Great Again - Punjab Tourism
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INDIA | PUNJAB
Making Punjab Popular for The Golden Temple, Punjab is going all out to revive
its tourism scene with farm and culture & heritage tourism
Great Again
topping the priority list so that there is more than one reason to
visit the State
by Jose Kunnappally
The Golden Temple in Amritsar
24 | Destination Reporter | January 2019 January 2019 | Destination Reporter | 25
INDIA | PUNJAB
T
palaces, battlefields from the British era, delicious Policy and revised the Tourism Policy with an aim the Central Government and is awaiting sanction.
food, bouncy Bhangra beats and joyful people, has to promote heritage & culture and tourism in the Punjab’s Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has
all it takes to be a destination of choice. State. The State government is giving special em- announced that 30 destinations with high potential
In 2017, a total of 11.08 lakh foreign tourist arrivals phasis and providing incentives to investors for the across Punjab have been chosen to be developed
(FTAs) were recorded in the State (national rank 7), development and promotion of tourism. Punjab has into world-class tourism spots. “The government
as against 6.59 lakh in 2016, while the number of taken a big leap in FTAs and is now ranked 7th in the plans to spend a whopping Rs. 590.97 crore on this
domestic tourist visits stood at 4.02 crore (national country. project. In Amritsar alone, around 11 spots will be
rank 11) as against 3.87 crore in 2016 when it was
ranked nationally as 11th in FTAs and 10th in domes-
Aiming to double tourist arrivals in the State
in the next five years, the Amarinder Singh gov-
spruced up to attract more tourists.” Minister Sidhu
also said that the pre-determined timeline for these
“Tourism will be
tic tourists. ernment in Punjab is planning to promote several developmental projects will be two years. “Tourism the driving force
A major contributor to footfalls in the State is the thematic circuits including Amritsar Circuit, Mughal will be the driving force behind Punjab's economic
Golden Temple in Amritsar which pulls in 1.25 lakh Circuit, Maharajah Circuit and Religious Circuit. growth and the State government is striving to behind Punjab's
visitors a day – more than the iconic Taj Mahal! The
other two major attractions are the Wagah Border
Agri-tours (Farm Tourism) is another segment the
government is focussing on. The DoT has shortlisted
ensure that tourism contributes at least 20 per cent
to the State's GDP.”
growth. In
where the Pakistani Rangers and India’s Border Se- 38 farm stay providers across the State, each offer- Of the sites chosen under the new tourism Amritsar alone,
he Granary of India and the land of five rivers, Punjab curity Force (BSF) personnel engage in the Beating ing 2 to 6 rooms. initiative, places such as Amritsar’s Heritage Street,
is not a destination that is on top of a leisure tourist’s the Retreat ceremony, and Jallianwalah Bagh, which Punjab State Tourism Policy 2018, which replaced Gobindgarh Fort, Wagah Border, Jallianwala Bagh, 11 spots will be
mind today. But all that can change if the govern-
ment’s renewed interest in developing tourism infra-
houses a memorial of national importance built in
1951 to commemorate the dastardly massacre of
the earlier policy dated 2003, also plans to provide
impetus to rural tourism, medical tourism, heritage
War Memorial, Partition Museum, Pul Moran and Ma-
haraja Ranjit Singh Summer Palace are top priority.
spruced up to
structure and driving promotions come to fruition. innocent unarmed civilians by the occupying British tourism and film tourism. The ministry will give special attention to develop attract more
With a high profile cricketer turned politician as
the tourism minister, Punjab Tourism is on mission
forces on Baisakhi (Punjabi New Year) day in 1919.
