BORDERS IN PUNJAB

INDIA-PAKISTAN BORDERS IN PUNJAB

India - Pakistan borders is locally known as International Border(IB). The international border runs between India

and Pakistan that separates the Indian states and the Pakistani four provinces. The border runs from the

Line of Control(LoC) ,which demarcates the Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistani-controlled Kashmir that lies

in the north, to the Zero Point between the Indian state of Gujarat and Sindh province of Pakistan which lies

in the south.

The state Punjab has three main borders those separates Punjab from Pakistan.

WAGAH BORDER

Wagah is a village and union council which is located in the Wagah Zone of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.Wagh is the

border that separates the India and Pakistan which is named after the place, the village Wagah. This town is famous

for the Wagah border ceremony,which also serves as a goods transit terminal. The rail line also passes through this

town which connects Pakistan and India. Wagah is located in 600 metres east of the border and lies on the Grand

Trunk Road between Lahore in Pakistan and Amritsar in India. The border is located 24 kilometres (15 mi) away from

Lahore and 32 kilometres (20 mi) away from Amritsar. It is located at 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) away from

the village of Attari.

Wagah Border, Amritsar

WAGAH BORDER CEREMONY

The Wagah-Attari border ceremony takes place at the border gate,every day, two hours before sunset. The flag

ceremony is guided by the Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border Security Force (BSF). Flags of both the countries flies

high into the skies after the march.

Following India's building of a 360ft (110m) flagpole on the border in Attari, in August 2017, a 400ft (122m) flag

was established on the Wagah side. The flagpole in Wagah is considered to be the tallest in South Asia.

Wagah border is one of the major spots in Punjab Tourism. Many people from different states, countries visit here

to see ceremony at this border. It helps increase in the economy of Punjab. It is the major sightseeing that should

be included in one’s list while tour to Punjab.

HUSSAINIWALA BORDER

Hussainiwala border is situated in a village in Firozpur district in Punjab state, India. It lies at the banks of the Sutlej river.

The village is located on the border with Pakistan opposing the Pakistani village,Ganda Singh Wala.

Hussainiwala is the place of the National Martyrs Memorial, which states the site where Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and

Rajguru,the martyr’s were cremated on 23 March 1931. It is also the cremation place of Batukeshwar Dutt, who

was also involved in bombing the Central Legislative Assembly with Bhagat Singh. After the Partition of India and

Pakistan, the cremation site became the part of Pakistan but on 17 January 1961 it was again declared to be the part of India in interchange of 12 villages near the Sulemanki Headworks (Fazilka).

An annual fair is organized at the memorial on 23 March in concern with the anniversary of Bhagat Singh's death.

The border crossing is closed for travelers but the flag retreat ceremony is still organized daily. Until 1970,

the road crossing between India and Pakistan was a trade route for truckers that used to import the Kandahari Angoor

and other fruits and food products from Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Hussainiawala Border, Ferozpur

 SULEMANKI BORDER

The BSF and Pakistani Rangers, at a flag meeting on the Pakistan side, conduct the Retreat (flag-lowering

ceremony) at the Sadiqi joint check post (JCP) in Fazilka district in the same fashion as at Wagah in Amritsar

and Hussainiwala in Ferozepur.

Till now, a parade was conducted by the two countries in their respective territories on either side of the

International Border. Now, the ceremony helds on Zero Line by BSF personnel and Pak Rangers jointly.

This has expected to increase the footfall of visitors.

To witness the parade, hundreds of visitors visit the Sadiqi post every day. It is observed that there is a huge

rush at the Sulemani post in Pakistan’s territory. This place is considered as one of the best places in

Punjab to visit as this spot is the major eyecatcher to the tourists and as well enhanced the growth in economy of Punjab.

The construction activity, including the raising of bunkers is only allowed to be carried out up to 150 metres on either side of Radcliffe Line. Also, security measures are strong for harvesting and it is ensured that no

farmer took to straw burning.

Sulemanki Border , Fazilka

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FESTIVALS IN PUNJAB

Basant Panchami

The festival of spring is celebrated in Punjab as the colourful festival of Basant Panchami. ‘Basant’ in Punjabi is

a mustard color which is also linked with the crop ‘Mustard’. This festival is celebrated on the fifth day of lunar

month of Magh.A golden sea of mustard flowers flourishes the fields of Punjab which act as perfect scene for

Basant Panchami. During this festival Punjabi people use to dress in bright yellow,signifying themselves

as mustard blooms. This festival has the major importance in culture of Punjab and is also known as kite festival.

People use to fly kites to celebrate this festival and one can see the  entire sky full of colourful and liberating kites.

