Indian Century

PUNJAB: PLACES TO VISIT

Punjab is a state in Northwest India, bordering Pakistan. On its Southeast is Haryana, on its Northeast is Himachal Pradesh and on its South is Rajasthan. Punjab and Haryana have the distinction of being the breadbasket of India. Punjab is the only state in India with Sikh majority; the most sacred shrine of the Sikhs (the Golden Temple) is also in this state; it is also a major tourist attraction of India.

map

Punjab Locator Map

PUNJAB STATE STATS:

50,362 Sq. Km (19,445 Sq. Mi)	Rank: 19th
POPULATION (2011): 27,704,236
CAPITAL CITY: Chandigarh
LITERACY RATE: 76.68%
HDI: 0.679	Rank: 9th
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Punjabi
Official Website: www.punjabgovt.gov.in

ANANDPUR SAHIB

GURU GOBIND SING BHAWAN PUNJABI UNIV.

MOTIBAGH PALACE
MOTIBAGH PALACE

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCAION AND RESEARCH

RANJIT SINGH BLOCK AT GURU NANAK DEV UNIVERSITY

SRI GURU RAM DASS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AMRITSAR

WAGAH BORDER LOWERING OF THE FLAG

PUNJABI BIRLS IN A CULTURAL EVENT

FESTIVALS

Bhangra:

Bhangra dance began as a folk dance conducted by Punjabi farmers to celebrate the coming of the harvest season. The specific moves of Bhangra reflect how villagers farmed their land. This hybrid dance became Bhangra. The folk dance has been popularized in the western world by Punjabis in England, Canada, and the USA where competitions are held. It is seen in the West as an expression of South Asian culture as a whole. Today, Bhangra dance survives in different forms and styles all over the globe – including pop music, film soundtracks, collegiate competitions, and cultural shows.

Lohri:

(January)

Celebrated in January, by Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims, Lohri is the arrival of longer days after the winter solstice. The significance and legends about the Lohri festival are many and these link the festival to the Punjab region. It is observed the night before Makar Sankranti, also known as Maghi, and according to the solar part of the lunisolar Vikrami calendar, and typically falls about the same date every year (January 13). Lohri is an official holiday in Punjab, the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. The festival is celebrated in Delhi and Haryana but is not a gazetted holiday.

The festival is celebrated by lighting bonfires, eating festive food, dancing and collecting gifts, singing and dancing form an intrinsic part of the celebrations. People wear their brightest clothes and this festival provides the opportunity to interact with family and friends.