The tourism tagline of Punjab goes ‘India Begins
Amritsar will continue to remain the jewel in
the crown, the trump card of Punjab Tourism.
and promote Ropar town which is the site where the
agreement between Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Lord
tourists”
mode and securing ample coverage in newsprint. Here’ and the same is true in more ways than one. A Rs. 125 crore proposal for Amritsar prepared William Bentick was signed, and other places like Navjot Singh Sidhu
The State, renowned for its gurudwaras, forts and In early 2018, the State notified its first cultural under PRASAD Scheme has been submitted to Patti Fort, Virasat-E-Khalsa in Sri Anandpur Sahib, Tourism Minister, Punjab
ACCOMMODATION
Many major hos-
pitality brands are
already in Punjab. In
Amritsar, top lining
the accommodations
sector are Taj Swar-
na, Radisson Blu,
Hyatt Regency, Gold-
en Sarovar Portico,
Holiday Inn, Ramada
and Fairfield by
Marriott. In Ludhiana,
City Heart Sarovar
Portico, Park Plaza,
Hyatt Regency and
Radisson Blu have
spectacular proper-
ties for discerning
travellers. The shared
capital city of Chandi-
garh features Taj,
Hyatt Regency, JW
Marriott, The LaLiT,
The Oberoi Sukhvilas
Resort & Spa and
ITC WelcomHotel
Bella Vista, among
many others. These
apart, there are also
about 100 homestays
across the State ‘cer-
tified’ by the DoT.
Heritage Street, Amritsar
26 | Destination Reporter | January 2019 January 2019 | Destination Reporter | 27
INDIA | PUNJAB
(Clockwise): Sadda Pind,
Amritsar; Khalsa Heritage
Centre, Anandpur Sahib;
Beating the Retreat ceremo-
ny at Wagah border; Ram
Tirath, Amritsar; Sheesh Ma-
hal, Patiala; and Pul Kanjari,
Amritsar
PANJ SAROVAR
YATRA
FOR A FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE OF THE FESTIVALS OF PUNJAB This walk aims to in-
Plan your travel to Punjab in 2019 around the festive seasons of Baisakhi (14 April), Diwali (27 October) or Holla troduce the story of the
Mohalla (22 March) for an enriching experience. Baisakhi or Vaisakhi marks the Sikh New Year and commemo- five important sarovars
rates the formation of the Khalsa panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. It is also a spring harvest to the visitors and also
festival for the Sikhs. The festival is best observed in Bathinda. Diwali is celebrated in autumn as the triumph of give them an insight
good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Holla Mohalla, also called Hola, is a one-day into the evolution of
Sikh festival which most often falls in March and takes place on the second day of the lunar month of Chett, a Sikhism.
day after the Hindu spring festival of Holi but sometimes coincides with it too. The martial arts festival is best Sarovar (water
observed in Anandpur Sahib. Kila Raipur Sports Festival, popularly known as the Rural Olympics, is held annu- tank), especially at a
ally in Kila Raipur (near Ludhiana) in February. Competitions are held for major Punjabi rural sports, including sacred place or by a
cart-race, athletic events and rope pulling. holy shrine, is used for
sacramental ablutions
and other religious
AMRITSAR CRAFT WALK 6 pm. Indian nationals have to make a contribution ceremonies.