Festivals in Punjab: Basant Panchami

Hola Mohalla

Hola Mohalla is one of the religious festivals in Punjab which is a three-day festival. This festival is celebrated at

takht Sri Anandpur Sahib and got its initiation in 1700s by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Thousands of Sikhs get

together to celebrate this festival, as it has a cultural importance for them. This festival takes place on the

second day of the lunar month of Chett, a day after the Hindu spring festival Holi is celebrated but sometimes

coincides with Holi. this festival is of huge importance to the sikh people and is celebrated with huge enthusiasm

and with religious belief.The event terminates on the day of Hola Mohalla with  military-style parade near

Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib (one of the five seats of temporal authority of the Sikhs).

Festivals in Punjab: Hola Mohalla

Baisakhi

Baisakhi is one of the historically significant festival in culture of Punjab. The day is celebrated as the tribute to

the martyr, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.It is usually celebrated on 13th or 14th of  April every year .The festival is

also known as harvest festival for the winter crop, rabi. It has been observed as the major events in Sikhism.

The significance of Baisakhi celebration marks the birth of Sikh order when Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji refused to

convert to Islam religion under the orders of the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. This prompted the inauguration

of the tenth Guru of Sikhism and the historic establishment of Khalsa, both on the Vaisakhi day. It was the day

of Vaisakhi when colonial British empire officials committed the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on a gathering,

an event organized for the Indian movement against colonial rule.

Due the historical importance of the festival in Sikhism, all over Punjab, various fairs and processions

are held, where everyone celebrate the festival with zest and zeal. The entire state is lit up in the celebration

of Baisakhi, producing enthusiasm among people. People dress up in beautiful cultural dresses and perform the

cultural dances and recite folk songs. This festival has huge importance in culture of Punjab.  

Festivals in Punjab: Baisakhi

Gurpurab

The most important festival in the Sikh community, the Gurpurabs are a symbols of holiness, spirituality and jubilance

for the Sikhs. It is a composition of the word purab (or parva in Sanskrit), meaning a festival or celebration, lead

by the word guru. Gurpurab in sikh religion is celebrated as the birth anniversaries of sikh Guru’s which are marked

as festivals. Gurpurabs are a mixture of the religious and the festive, the devotional and the spectacular,

the personal and the communal participations.Over the years a standardized pattern is followed, but this pattern

has no special virtue, and local groups may invent their own variations.

During these celebrations, the Guru Granth Sahib is read through, in private homes and in the gurdwaras,

in a single continuous ceremony lasting in about 48 hours. This religious event, called Akhand Path, must be without

interruption that ensures no breaks within.

Special assemblies are held in gurdwaras and discourses given on the lives and teachings of the gurus which

are recited by the Ragi’s or Dhadi Jatha. Sikhs march in processions through towns and cities reciting the

holy hymns. Special langars, or community meals, are gripped for the participants. The open Langars are

clasped

even on the roads by the people which is served to every passer by which signifies their devotion to

the god as they believe “God resides in the hearts of every human”.  

Festivals in Punjab: Gurupurab

 Teeyan(Teej)

A lively and one of the most amused cultural festival of Punjab, mostly for women, Teeyan is celebrated in the

blooming season of spring. This festival is also known as “Teej”. This festival is dedicated to the onset of the

monsoon and focuses on daughters and sisters. The traditional folk dance of Punjab, Gidda is performed

during this festival, by the women,which is a magnificent sight to behold.The festival is celebrated during the

monsoon season from the third day of the lunar month of Sawan till the full moon of Sawan, by women.

Married women visit their maternal houses to participate in the festivities. They use to celebrate this festival with

their friends with whom they used to play in their childhood. In the past, it was tradition for women to spend the

whole month of Sawan with their parents.

Women gather up somewhere under the lap of nature where there are bundle of trees and tie swings to the trees

and use to swing in them. Girls dress themselves in proper Punjabi traditional dresses and recites the Punjabi

folk songs. The eve gets the momentum in the teeyan Gidha. This festival is of major importance in culture of Punjab.

The festival is closed by the women performing the closing dance called 'bhallho'. Bhallo is performed by

the women standing in two rows. Nowadays, this tradition of women getting together in villages in lost somewhere

in this hectic life.

Festivals in Punjab: Teeyan

Maghi

Maghi is the annual festival which involves gathering of the Sikhs. It is celebrated at the district of the Punjab,

Sri Muktsar Sahib, in the memory of forty Sikh martyrs (Chalis Mukte), who once had left the tenth and last

Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib, but later felt downhearted and rejoined the Guru and

died while fighting the Mughal Empire army led by Wazir Khan in 1705. The gurudwara “Tuti Gandi sahib” is

situated in the district Sri Muktsar Sahib that was built in remembrance of the patch up between the 40 martyrs

and the Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

At this day,

Sikhs make a journey to the site of this Sikh-Muslim war, and take a dip in the sacred water tanks, Sarovar of Muktsar.

