Punjab India

Home par excellence of some of the best fighting men of India, the Punjab offers a visitor a land of sparkling streams, of golden harvests and majestic scenery. It is here that the Bhagvad Gita (Song Celestial) was imported five thousand years ago to the inspired perception of Arjuna by Lord Krishna himself. The Golden Temple at Amritsar draws Sikh devotees from every corner of the vast subcontinent.

This territory has the usual chequered history of Indian states. Towards the close of the 10th century the Rajputs of northern India were subjected to attacks by Muslim invaders, who broke in through the north-west passes. The resistance put up by the Rajputs was soon crushed by the intruders and by 1027 the Punjab had become a Muslim-governed province. In the early 16th century, the Moghuls occupied the Punjab and less than two centuries later, the Sikhs superseded them. Ranjit Singh who, at the age of 19, became head of the Sikhs, organized an army which fought the British stoutly in 1846 and 1949. After several tough encounters, the Punjab came under British rule which lasted till 1947, when the creation of Pakistan brought about an exodus of the Hindus and Sikhs from Pakistan into India.

Amritsar

Literally meaning “Pool of Nectar” was founded in 1579 by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru of the Sikh religion who settled down besides a pool bequeathed with miraculous healing powers. His son, Guru Arjun Dev, built the temple within the pool. Later Maharaja Ranjit Singh encrusted it with pure gold leaf.

Half day sightseeing of Amritsar
Visit the Golden Temple, the glory of Amritsar. Its bronze plates, heavily covered with pure gold leaf, burn and flash in the sun and reflect in the still waters of the pool surrounding the temple. Visit the infamous Jallianwala Bagh - now a national monument. In 1919, during the British Raj, Gen. Dyer opened fire on innocent pilgrims causing a massacre. Also visit the beautiful Rambagh Gardens. Visit the Museum and Art Gallery.

Chandigarh

Chandigarh is renowned French architect `Le Corbusier’s’ creation. It is a grand modern and well planned vision for independent India, the city was largely built in the 50s and 60s.

City sightseeing (3-4 hours)
Drive past Punjab University Campus Buildings, Secretariat and Assembly Chamber. Visit High Court, Rock Garden created out of scrap and waste by Nek Chand (if open during time of visit). Drive past the Governor’s Residence and Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden and Sector 17, the main Commercial Centre of the city.