From the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) near of Rs. 25 and foreigners Rs. 75. Tourist Information The walk begins at
the Golden Temple, the Craft Walk covers nine places Centres of the DoT can offer all the details. The plac- Sri Santokhsar Sahib
of interest: Tea Market, Bazaar Kathian, Bazaar Kes- es covered are: Sarovar and moves
arian, Choora Bazaar, Pappad Bazaar, Mishri Bazaar, Town Hall along the road, passing
Herbs Market, Spice Market and Galliara. Gurdwara Saragarhi the Gurdwara Saragarhi
Qila Ahluwalia and Jallianwala Bagh
AMRITSAR HERITAGE WALK Jalebiwala Chowk along the way onto the
Starting from the Town Hall at 8 am, the Amritsar Udasin Ashram Akhara Sangalwala narrow streets to the
Heritage Walk ends at The Golden Temple at 10 am Chitta Akhara second stop of the walk,
every day. During the winter months from December Darshani Deohri Sri Bibeksar Sahib Sa-
to February, the walk starts an hour late. The walk Baba Bohar rovar. Then just across
is conducted from 6 to 8 pm and in winter from 4 to Thakurdwara Dariana Mal the street is the third pit
Chowrasti Atari stop, Sri Ramsar Sahib
Taksal Chowk Sarovar. Further on the
Sheesh Mahal, Patiala, Arms & Chandelier Gallery chalking out a detailed plan to ensure uniformity Thakurdwara Raja Tej Singh sacred Sri Guru Granth
(Qila Mubarak), Patiala and Bahadurgarh Fort, Patiala. of all the buildings, shops and establishments in a Crawling Street: Flogging Booth Sahib Marg pilgrims
“Rs. 250 In July 2018, a blueprint to develop Vira-
sat-e-Khalsa, a museum of the Sikhs, as a ‘strategic
holistic manner.
A plan to create one to five-day itineraries
Ancient Passage often walk bare-foot
in honour of the fifth
crore from tourist spot’ in the State besides upgrading the basic covering 18 select tourist destinations of Punjab PATIALA HERITAGE WALK Guru, Sri Guru Arjan
amenities and infrastructure at Sri Anandpur Sahib, has been mooted by the DoT. State War Heroes’ Starting from Sahi Samadhi at 8 am, the Patia- Dev to reach the fourth
the ADB loan the birthplace of Khalsa, was approved by Minister Memorial-cum-Museum, Golden Temple, Jallianwala la Heritage Walk ends at Qila Mubarak at 10 am on stop on this walk the Sri
has already Sidhu. The plan involves developing tented accom-
modation, budget hotels, food courts and souvenir
Bagh, Heritage Street, Partition Museum, Durgiana
Temple, Gobindgarh Fort, Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. From December to
February, the walk starts an hour late. In the evening,
Kaulsar Sahib Sarovar
before making a small
been spent shops in its vicinity. Of the Rs. 99 crore sanctioned Summer Palace, Pul Moran, Wagah Border, Tarn the walk is conducted from 6 to 8 pm and in winter visit to Sri Baba Atal
under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme by the Union Taran’s Harike Pattan, Kapurthala’s Durbar Hall and from 4 to 6 pm. Indian nationals have to make a con- Sahib. Moving forward,
on conserving Ministry of Tourism, Rs. 29 crore has been ear- Moorish Mosque, Science City, Jang-e-Aazadi Muse- tribution of Rs. 25 and foreigners Rs. 75. Tourist Infor- the walk leads the pil-
heritage marked for Sri Anandpur Sahib.
The government is also exploring the possibility
um and SBS Nagar’s Khatkar Kalan Village (Shaheed
Bhagat Singh’s Village) have made the cut. The DoT
mation Centres of the DoT can offer all the details. The
places covered are:
grims into the premises
of the Sri Harmandir
buildings and of connecting Sri Anandpur Sahib with Naina Devi in is sprucing up these destinations with world class Sahi Samadhi Sahib, passing the lan-
Himachal Pradesh by ropeway, which would further tourism infrastructure including landscaping, reno- Pammi Puria Wala gar hall to Ramgarhia
creating new enhance the tourism potential of the region. In this vating the ailing monuments and providing tourist Haveliwala Mohalla Bunga and then to the
projects” regard, an MoU has been signed by the governments.
To create a uniform façade for the holy city of Sri
amenities like toilets and washrooms, F&B outlets
and parking facilities.
Chhatta Nanumal
Bartan Bazaar
final and most sacred
sarovar, Sri Amrit Saro-
Malwinder Singh Jaggi IAS Anandpur Sahib on the lines of the Golden Temple “Today more than 70 per cent of all tourist foot- Darshini Deori var Sahib.
