerigar Motel ph:01733-231877;)
Morni Hills - Hosh & Josh Hills 'n' Thrills ph:01733-201150; Mountain Quail Tourist Resort ph:01733-250166; Lake View Camping complex ph:01733-250166
What you can do
Tours - Doubledecker bus tours of the city.

Where you can stay
Hotel Kwality Regency ph: 0172/2720204; Sector 22-A
Hotel Sunbeam ph: 0172/2708100; Sector 22-B www.hotelsunbeam.com
Kaptain's Retreat ph: 0172/5005599 www.kaptainsretreat.com
Hotel City Heart Premium ph: 0172/2724203; Sector 17-C
AB's ph: 0172/6577888; Sector 26
Aura Vaseela ph: 01762/287575; www.auravaseela.com; Nadiala Village
Hotel Shivalikview ph: 0172/4672222; www.citcochandigarh.com/shivlikview
Piccadily Hotel ph: 0172/2707571; www.thepiccadily.com; Sector 22-B
Hotel Mountview ph: 0172/4671111; www.citcochandigarh.com/mountview; Sector 10-B
Taj Chandigarh ph: 0172/6613000; www.tajhotels.com; Sector 17-A

Where you can eat

Sagar Ratna (South Indian) Sector 17-E
Sundarams (South Indian dosas) Sector 28
Bhoj (North Indian Veg Thalis) Sector 22-B
Mehfil (Indian Chinese Continental) Sector17-C
Ghazal (Veg and non-veg meals) Sector 17-C
Noodle Bar (East Asian) Sector 26
Chop Sticks (Chinese) Sector 7-C
Moti Mahal (North Indian) Sector 17-C
Copper Chimney (tandoori) Sector 26
Barbeque Nation (veg/non-veg buffet) Sector 26
AB's (Mughlai) Sector 26
Hot Millions Salad Bar & Restaurent (soups, veg/non-veg salads, desserts) Sector 17-D
Swagath (Mangalorean and Chettinad style Sea Foods) Sector 26
Yangtse (Chinese) Sector 17-E
Ruby Tuesday (Fastfoods)
Orchid Lounge (Oriental) Sector 34-A
Pomodoro (Italian) Piccadily Hotel; Sector 22-B
Entertainment
Tagore Theater ph: 0172/2724278; Sector 18-B
Kiran Cinema ph: 0172/2705082; Sector 22-D
Fun Cinemas ph: 9888997806; Fun Republic Shopping Center

Shopping Anokhi (www.anokhi.com) Sector 7-C
Ebony Sector 9-D
Fabindia (www.fabindia.com) Sector 9-C

Getting there and away

Air India ph: 1800227722; Sector 34-A
Jet Airways ph: 0172/2741465; Sector 9-D
Kingfisher Airlines ph: 9302795005
Railway Reservation Office ph: 0172/2720242

A trip to Anandpur Sahib

The second holiest place for the Sikh community of India, only after the Golden Temple of Amritsar, this place is founded by the ninth Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1664, before the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb beheaded him for refusing to convert to Islam. His son Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru, founded the Khalsa (Sikh Brotherhood) here in 1699.

Places of Importance

Kesgarh Sahib - is the largest Gurudwara and has a number of holy weapons on display some of them are in the hands of the guards.

Sis Ganj - is a smaller gurudwara which marks the spot where the head of Guru Tegh Bahadur was cremated after it was brought back from Delhi.

Anandgarh Sahib - is 500m from town, where a flight of steps leads to a fort on the roof fromm here we can observe the five petal form of the Khalsa Heritage complex which is inspired by the five warrior-saints in the Khalsa. It has exhibits that showcase Sikhism's vibrant history and culture. www.khalsaheritagecomplex.org

Accomodation

Kishan Haveli 01887-232650
Gurudwaras also provide accomodation and food.

