About
Punjab, famously referred to as ‘The land of five rivers’, is situated in the north western part of India. This fertile land ranks amongst the most ancient civilizations in the world. Punjab is also famous for its religious diversity as it was here many religious movements were initiated. The scenic landscape, rich history and famous religious sites are the most important reasons for increasing the number of visits by tourists. The main Traditional Punjabi food are – Sarson ka saag, Shahi paneer, Dal makhni, Rajma, Chole, Aloo, Chicken karahi, Chicken Tandori, makki di Roti, Naan, Phulka, Puri, Papad, Lassi, Kheer, rabri. Culture and Tradition of Punjab – The culture of Punjab is the richest culture in the world. Its diversity and uniqueness is evident in the Punjabi poetry, philosophy, spirituality, education, artistry, music, cuisine, science, technology, military warfare, architecture, traditions, values and history.
1. Sukhna Lake
A must-go-to place for locals and tourists. Sukhna means “Requesting for wish fulfillment“. Seated nicely in the foothills of Shivaliks, Sukhna Lake Chandigarh is exquisite in its way.Sukhna has a membership-based Lake Club with lawns, a gym, indoor games, swimming pool and tennis courts with both synthetic and grass courts. Boating, rowing, sculling, sailing, kayaking and water skiing can be enjoyed throughout the year. Sukhna is a sanctuary for many exotic migratory birds like the Siberian duck, storks and cranes, during the winter months. The lake has been declared as a protected national wetland by the Government of India. During summers, there are streams of men, women and children from all walks of life offering voluntary service to desilt the lake bed for about three months. This annual ritual has been a regular feature since long ago. Sukhna Lake is the venue for many festive celebrations, too. The most popular is the Mango Festival held during the monsoons when scores of varieties of mangoes are on display. From time-to-time, other food festivals featuring specialties from different Indian States are also held here, along with cultural performances.
2. Rock Garden
The Rock Garden of Chandigarh is a sculpture garden for rock enthusiasts in Chandigarh, India. It is also known as Nek Chand Saini’s Rock Garden after its founder Nek Chand Saini, a government official who started the garden secretly in his spare time in 1957. It has spread over an area of 40 acres and is completely built from industrial, home waste, and discarded items. Some of the scenes in the 2021 film Sher Shah were filmed in the Rock Garden. It consists of man-made interlinked waterfalls and many other sculptures that have been made of scrap and other kinds of waste (bottles, glasses, bangles, tiles, ceramic pots, sinks, electrical waste, broken pipes, etc.) which are placed in walled paths.The garden is visited by over 5,000 people daily, with more than 12 million visitors since its inception. Women celebrate the Teej Festival at Rock Garden Chandigarh.
3. Golden Temple
Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib Amritsar) is not only a central religious place of the Sikhs, but also a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. Everybody, irrespective of caste, creed or race can seek spiritual solace and religious fulfillment without any hindrance. It also represents the distinct identity, glory and heritage of the Sikhs. The word Harmandir means Everyone’s House. The man-made pool (sarovar) representing sikh culture was completed by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das, in 1577. In 1604, Guru Arjan placed a copy of the Adi Granth in Harmandir Sahib. The Golden Temple is an open house of worship for all people, from all walks of life and faiths. The complex is a collection of buildings around the sanctum and the pool. The Golden Temple’s architecture reflects different architectural practices prevalent in the Indian subcontinent, as various iterations of the temple were rebuilt and restored. The Golden Temple complex originally was open and had numerous trees around the pool.
4. Rose Garden
It is a botanical garden in Chandigarh, India and spread over 30 acres. The garden has not only roses, but also trees of medicinal values. Some of the medicinal plants that can be spotted here are bel, bahera, harar, camphor and yellow gulmohar. The rose plants have been planted in carved-out lawns and flower beds. Apart from serving as a host of other events, the Zakir Rose Garden serves as the venue for hosting an annual rose festival called Rose Festival, a major cultural event in Chandigarh during February or March. Celebrated mainly as a tribute to the magnificence of the rose itself, the attractions include food, drinks, joyrides, and contests of varying nature, such as photography, gardening, landscaping, bonsai, and Rose Prince and Princess. The contests are open to the residents or institutions from nearby places.
5. Garden of Silence
Hosting a seated statuette of Lord Buddha amidst concentric circular stairs, Garden of Silence in Chandigarh stands for what the city is defined for. The visual calmness arising from the ambience of Garden of Silence, Chandigarh differentiates it from its contemporaries in many ways. Chandigarh is known as the city of gardens that are lush green and have some amazing features but this garden of silence is a bit different. While many of you might not be knowing the exact location of this beautiful place in Chandigarh, so thought about shedding some light.