A fair (mela) is held at Muktsar Sahib every year called the Mela Maghi in the month of Magh(January)

is held in memory of the forty Sikh martyrs. Huge amount of Langars are mounted for the Shardhalu’s

that have travelled from so far to visit the gurdwara. Maghi is one of the religious

festivals in Punjab which celebrated by the people of Punjab with

zest and zeal. Sri Muktsar Sahib is one of the best places in Punjab to visit during this festival.

Festivals in Punjab: Maghi

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FORTS IN PUNJAB

Gobindgarh Fort

Gobindgarh Fort is one of the historic forts in Punjab which is  located in the center of the city Amritsar .The Fort

was earlier engrossed  by the army but is now open to the public from 10 February 2017 as  fort is now developed as

a unique live museum, as a repository of Punjab’s history.Maharaja Ranjit Singh constructed the fort with bricks and

lime andis. Every corner of the fort has a fence and two doors. The main entrance is named as Nalwa Gate and

the back entrance is named as Killer Gate. The fort views the armory and certain other belongings of  the 

Maharaja Ranjit Singh. This fort is one of the most attractive sites to the tourists and is main spot for Punjab tourism.

Forts in Punjab: The Gobindgarh Fort

 Rambagh Palace

The Ram bagh palace was the palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of ‘Sikh Empire’ in Punjab. Ram Bagh

 Garden is a major site in  heritage destinations of Punjab tourism. This palace is expanded across an area of 81 acre

 and lavished with rare flower species and other valuable plants. This palace is known the Summer Palace of

 Maharaja Ranjit Singh as he used to spend the summers in this palace. This palace is  declared as protected 

monument under Punjab Government.

Forts in Punjab: The Rambagh Palace

 Qila Mubarak in Bathinda

One of the top most prestigious heritage tourist site in Punjab, the fort, Qila Mubarak is located in the heart of

 the city of Bathinda.This fort is also known as Bathinda Fort and was constructed in 1764 by Maharaja

 Ala Singh. Rajia Sultana, the first woman ruler of Delhi was imprisoned in this fort. The fort constitutes

 of  two main parts called Qila Androon and Qila Mubarak. The imperial journal describes the fort having

 36 bastions and a height of about 118 ft. It was a very attractive landmark for many miles around.

Forts in Punjab: Qila Mubarak in Bathinda

 Sheesh Mahal

Sheesh Mahal is known to be palace of mirrors. It was Built by Maharaja Narinder Singh in 1847, and is a

 beautiful royal residence that reflects the princely stature of Punjab kings. It is a three-storied building

 which is located behind Moti Bagh Palace .It is famous for its beauty as it is designed with coloured glass

 and mirror works. It is one of the best places to visit in Punjab, this palace have a beautiful centrally located

 artificial lake with a small bridge over the lake. That bridge is known as Laxman Jhula and is surrounded 

by a fountain and beautiful flowers all around. Even a museum is located inside the palace.

Forts in Punjab: Sheesh Mahal in Patiala

 Old Moti Bagh

Moti Bagh is one of the very delightful sightseeing and is one of the best places in Punjab to visit . Old Moti Bagh Palace is

 situated in Patiala. It is only around 2 km away from Sheesh Mahal and reflects the taste and majesty of

 royal Punjab. The old quarters of this palace were constructed under the provision of the Maharaja of Patiala in 

1840s and renovated in 1920s by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. The National Institute of Sports (NIS) Patiala is 

situated in the East wing of palace where the Patiala Heritage festival is celebrated every year.

There is another building, called the New Moti Bagh palace,which is now the residence of Captain,Amarinder Singh.

Forts in Punjab:Old Moti Bagh in Patiala

 Qila Anandgarh Sahib

Qila Anandgarh Sahib is located in Anandapur District of Punjab.It is a historical monument built by Guru 

Gobind Singh Ji. It is one of the five Qilas which were built to fortify the Sikhs from attackers.

 Qila Anandgarh Sahib along with other four prominent forts called Keshgarh, Lohgarh, Holgarh 

and Fatehgarh of Anandpur District makes a wonderful Sikh Tourist spot. All these forts are connected with 

underground passage.

Forts in Punjab: Qila Anandgarh Sahib

 Jagatjit Palace

A strong and major part of tourism in Punjab, Jagatjit Palace must be included in your list of sightseeing. 