Getting there and away
The bus and train stations are 300m apart from the main rd outside the town
Buses leave daily from Chandigarh and Amritsar.
Overnight train from Delhi to Himachal Pradesh connects Anandpur Sahib with Delhi

 

Haryana and Punjab

Punjab is the land of five rivers; the Beas, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and sutlej. Its a fertile blessing to the country, a green carpet laid down to feed the country's millions. Punjab is lovingly known as the bread basket of India due to its phenomenal wheat production. The well watered and fertile land has delivered such bounty to the country not only in terms of rice, barley, sugarcane, maize, fruits and vegetables; it also produces 15%of the cotton of India. Punjab is the land of the proud and boisterous Sikhs and has given us such heroes like Bhagat Singh. From butter chicken to bhangra, the colourful people of Punjab has offered us much and spread their vibrant culture far and wide. The Punjabi though adapting to the modern world are traditional at heart and embrace their culture with great fervour.
Archaeologists uncovered that this part of India dates back 4000 years to Indus Valley Civilization established by Harappans. Buddist relics have been excavated at sites associated with the later Mauryan dynasty. while the Kurukshetra district has 360 historical sites within 92 sq km radius. The Mahabharata mentions Punjab's land and people while Valmiki is said to have worked on Ramayana at Ram Tirath near Amritsar. even Alexander the great reached Punjab before faltering.
Haryana name means either 'Abode of God' or 'green home'. Harayana split from Punjab in 1966 but shares a capital, Chandigarh. Its best known for the Hindu holy sight of Kurukshetra, the place dates back to the age of Mahabharata.

Facts
Punjab
Population 24.3 million
Area 50,362 sq km
Capital Chandigarh
Main Language Punjabi
Best time to visit November to March

Haryana
Population 21.1 million
Area 44,212 sq km
Capital Chandigarh
Main Language Hindi
Best time to visit November to March

Highlights

• Sikhism's holiest site of the Golden Temple of Amritsar is in Punjab.
• Be a part of the patriotic fervour as cheering citizens of India and Pakistan watch the Border Closing Ceremony .
• The modern metropolis of Nek Chand Fantasy Rock Garden.
• The Pinjore Gardens and the Morni Hills for some green serenity.

Other Places of Intrest

Ludhiana - A major textile center and the venue of the Kila Raipur Sports Festival

Jalandhar -This city survived for 1000 years the relentless attack of Mohammed of Gazini and later became an important Mughal city. Now it is a commercial hub and the host city for the Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan.

Kapurthala - The home of the young Spanish dancer who married the maharaja. The story goes thus, the Maharaja saw her performance during the marriage ceremony of king Alfonso XIII of Spain, and fell in love with her. After a few courtships in Paris, they were married and she came to India.
For more information visit http://www.kapurthalaprincess.com

Faridkot - was once capital of a Sikh state of the same name and has a 700 year old fortress. The city also hosts the Baba Sheikh Farid Aagman Purb Festival in September to honour the Sufi saint Baba Sheikh Farid whose preachings of equality very much influenced Guru Nanak and whose poems are in the Sikh holy book, The Guru Granth Sahib.

Information
www.punjabgovt.nic.in
www.haryana-online.com
www.haryanatourism.com
www.citcochandigarh.com
www.chandigarh.nic.in


Festivals of Haryana and Punjab

• Kila Raipur Sports Festival (Rural Olympics; www.ruralolympics.net; Feb; Kila Raipur, near Ludhiana)
• Surajkund Crafts Mela (1-15 Feb; Surajkund)
• Basant (Feb/Mar; Patiyala) Kite flying, singing, dancing and welcoming spring.
• Baisakhi Festival (www.baisakhifestival.com) Celebrates the onset of the solar year and first crop harvest with folk dancing.
• Baba Sheikh Farid Aagman Purb Festival (Sep; Faridkot) A five day festival that commemorates the Sufi Saint.
• Pinjore Heritage Festival (early Oct; Pinjore Gardens) A three day festival
• Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan (www.harballabh.org; late dec; Jalandhar) Four day music festival in existance for 150 years showcasing Indian classical instrumentalists and vocalists.
• Gita Jayanti (Nov/Dec; Kurukshetra) Week long celebrations on the anniversary of Bhagavat Gita.