Chandigarh is situated at the backside of the famous Sukhna lake where the 1800 m long jogging track and walkway ends.Garden of Silence in Chandigarh is the most sought after place by all the people belonging to different age groups. Be it any time, month or season, Garden of Silence in Chandigarh never fails to amuse you with the perfect amalgamation of physical, mental and social calmness. If you get a chance to visit this place during late evening hours, then the lights over here will be a perfect delight to watch.
6. Fun City Waterpark
As the name suggests, this amusement and water park is full of fun activities which will keep you on your toes the entire day. It is one of the most amazing amusement and water parks in the Punjab region, this place has everything for everyone in your family. Spread across 43 acres of land, this is a must-visit destination if you are in or around Tricity. It is just 20 km away from Chandigarh and is on the Panchkula-Nada Sahib Gurudwara Highway. The amusement Park in Surya Funcity is one of its kind with more than 20 hydraulic rides for all age groups. The management makes sure to follow the highest standards of safety, and thus you need not worry about any technical errors. Many of the amazing rides that will bring excitement in your life.
7. Pinjore Gardens
Pinjore Gardens is a 17th century historic garden located in Pinjore city of Panchkula district in the Indian state of Haryana. Panchkula city is nearby. It is an example of the Mughal Gardens architectural style, which was renovated by the Patiala Dynasty Sikh Rulers. It was built by Fadai Khan. The garden in the city of Pinjore on the Ambala-Shimla road, near the ancient 8th century open-air archeological museum site of Bhima Devi Temple Complex, is 22 kilometers from Chandigarh, 5 kilometers from UNESCO World Heritage Kalka–Shimla Railway and 255 kilometers from Delhi. It is approachable by road, rail and air from all parts of the country. It doesn’t just have a vast expanse of beautiful flora but also houses a mini zoo, an area dedicated to historic places, a serene Japanese garden, a splendid nursery and some areas that serve as picnic spots. So, the Gardens have enough for everyone, be it kids or adults. Many believe that the Pandava brothers rested here for a while during their exile. The best time to explore the gardens is in the evening. The entire garden is lit up after sunset in such a way that the ambience of the garden changes completely.
8. ISKCON Temple
ISKCON(International Society for Krishna Consciousness) was established in 1966 by Srila Prabhupad to systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world. Besides weekly gatherings, devotees within the ISKCON movement celebrate a diverse array of Hindu festivals, including Janmashtami, Radhastami, Diwali, Gaura Purnima, Ekadasi, Holi, Rama Navami, and Gita Jayanti. The Ratha Yatra Festival of Chariots is an annual parade whereby devotees chant and dance on the street, pulling a chariot with the deities of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra behind them. This public procession is typically followed by performances and free vegetarian food. ISKCON advocates preaching. Members try to spread Krishna consciousness primarily by singing the Hare Krishna mantra in public places and by selling books written by the founder.
9. Terraced Garden
Contemporary terrace gardens, in addition to being in the garden and landscape, often occur in urban areas and are terrace architecture elements that extend out from an apartment or residence at any floor level other than ground level. They are often discussed in conjunction with roof gardens, although they are not always true roof gardens, instead being balconies and decks. These outdoor spaces can become lush gardens through the use of container gardening, automated drip irrigation and low-flow irrigation systems, and outdoor furnishings. The gardens are the ideal place for nature lovers and travelers to visit, to experience a beautiful day in Chandigarh in the lap of nature, and to enjoy the much-needed relief from the daily monotonous schedule. The gardens are also especially popular amongst youngsters and couples, who flock to the park in large numbers to enjoy a few moments of peaceful silence. The exuberance of the flowers is indeed contagious, and people who visit the Terraced Gardens never leave without a huge smile on their faces.
10. Musical Fountain Show sector 17
The Musical Fountain show is a famous entertaining concept and a glamorous fusion of music and fountains with lights, located at sector 17 in Chandigarh. Musical Fountain Show is held in Chandigarh and is a popular place of recreation and sightseeing. The show is held in the evening hours and is a wonderful display of water fountains dancing to a rhythmic music. The place is thronged by locals and tourists alike to visit the show. Best in the evening time when every light reflects its proper view. Fountain with soul music attracts many visitors. make your weekend evenings more beautiful with your loved ones by visiting the Musical Fountain. It’s a romantic place to visit if you are out on a date.
