Punjab

HISTORICAL

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum (Amritsar) Matchless collection of paintings, arms and armours. manuscript and coins of 18th and 19th Century.

Anandpur Sahib Fort (Ropar) This place has a number of historical Gurudwaras, with a backdrop of Naina Devi Hill.

Anglo-Sikh War Memorial (Ferozeshah) Was set-up here in 1976 A.D. The portraits of significant historical personality and battle scenes executed by artists, Jaswant Singh and Kirpal Singh and some of the weapons used in those days are on display here.

Art Gallery at Sheesh Mahal Patiala, contains a rare set of miniature paintings and paintings in Kangra, Rajasthan and Patiala styles, special section on Tibetan Arts and Artifacts etc. and its Medal Gallery contains the world's major group of Medals and decorations.

Bahia Fort (Bhatinda) 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.

Bahadurgarh Fort (6 kms from Patiala) Bahadurgarh Fort 6 kms from Patiala, initially founded by Nawab Saif Khan in 1658. The present fort was built by Maharaja Karam Singh of Patiala in 1837.

Faridkot Fort (30 Km south of Ferozepur) Reputed to be 700 years old, noteworthy for the hall of mirrors and wall paintings called Sheesh Mahals these halls of mirrors were copied in Rajasthan style and were actually the prayer rooms of the ruling family.

Gandhi Gate (Amritsar) Popularly recognized as Hall Gate, it is the entry to the shopping hub of Amritsar - Hall Bazaar. A classic maharaja type gate with a clock and a Glow sign which reads "Amritsar - Sifti Da Ghar" .

Govt.Museum At this museum fossils and rare sculptures collected from the archaeological site of Dholbaha are on display. The rare relics displayed here date back to the Stone age.

Jallianwala Bagh (Amritsar) Is a peaceful park with picnicking families and college kids, but move to a section of the wall which still has visible bullet marks, and you will be reminded of one of the most horrific events in colonial Indian history.

Kuka Memorial (Ludhiana) 130 years ago Giani Rattan Singh and Sant Rattan Singh, two Namdhari sikhs (Kookas), were hanged from one of the branches of this banyan tree in full public view for having powerfully closed down a number of slaughterhouses opened by the British in the state.

Pushpa Gujral Science City Pushpa Gujral Science City is the biggest and the second Science City in India. Located on Jalandhar-Kapurthala road in an area of 72 acres, it is named after the mother of former Prime Minister of India Shri I.K. Gujral.

Qila Mubarak (Patiala) The Qila (fort) was also the abode of Patiala dynasty. The housing part was called Qila Androon or the Inner Fort.

Quila Mubarak (Bhatinda) The Qila (fort) was also the residence of Patiala dynasty. The housing part was called Qila Androon or the Inner Fort.

Sanghol Museum Located on Chandigarh-Ludhiana road (40 km from Chandigarh), one can vision a repository of archaeological finds of Punjab's very old civilization at the Sanghol museum.

Sardar Bhagat Singh Museum Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Museum has been constructed to pay homage to the great revolutionary martyrs of the Punjab, who laid down their lives for the liberation of their motherland.

Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial Situated at Ferozepur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial has been made to commit to memory the great heroes - Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev - who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the nation.

Shahpur Kandi Fort (7 Km from Pathankot) Shahpur Kandi Fort, 7 Km from Pathankot: This 16th century fort nestles at the foot of the towering Himalayas and overlooks the river Ravi. Is a comfortable rest-house now.

Sports Museumz, National Institute of Sports, Patiala Only one of its kind exhibition centre, this museum contains rare photographs, medals and kits of the great Indian sportsmen. It is set in the sylvan surroundings of Moti Bagh Palace.

Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit SinghSummer place of Maharaja Ranjit Singh: Is situated in the middle of a beautiful garden called Ram bagh.

The Sheesh Mahal It was built in the reign of Maharaja Narinder Singh (1845-1862) in a forest with terraces, gardens, fountains and an artificial lake.

Wagah Border Wagah is an army outpost on Indo-Pak border - between Amritsar and Lahore. I had the opportunity to witness a ritual of 'madness' at this border post recently.

Anglo Sikh War Memorial (Ferozepur) Anglo Sikh War Memorial (Ferozepur), contains portraits of historical personalities, paintings, depicting scenes of battles of the Anglo-Sikh Wars.

SPIRITUAL

Anandpur Sahib Gurudwara Damdama Sahib place of coronation of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Panj Piaras (five beloved ones) were baptized here. Sikhs were consummated as the Khalsa

Baba Bakala (Amritsar) Proceed to Baba Bakala (21 kms/45 minutes), a place associated with the ninth Sikh guru, Shri Tegh Bahadur, having a magnificent gurudwara where people gather in thousands on every Amavas.

Deena Kangar (Bhatinda) Deena Kangar is about 35 km. away from Bathinda, which is well-known for a Historical Letter 'Zafarnama' written by Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji to Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, which becomes the cause of his death.

Durgiana Mandir 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.