Director, Punjab Tourism in Amritsar, the Department of Tourism (DoT) is falls hitting the State is thanks to the Golden Temple. Qila Mubarak
28 | Destination Reporter | January 2019 January 2019 | Destination Reporter | 29
INDIA | PUNJAB
The Golden Temple (Darbar Sahib / Sri Harmandir Sahib) KEEP IN MIND
Visitors have to re-
Wagah Border between India and Pakistan in Attari village move their footwear
where India’s BSF (Border Security Force) and Pakistani Rang- The iconic Golden Temple in Amritsar has been the Guru Granth Sahib is closed, carried on the head, and deposit it at the
ers perform the ceremonial Beating the Retreat daily acknowledged as one of the most visited religious placed into and then carried in a flower decorated, Joda Ghar (show
Jallianwalah Bagh in Amritsar. tourism destinations in the world and features in pillow-bed palki (palanquin), with chanting. Its bank) located to the
Sadda Pind, Amritsar, is a celebration of culture as it showcases many ‘world record’ books. It is also the cleanest bedroom is in the Akal Takht, on the first floor. Once left on entering the
a pre-Independence Punjabi village in over 12 acres with live religious place in India. It is the holiest Gurdwara it arrives there, the scripture is tucked into a bed. An temple complex
brick-and-stone houses of the sunar, kumhar, lohar, kissan, and the most important pilgrimage site of Sikhism opening ritual called Prakash which means ‘light’ is Wash hands and
sarpanch, zamindar, nambardar and tangewala. Sadda Pind in the world. The Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib where at dawn everyday, the Guru Granth Sahib is feet before entering
also offers unlimited Punjabi food. is seated inside the Golden Temple. This beautiful taken out of its bedroom, carried on the head, placed the holy place
Ram Tirath in Amritsar is believed to have been the ashram of Gurdwara has a serene lake at its centre and offers and carried in a flower decorated palki with chant- Head has to remain
Maharishi Valmiki, composer of the epic Ramayana. Legend also a sublime and peaceful environment. Don’t miss the ing and bugle sounding across the causeway. It is covered at all times.
has it that Lord Rama’s wife, Sita, gave birth to their twin sons, ‘Guru ka Langar’ that serves free vegetarian food as brought to the sanctum. Then after ritual singing of Scarves are avail-
Luv and Kush, here. Notable attractions include a hut that marks a part of the community meal service. The Central a series of Var Asa kirtans and ardas, a random page able at the entrance
the site of their birth and beautiful statues depicting scenes from Sikh Museum here has galleries on each of the Sikh is opened. This is the mukhwak of the day which is Water is served
the epic. A four-day fair is held here every November. Gurus. There are several rituals performed every- read out loud and then written out for the pilgrims to to pilgrims by the
The Gobindgarh Fort for authentic art and crafts of Punjab. day at the Golden Temple and treat the scripture read over that day. It takes a few hours to complete a volunteers within
Don't miss the light and sound show. as a living person, a Guru, out of respect. A closing ‘darshan’ due to crowding and pilgrims are advised the premises
The Bathinda Fort in Bathinda, a fortified structure famous for ritual called sukhasan (sukh means ‘comfort or to plan accordingly. The concierge desk at hotels will Please go through
the celebrated historical romance involving Razia Sultana. rest’, asan means ‘position’) is held. At night, after have all the information. There is no VIP/priority and abide by the
The Sheesh Mahal of Patiala, known for its coloured glass deco- a series of devotional kirtans and three part ardās, ticket/gate pass like at some other religious shrines. instructions related
rations and mirror work. to photography dis-
Anandpur Sahib Fort where Guru Gobind Singh started the played at multiple
Khalsa Movement which led to the establishment of the first locations within the
Sikh empire. temple complex
Takht Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib, the principal shrine Langar (free
and holds the sword, daggers and spears of Guru Gobind Singh. community kitchen
The War Heroes' Memorial & Museum in Amritsar pays tribute preparing vegetar-
to Punjab's brave martyrs. ian food) is served
The Partition Museum in Amritsar that showcases the stories round the clock
of 1947.