11. Chattbir Zoo
Chhatbir Zoo (formally Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park), is a zoological park situated close to Zirakpur, India. The zoo was constructed in the 1970s and is home to a large variety of birds, mammals and reptiles. Chattbir has India’s longest walk-in aviary with 300m long walk showcases 32 species of indigenous and exotic birds The section is made in five different themes including Terrestrial, Rock & Duck, Woodland, Japanese Trail and Rainforest. The work on the zoo had started long back in the seventies and today it has been developed as a full-fledged zoological park. The Royal Bengal tiger is the pride of Chattbir zoo and if you are fortunate enough, you might be able to catch its glimpse. Visitors are taken on adventurous trips to the tiger reserves, where animals roam about freely. You can also find distinctive species of birds over here. The zoo is open on all days except for Mondays.
12. Government Museum and Art Gallery
Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh, is a premier museum of North India having collections of Gandharan sculptures, sculptures from ancient and medieval India, Pahari and Rajasthani miniature paintings. It owes its existence to the partition of India in August, 1947. Prior to the partition, much of the collections of art objects, paintings and sculptures present here were housed in the Central Museum, Lahore, the then capital of Punjab. The museum has one of the largest collections of Gandharan artifacts in the world. The Natural History Museum was founded in 1973, created by Dr. M.S. Randhawa, the first Chief Commissioner of the union territory and renowned Biologist. The museum has four major sections, focusing on earliest human settlements around the area of the city, biological evolution, dinosaurs of the Indian subcontinent, and human evolution.
13. International Doll Museum
The International Dolls Museum is first of its kind in India and museologically showcases a precious and invaluable collection of heritage dolls of about 32 different countries comprising exotic and indigenous dolls with historical, socio-cultural, geographical, artistic, fashion design and costume features. The museum attained its international status after the ambitious museum upgradation project which was launched by H.E. and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh. The museum has high footfall including dignitaries; foreign and domestic tourists; scholars and young and old alike and is hence well received by the society.The main collections of Dolls Museum are of 150 types of Indian costume dolls created at the own workshop of the museum which is located inside the museum. The craftsmen create the dolls with utmost perfection to create a symphony of the physical features, costumes and ornaments. In the pageant are characters from India’s unique classical dance, Kathakali, with its lavish costumes. These dolls which have been received as gifts from doll lovers and others from across the world are truly reflective of the rich culture and tradition of Indian and foreign states.
14. Open hand monument
The Open Hand Monument is a symbolic structure designed by the architect Le Corbusier and located in the Capitol Complex of the Indian city and union territory of Chandigarh. It is the emblem and symbol of the Government of Chandigarh and symbolizes “the hand to give and the hand to take; peace and prosperity, and the unity of mankind”.The largest example of Le Corbusier’s many Open Hand sculptures, it stands 26 meters (85 ft) high. The metal structure with vanes is 14 meters (46 ft) high, weighs 50 short tons, and was designed to rotate in the wind.He had planned to erect the Open Hand against the scenic background of the Himalayas. He called the location he had selected the “Pit of Contemplation” (Fosse de la Consideration). The design was a huge elevated object (a wind vane), which was an “inspirational symbol of humanity unarmed, fearless, and spiritually receptive”. The sculpture was hand-cast in sheet metal at the Bhakra Nangal Management Board’s workshop at Nangal. The surface of the vane is covered with polished steel and is fitted over a steel shaft with ball bearings to facilitate free rotation by the wind.
15. Garden of Fragrance
At a distance of 4 km from Chandigarh Bus Station, Garden of Fragrance is one of the prominent gardens located in Sector 36 of Chandigarh. The garden is one of the best picnic spots in Chandigarh and also one of the popular Chandigarh tourist places. The Garden of Fragrance was built in 1998. The garden is known for its pleasant smelling assortment of flowering plants, and hence the name, ‘Garden Of Fragrance’. Some of the fragrant plants that can be found here are Raat ki rani, damask rose, motia, champa, haar shingar, mehndi and varieties of jasmine. The park also serves as a fabulous picnic spot.
The garden has been properly landscaped with winding paths surrounded by plants and trees. Jogging and walking tracks have been laid out in the garden for the convenience of early risers, and those who wish to enjoy a morning or evening walk in the beautiful and refreshing surroundings. The garden has lots of open spaces, where visitors can engage in games and physical activities. The routes and paths inside the garden look beautiful because of the surrounding natural beauty.