Fatehgarh Sahib The two youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh were martyred at this spot on December 27, 1704. They along with the Gurus mother Mata Gujri had been captured by the governor of Sirhind Wazir Khan.

Goindwal Sahib A few kilometers away from Tarn Taran is the town of Goindwal, where Guru Amar Das established a new centre for preaching Sikhism. A 'Baoli', well paved with 84 steps was constructed here.

Gurdwara Achal Sahib (Dist. Gurdaspur) During his travels Guru Nanak stopped here at the middle of the Nathpanthi Yogis. Many people gathered to meet and hear the Guru and this caused jealousy among the Yogis that they were being ignored.

Gurdwara Chaubara Sahib (Goindwal, Dist. Amritsar) This was the family home of Guru Amar Das who founded the town of Goindwal and settled down here upon becoming Guru on the advice of Guru Amar Das.

Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak (Dist. Gurdaspur) After a duration of travel and converting the masses Guru Nanak settled down here at Kartarpur on his farm on the banks of the river Ravi. Guru Nanak discarded his pilgrims clothing and adopted the clothes of a householder.

Gurdwara Khadoor Sahib (Dist. Amritsar) This was the family home of Guru Angad Dev. The Guru settled here when he was married to Mata Khivi and raised their three children here.

Gurdwara Patal Puri (Kiratpur, Dist. Ropar) Guru Hargobind in 1644 as well as Guru Har Rai in 1661 was cremated here. The ashes of Guru Harkrishan were brought from Delhi and immersed here in the river Sutlej in 1664.

Gurdwara Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib) The Historical Gurudwara Of Kesgarh Sahib. At Takht Kesgarh Sahib , Khalsa Was Born On The Day Of Baisakhi.Now Baisahi is celebrated with lot of JOSH all over punjab.Also the farmers cut their crops on this day and enjoy a lot.

Gurdwara Tarn Taran Sahib Around 1590 Guru Arjan Dev set out on a tour of the country between the rivers Ravi and Beas.

Har Mandir Sahib or Golden Temple 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.

Mata Mandir Temple An impressive older devout lady developed this Hindu temple located at Rani Ka Bagh, on the lines of holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi at Katra (Jammu), the temple draws crowds of devotee from far and near.

Mazaar of Peer Haji Rattan (Bhatinda) Situated between the Civil Hospital and the grain Market. It attracts devotees from all faiths.

Muktsar-Bhatinda Mukatsar the city of Gurudwaras is 50 km. away from Bathinda is recognized as 'Guru Ki Daab'.

Ram Tirth (Amritsar) 16 Kilometers west of Amritsar on Choganwan road is Ram Tirath, commemorating Maharishi Balmik Ji's hermitage.

Rauza Sharif of Sheikh Ahmed Farooqi (Mujadid Alif-saani at Sirhind) Can be reached both from Patiala, 50 Kms north as well as from Chandigarh by road and by train.

Samadhi of Baba Rode Shah  This is an exclusive and well-liked tomb that lies on the Amritsar-Majitha road. One of the few places in India where offerings and prasad are given in the form of IMFL (Indian-made foreign liquor) or country liquor.

Sri Akal Takht (Amritsar) Akal Takht literally means Eternal Throne. It is part of the Golden Temple complex and is situated on the other end of the causeway connected to the Harmandir Sahib.

Takht Damdama Sahib (Bhatinda) Talwandi Sabbo is hardly 35 km. from Bathinda city where Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji examined the loyalty of Bhai Dalla.

Unique Moorish Mosque (Kapurthala) Located near the railway station it was built in 1930 during the reign of the last Maharaja of Kapurthala, Jagatjit Singh.

Gurdwara Ber Sahib (Kapurthala) At this spot Guru Nanak would go bathing early in the mornings in the Bein River previous to meditation.

LAKES

Harike Lake The lake is triangular in shape, with its apex in the west, a bund, called the Dhussi Bund forming one side, a canal the second and a major road the third.

Kali Bein River Kali Bein River emerges from a spring near Hoshiarpur, flows through Kapurthala and Sultanpur Lodhi, to meet the Sutlej near Harike Pattan. It has a length of 160 km.

Kanjli Lake During 1870, Kanjli lake came into formation with the construction of a small barrage . The lake is thus a freshwater source. Maximum depth of water varies from 10 to 25 feet depending upon the season and water inflow.

Nangal Lake Situated in the distrinct of Ropar, Nangal Lake is Nominated to Ministry of Env. & Forest for inclusion

Ropar Lake Situated in the Ropar distrinct, Ropar Lake was the subject of a 1994 publication by WWF-India as part of their series on Ramsar Sites of India.

ADVENTURE & WILDLIFE

Harike Wetland Harike is the biggest wetland in northern India. It is a vital staging post and the winter home of a enormous concentration of migratory waterfowl that rivals only

Kanjli Wetland Maharaja of Kapurthala had built a lake after making a barrage on river Kali Bein. Many rivulet discharges into this river and a beautiful lake is still there.

Zoological Park Chhatbir Situated at a distance of 20 km from Chandigarh and 55 km from Patiala is the Zoological Park, Chhatbir.