GENERAL INFORMATION
Punjab is a region straddling the border between India and Pakistan Most of the Punjab is an alluvial plain, bounded by mountains to the north.  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.

HERITAGE

Govindgarh Fort Amritsar    early 19th century designed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.Has special defence mechanism against artillery attacks, which were frequent when Punjab was still open to depredations of the Afghan hordes. Being with paramilitary forces it is not open to visitors now.

Bathinda Fort    Schooner shaped fort stands like a ship in a sea of sand; design eminently suited to the desert environment; is reputed to be 1800 years old. It is said to have been built by Bhatti Reo. In 1754 AD it was captured by Maharaj Ala Singh of Patiala. A small gurdwara commemorates the visit of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji here.

Mughal Sarai, Shambhu (Patiala)   is a Caravan Sarai initially constructed by Sher Shah Suri on the Grand Trunk Road connecting Peshawar to Dhaka (now in Bangla Desh). It has two majestic gates with a mosque in the centre and rooms on all sides for the travellers. A deep well and a baradari- a building with 12 gates located on the outer side.

Sarai Amanat Khan , Amritsar    Monuments of great charm and excellence the Inn has an ornamental Mughal gateway embellished with glazed tiles. Nearby is a mosque on the walls of which Arabic inscriptions from the Muslim Scriptures are engraved. The tomb, horseshoe shaped, is surmounted by 4 minarets.

Tomb of Mir-i-Mran Sirhind    5 kilometers from Aam Khas Bagh connected by a link road. There are two inscribed Sand Stones with inscriptions. Only one of it is readable; "Subhan daughter of Behlol Lodhi who died on Friday, 11 of Safar 901 Hijri." The other grave, there, should be of Mir-i-Miran, Amir Sayyid, the son-in-law of the King.Built on a square platform, the semicircular dome of the tomb is supported by an octangular neck. The neck has fluted pillars of compound capitals of Hindu Origin in the four cardinal directions.

Qila Mubarak Patiala    The Qila (fort) was also the residence of Patiala dynasty. The residential part was called Qila Androon or the Inner Fort. Its living apartments have names like Jail Walla Palace for royal prisoners, the Moti (pearl) Palace, the Sheesh (mirror work) Palace, the Rajmata (Queen Mother) Palace, the Palace of Colours, the Palace of the Moon. The recreational structures were called the Putli (Puppet) Ghar and Bagh Ghar or the Garden House. Its richly painted chambers are peerless. Most astonishing of all, the Palace is fitted with underground sewerage system and has a cool room connected with a tunnel which brings cool air from the basement.

The Sheesh Mahal, Patiala     It was built in the reign of Maharaja Narinder Singh (1845-1862) in a forest with terraces, gardens, fountains and an artificial lake. With two watching towers in the north and the south the lake is connected to Banasar Ghar, where all type of stuffed animals are kept and Sheesh Mahal, the residential palace with a suspension bridge which is a copy of the Lakhsman Jhula at Rishikesh. Part of the three storied building is inset with pieces of reflecting mirrors and a large number of wall paintings depicting scenes from Bhagwat Puran and portraits of the Sikh Gurus. The palace has galleries displaying antique paintings, bronzes, sculptures and portraits of the Maharajas of Patiala. The highlight is the gallery which displays the world's largest collection of medals, decoration and orders of various countries.

PILGRIMAGE

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.

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).

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

CLIMATE
During temperature is around 45*C to 50*C, In the rainy season the weather is hot and humid. The climate is cool and pleasant during winters and this is the best time for the travelers to visit Punjab.

State Capital                  Chandigarh
Area Covered                50,362 sq Km
Languages                     Punjabi, Hindi, English
Best Time to Visit         October to March