16. Mansa Devi Temple
Mata Mansa Devi is a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti, in the Panchkula district of Haryana state in India. The temple complex is spread of 100 acres of the Shivalik foothills in the village of Bilaspur, near Sector 13 (earlier known as Mani Majra) of Chandigarh, and Panchkula, 10 km from Chandi Mandir, another noted Devi shrine in the region, both just outside Chandigarh. It is one of the prominent Shakti Peetha temples of North India involving 7 Shakti goddesses, namely Mata Mansa Devi, Naina Devi, Jawalamukhi, Chintpurni, Brajeshwari, Chamunda Devi and Jayanti Devi. Thousands of devotees visit the shrine from various parts of the country, and especially during the Navratri mela, this number rises to lakhs every day for the nine auspicious days.
17. Thunder Zone
While most of the rides here are more mildly entertaining than actually thrilling, the water attractions range from amusing to exhilarating, with a kiddy pool for little guests, a wave pool for those with a bit more height, and a slide pool with four different types of slides, all around 30 feet (9 meters) high. Visitors can book separate tickets to the water park and amusement park or buy combo passes for both at a discount.hunder Zone is open daily from midmorning until evening in the summer months (from April through October), with reduced hours in winter (November through March). It’s at its busiest on weekends, particularly Sundays, and during local school holidays, and least busy on weekday mornings when school is in session. Thunder Zone is located in the Punjabi town of Mohali, due west of Chandigarh. It’s about a half-hour drive from the Chandigarh Railway Station. The nearest bus stop is about a 25-minute walk away, not too pleasant in the heat, so it’s easiest to visit by taxi or as part of a customizable, full-day Chandigarh tour.
18. Fateh Burj
The Fateh Burj, the tallest minar in India, is situated in the historical village of Chappar Chiri in the SAS Nagar district (Mohali district) of Punjab state. It was completed in 2011. The 328 feet (100 m) tower was dedicated to the establishment of the Sikh Misls in a large part of Punjab in 1711. Chappar Chiri village is along the Kharar-Banur Road National Highway 205A (India), now officially named Banda Singh Bahadur Road. It is situated just outside Mohali, a few kilometers from Landran and 20 km from Sirhind. It was here that Banda Singh Bahadur, one of the most respected Sikh warriors, won a decisive battle against Wazir Khan, commander of the Mughal army.The memorial complex has statues of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and his five generals, who while standing on the mounds were commanding the Khalsa army fighting the Mughal forces under the command of Wazir Khan. By winning this historical battle, Baba Banda Singh ji avenged the martyrdom of younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh ji and established the first Khalsa reign
19. The Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum, Chandigarh, is situated in the outer corner of the museum campus in Sector-10, Chandigarh, sharing the expansive space with the Government Museum and Art Gallery and the Architecture Museum. The exhibits in this museum cover 5,000 years of Indian history, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the present day. Earlier known as the Museum of Evolution of Life or Science Museum, it was inaugurated on August 13, 1973, as one wing of the Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh. The idea of having a museum complex housing three museums of knowledge –art, science, and architecture–was concretised by Le Corbusier. The actual designing was done by Mr Shiv Dutt Sharma and his team of architects..The museum complex, which houses the three museums, is situated on the other side of the road parallel to the tree-lined stretches of Leisure Valley and has many open-air sculptural artworks on display. Nestled in the outer edge of the complex, the museum building is laid out in two sections that face each other. One section is reserved for the administrative office, storage spaces, and washrooms. The other section, with two levels, houses the museum collection. On the lower level, in front of the entrance, is the reception and waiting area, the Masol titled ‘Redefining Past’, the ‘Evolution of Life Cyclorama’ hall and the Museum In-charge’s office.
20. Nangal Wetlands
Located in the Shivalik foothills of Punjab is the highly eco-sensitive Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, which supports abundant flora and fauna including threatened species, such as the endangered Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and the vulnerable leopard (Panthera pardus). It occupies a human-made reservoir constructed as part of the Bhakra-Nangal Project in 1961. The site is of historic importance as the Indian and Chinese Prime Ministers formalized the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” there in 1954. More than half a million people downstream benefit from the reservoir as the flow of water is regulated, reducing the risks to both people and property from floods. The Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation (Rupnagar Wildlife Division), Punjab is responsible for managing the Sanctuary.