Qila Mubarak, Patiala, an ancient fortress with the complex
(Clockwise): A tourist dances the bhangra;
the Jallianwala Bagh memorial in Amritsar; a
spread over 10 acres in the heart of the city. It was the resi-
potter gives a demonstration; (next page, be- dential palace of the royal family of Patiala. The Durbar Hall is
low): the Arms & Chandeliers Gallery, Patiala; today the Arms & Chandeliers Gallery where displays include
a tourist hops onto a tractor a silver chariot, Bohemian cut-glass chandeliers, a beautiful
jade dagger carried by Guru Gobind Singh and a sword that
belonged to Nadir Shah.
Local sightseeing in Chandigarh: Open Hand Monument, Gov- Rs. 100 crore project which will see sites con-
ernment Museum and Art Gallery, Sukna Lake, Leisure Valley, nected to the erstwhile princely states get-
HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS Nek Chand Rock Garden and Zakir Hussain Rose Garden. ting a facelift. Both project reports have been
Amritsar and Chandigarh sent to the MoT and is awaiting sanction.
have Hop-on Hop-off buses that “Rs. 250 crore from the ADB loan has
take you to the main tourist ar- already been spent,” informs Director Jaggi.
eas of the city. This is a good way “This has been incurred towards conserving
of getting around the city and to heritage buildings and creating new projects
save on travel cost. like the Heritage Walk in Amritsar from the
Townhall to the Golden Temple.”
2019 is the centenary year of the
But we don’t want tourists to just come to and Kahne Diyan Purian, will be offered to Jallianwalah Bagh massacre. The DoT has
the Golden Temple and return. There is so domestic and international tourists. major plans to commemorate this historic
FARM STAY much more to see in Amritsar and the rest However, a similar project, Punjab’s first milestone. The site is being developed at a
of Punjab,” says Malwinder Singh Jaggi IAS, night food street, Urban Haat, set up on the feverish pace and new tourist infrastructure
Director, Punjab Tourism. “Short tours do lines of Lahore’s famous food street, is yet to will include a Light & Sound Show and a
As the ‘breadbasket’ for the sub-continent, Punjab plays a critical harvesting, animal husbandry; stroll through local communities, not benefit the local community. Longer be considered a success. Some of these de- Virtual Reality presentation.
role in nourishing India’s 1.2 billion strong population. Today, the participate in card games or gulli danda (simplest version of stays by tourists mean more business for velopment and renovation projects are fund- The DoT powered by a new State
traditional farm enterprises offer a unique travel experience. With modern cricket) at the village square, hop on to a tractor, plough the industry and helps us generate foreign ed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Tourism Policy and a dynamic minister is
farm owners themselves playing the role of generous hosts and the field, bathe and milk a cow, down a glass or two of lassi (butter exchange and provide jobs.” Of the Rs. 590.97 crore outlay planned, Rs. going all out to change the course of Punjab
knowledgeable tour guides, a farm stay completely redefines milk), visit a local home or shrine along with elders, meet local arti- There is also a plan to convert Amritsar’s 344 crore is a loan from ADB. A Rs. 100 crore Tourism – from over-reliance on religious
the vacation experience. Learn about seed varieties, rain water sans like potters, lohars (metal workers), tarkhans (carpenters) and Town Hall into a food street akin to Lahore’s project has been prepared for developing a tourism to one that is equally footed in other
harvesting, bee farming, partake in a dangal (wrestling), crop embroiders, and enjoy a mouth-watering Punjab feast. food street where Amritsar’s 146 delicacies, Mughal Circuit involving sites connected to segments like farm tourism and culture &
including Ram Laddu, Kuje di Lassi, Jalebi the Mughal era. Maharaja Circuit, is another heritage tourism.
30 | Destination Reporter | January 2019 January 2019 | Destination Reporter | 31
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