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| Discovering the great Punjab
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The state slated to be India's favourite destination by 2010-11. By Clint Misquitta
The Punjab, a region in Northern India – is also one of the oldest inhabited regions in India. It has a long history and a rich cultural heritage. The cradle of the Indus Valley civilization, its recorded beginnings speak of the great Aryan migration from the eastern plains and tells of the battle that displaced the local people to the southern regions of India. Thus Punjab became home to one of the most evolved people of the ancient world. Ever since, it has been a royal journey for this opulent state that boasts of its fertile land, lucrative crop, mighty monarchs, brave people and an energetic and passionate lifestyle.
Today, Punjab has journeyed into the 21st century with credence that few other states can sustain. It has journeyed through history and in every instance stood for what it is to be an Indian state: deep, diverse and rooted in tradition. Even though over a period of time, it has been influenced by various civilizations such as the Persians, Greeks, Egyptians, Afghans, and Mongols it has still been a witness to the great Indian legacy – a crown jewel of the Indian state.
The Indian Punjab historically was part of a larger geography. After the partition of India, the Punjab region was divided between India and Pakistan. The Indian Punjab was then further trifurcated into Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh in 1966.
If you visit Punjab, the first significant thing that will strike you is it`s fauna. As you travel around Punjab, you will unravel the cultural diversity of the state. The word Punjab is a combination of the words, “punj”, which means five and “ab”, which means water, therefore literally meaning Land of Five Rivers. A drive down the interior regions of Punjab, will give you a glimpse of the fertility of this land and the economic prosperity the rivers have brought along the shores. Punjab has traditionally been a land of farmers.
Agriculture is the largest industry in Punjab; the surplus Punjab produces makes it the largest wheat producing state in India. This great granary of India also grows rice, sugarcane, fruits and vegetables. Punjab has found its way onto the economic map of India. This has helped Punjab grow at a steady rate of more than 5% each year with a healthy per capita income and standard of living. Punjab has seen a shift in the last decade from being a predominantly agrarian economy to one that is also generating revenue from the services sector. This has given the much needed boost to the primary agrarian sector in terms of banking, trade and most importantly infrastructure. This now offers Punjab a healthy economic balance.
What you will also experience in Punjab are the deep rooted stories of the past, the royal Punjabi palaces, battlefields that made history and of course world famous Sikh architecture. These are given, you cannot miss it and you wouldn’t want to. However, if you truly want to experience Punjab, no one can tell its story better than its own people. Seeing Punjab through their eyes is a soulful experience that no book can provide and no money can buy. So on your next trip to the land of the Indus make sure you shake hands with the broad, brawny, brave and passionate Punjabi.
That’s right, the people of the Punjab are called Punjabis and they speak a language called Punjabi – a language with a smile and a twist in its tones, well rounded syllables spoken with a passion and a dash of subtle humor. The language is strong and so are the people. The sons of the soil place their faith predominantly in three main religions, namely Sikhism, Hinduism, and Islam. Around the time of the 15th Century, Guru Nanak Dev founded the Sikh religion, which quickly came to prominence in the region. The faith and tradition has also been shaped and influenced by the Mauryan and Mughal Empires and the British Raj.
All in all, the first thing you will notice about the Punjabi is that he is in the moment always, a smile on the face and a confident disposition makes for a good first encounter. A cab ride to the hotel and you are sure to find a verbose driver with a huge moustache and a colorful turban. The radio will be playing the latest tune with beats that will have your heart thumping and your head nodding. You will almost want to sing along, alas, you may not know the language but you will be able to throw in a few fillers “òye`, òye`, `oye`”. Now, if you are really in the mood, throw you hands in the air and move your legs to the beat and you`ll be doing one of the many musical art forms typical to Punjab, the Bhangra. This dance form is growing in popularity in Indian films and also in the West. Elements of this music are being mixed with western music and many of these compositions have found their way in international discotheques and clubs and even won many an award. Now with all this dancing and thumping you will also need to work up a healthy appetite. If you are one of those who likes good food then you are in the right place. Generous, spicy, delectable and rich food will make its way to the table; this you can be sure of. Some of the traditional dishes you must try are matar paneer, dal makhani, aloo parathas, chole bature and if that’s not enough try the delicious lassi, a milk based refreshing drink which will do its bit in cooling you off on a hot Punjab afternoon. The food is rich in butter and oil and can set you up for a binge if you are not careful. The people of Punjab live in the colder regions of Northern India and being farmers have had to toil for a living. This has indeed vastly influenced the food habits of the people.
If you plan visiting Punjab, plan your trip between October and March. During this period, Punjab experiences winter. Tourists are advised to carry woolen clothes as the temperature drops down to about 5ºC at night. The average temperature during daytime in winter is about 12°C. Punjab is a safe place to be in for the tourist, the infrastructure ensures that the connectivity is good. The Grand Trunk Road and National Highways connect Punjab with the rest of the country. The state is also connected by railways to the different parts of the country. Amritsar, Ludhiana, Pathankot, Jalandhar and Chandigarh are the major railway stations and cities of Punjab.
When you have satisfied your senses with what the cities have to offer and want to settle down and experience the culture, ancient civilization, spirituality and epic history then you are truly ready for Punjab. Punjab has been a meeting point between Hinduism and Sikhism and you will see that in aspects of the celebrated Punjabi culture, palaces and temples. Some places of historical significance you can see in are Ropar, Dholbaha, Kiratpur, Ghuram and Rohira. The Ferozepur Fort, Fort of Hansi and the forts of Abohar, Bhatinda, Sirsa and Bhatnair are some of the important forts of Punjab that unveil the glorious past of the state. The Golden Temple is one of the principle tourist sites of the state. Located in Amritsar, this temple is the largest Gurudwara in the world and one of the most important shrines of the Sikhs. Each year, it attracts millions of devotees from across the whole world to see its unique architecture.
Among the other popular tourist attractions of Punjab are the Jallianwala Bagh Martyr's Memorial. This site bears the tragic imprints of the atrocities carried out against several innocent people of Punjab. Spare a moment for the bravado of these determined martyrs before you make your next stop at the Qila Mubarak in Patiala. Being the home of the Patiala Kingdom, this wonder houses the Sheesh Palace, Palace of Moons, Bagh Ghar and Moti Palace, among other regal wonders. You must also visit the Sarai Amanat Khan, known for its Mughal architecture; The Leisure Valley, the Moti Bagh Palace, the Yadavendra Gardens and Capitol Complex. Don’t fret; it’s not as hectic as it sounds. You won’t be running around too much if you chart your trip out well. Punjab is a treasure trove for an avid tourist. You will be enchanted with its tolerant, progressive and logical approach to life.
Currently tourism is a swiftly expanding sector in Punjab which is slated to be India's favourite destination by 2010-11. So set your sails and greet the wind because today it blows you towards this great destination. You cannot visit this enchanting land without imbibing its essence, it’s every nook throbs with an excitement that stills the hands of time and leaves the traveler with cherished memories to take back home.
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Post-graduate Degree in Human Resources from the Mumbai Educational Trust and Graduate Degree in Commerce from Mumbai University. He presently works at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. Recently published "Ruthless Dictators", by Magna Publishers. |
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