21. Jallianwala Bagh
Jallianwala Bagh is a historic garden and ‘Memorial of National Importance’ close to the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab, India, preserved in the memory of those wounded and killed in the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre that occurred on the site on the festival of Baisakhi, 13 April 1919. The 7-acres site houses a museum, gallery and several memorial structures. It is managed by the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust. Since the massacre, Jallianwala Bagh has been the site of a number of official and public visits. The entrance to Jallianwala Bagh is via a narrow passage, the same passage that was the only entry and exit point at the time of the massacre and the same route that General Dyer and his troops took to reach the grounds. At the entrance is a statue of Udham Singh. Once entered, some old trees can be seen in the garden with some buildings at the back. With the words ‘Vande Mataram‘, a flame titled Amar Jyoti (Eternal Flame) is seen burning to the right under a domed meditation area.
22. Wagah border
The border crossing draws its name from Wagah village, near which the Radcliffe Line, the boundary demarcation line dividing India and Pakistan upon the Partition of British India, was drawn. The Wagah-Attari border ceremony happens at the border gate, two hours before sunset each day. Soldiers from both countries march in perfect drill, going through the steps of bringing down their respective national flags.The flag ceremony is conducted by the Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border Security Force (BSF). As the sun goes down, nationalistic fervour rises and lights are switched on marking the end of the day amidst thunderous applause.The pomp and pageantry of the Beating Retreat and the Change of Guard within handshaking distance of the Indian and Pakistani forces makes for a most charming spectacle.The ceremony starts with a blustering parade by the soldiers from both sides and ends up in the perfectly coordinated lowering of the two nations’ flags. As the sun sets, the iron gates at the border are opened and the two flags are lowered simultaneously. The flags are folded and the ceremony ends with a retreat that involves a brusque handshake between soldiers from either side, followed by the closing of the gates again. The spectacle of the ceremony attracts many visitors from both sides of the border, as well as international tourists.
23. Sheesh Mahal
Sheesh Mahal, in Urdu language, literally means ‘Crystal Palace’. However, with decorations and intricate mirror-work inlaid into the white marble walls and ceilings creating a gleaming effect, the lavish room has come to be known as ‘Palace of Mirrors’, and sometimes the ‘Hall of Mirrors’.The Sheesh Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan. It was built in the middle of Jahangir’s rule. The façade, consisting of five cusped marble arches supported by coupled columns, opens into the courtyard. The engraved spandrels and bases are inlaid with precious stones. The pavilion is in the form of a semi-octagon, and consists of apartments roofed with gilded cupolas and intricately decorated with pietra dura and convex glass and mirror mosaic (ayina kari) with thousands of small mirrors. At night they light candles. The decorative features also include stucco tracery (munabat kari) and carved marble screens in geometrical and tendril designs. The roof of the central hall rises up to two storeys. The hall was originally decorated with fresco paintings that were later replaced with glass mosaics in different colors.
24.Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Museum
Shaheed E Azam Bhagat Singh Museum is located at Khatkar Kalian, the ancestral village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. The museum is close to Chandigarh, Nawanshahr, and Jalandhar. The museum provides detailed information about Bhagat Singh and his belongings. It is a Must visit for history enthusiasts as it showcases an important leaf from India’s fight for independence. The museum is a tribute to the great legend. It exhibits a copy of Bhagwat Gita with Bhagat Singh’s autograph on it. There are also belongings of Ajit Singh, who was Bhagat Singh’s uncle. The two original pages of the notes of Bhagat are displayed here. The belongings and items exhibited here remind us about the struggle and efforts made to free India from British rule. A large number of tourists visit the museum and learn about the great heroes and their sacrifices.
25. Qila Mubarak
Qila Mubarak, is a historical monument in the heart of the city of Bathinda in Punjab, India. It is recognized as a monument of national importance and maintained by the Archeological Survey of India. Bathinda is known as the ‘City of Lakes‘ due to the three artificial lakes adjacent to the now-closed Thermal power plant in the northern part of the city. The city is also home to two modern thermal power plants, Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant and Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant at Lehra Mohabbat. Bathinda is a historical city. It was associated with the imprisonment of the first woman emperor of India, Razia Sultan in 1239 in the fort here.The fort is located in the heart of the city and according to popular belief, a river used to flow in the modern-day Bathinda city that is now a semi-arid region. The fort was considered essentially a military outpost used by rulers at different times of history.
26. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Fort
The largest city in the state of Punjab, Ludhiana boasts of housing one of the most popular places to see in the state – Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum. Spreading across four acres in area. Located on the GT Road in Ludhiana, Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum not only pays homage to the soldiers but also educates the citizens of India about the role of defense. A majestic statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh sitting proudly on a throne welcomes you as you enter the museum.A major attraction of this museum is the light and sound show which narrates the story of war of independence and the role of the gallant soldiers of Punjab in it. The show also creates a sense of nationalism among the people.
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