This palace is also known as the ‘Paris of Punjab’.This popular heritage building is located in Kapurthala

 District of Punjab. It was designed taking inspiration from Versailles and Fontainebleau. The interior hall of the palace

 is the mixture of Indian and French architectural style. While the painted ceilings of the palace portray majesty

 of French architectural beauty, the Darbar Hall views the magnificence of Indian decoration. This palace was the

 home of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh, the main architect of modern day Kapurthala. Jagatjit Palace is famous for its

 beauty and uniqueness, as it enshrines the aspects of Indian and French aesthetics.

Forts in Punjab: Jagatjit Palace

Rajmahal, Faridkot

Rajmahal Palace is an example of Gothic style of architecture. It was built during the monarchy of Maharaja

 Balbir Singh. The ghaint royal fort is spread over an area of around 15 acres and is stunningly beautiful.

It consists of the main palace, the Tasveer Ghar (picture house), a Baradari (a twelve-door, open dome), 

a gurdwara, three small domes called doll houses, two swimming pools, a well and service quarters.

 The main entrance is a magnificent three-storey gateway called Raj Deori which is a hospital today. The ghaint 

structure is flourished with beautiful green lawns which signifies their importance in arid area.

Forts in Punjab: The Rajmahal, Faridkot

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CULTURE OF PUNJAB

Punjab is the state which lies in the northern part of India. The term ‘Punjabi’ refers to both the person who is native 

of punjab as well as the person who speaks punjabi.This name got its origin from the Persian language 'panj'(five),

 and 'ab' (water). This combined word ‘Punjab’ is the land of the five rivers. Those  five rivers are Jhelum River, 

Chenab River, Ravi River, Beas River and Sutlej River.

Punjabi culture,

 the one of the royal cultures of India. The heart captivating culture of punjab appeals people to explore the colors

 of Punjab. People of punjab are well known to be very faithful, pleasant, kind and welcoming.

 They celebrate their festivals 

with proper tradition,great amusement ,dance, traditional food and sweets. Punjabi people are ,

meant to be very fun loving.

They  welcomes their guests open heartedly and greet them happily. 

PEOPLE OF PUNJAB

Punjab constitutes of majority of sikhs. The people of punjab are majorly divided into three

 types on the basis of their particular regions: Malwa,Majha,Doaba. Sikhism is the religion

 that is majorly adopted by punjabi people.Punjabi’s nowadays landed to the various

 parts of the world. Punjabi people are meant to be very helpful ,brave and confident.

Punjabis are very certain about their traditions,customs and relations. The rules are meant

 to be very stringent while performing any of the tradition or custom like it may be a birth 

or death of person , or an wedding.Punjabi people live happily in the joint family system 

which indicates the togetherness , tenderness ,sympathy among each other. Punjab people believes 

in treating their guests as like god.

People of Punjab

Food in Punjabi Culture

Punjabi food is very first thing that comes to mind when one talks about food.

 Punjabi tradition is very rich when it comes to food. Punjabi is famous for its

 speciality in spices and cuisines.  With profuse amount of ghee on the chapattis

, the food here is luscious. The drink (lassi) is served here as welcoming drink which

 is enriched with huge amount of milk.The most famous cuisines of Punjab include 

Makke di Roti (maize bread) and Sarson da Saag (mustard leaf curry) which is 

considered to be the tastiest food in Punjab. Punjabi people are for most when it 

comes to taste. People here are also fond of chicken , mutton and fish.

Food in Punjab

Dresses in Punjabi Culture

The dresses in punjabi culture are very vibrant ,soleful when it comes about

 colors.the traditional dress that is worn by many punjabi women is salwar kameez.

 It is a three piece set which includes long upper with bottom as salwar and third 

piece dupatta. Ladies in long ago use to cover their heads with dupatta which signifies 

their respect to elders.The traditional dress for men is kurta pajama which is a two 

piece set that includes long upper with a bottom  pujama.

Dresses in Punjab

 Folk Dance and Festivals of Punjab

There are  many folk dances in punjabi culture. The bhangra is the folk dance of

 punjab which is performed by the gabhru’s of punjab. The malwai gidha which 

gained its origin from the malwa region .it is also performed by punjabi gabhru’s. 

The jhoomar is also one among the folk dances of punjab.

The giddha is the folk dance of punjabi culture which is performed by the 

mutiyar’s of punjab. The beautiful girls engaged up together and mount boliya.

 These folk dances are performed with huge energy by the youngsters which are 

eyecatchers while performed in any occasion.

These traditional folk dances are performed in festivals as well as any happy occasions.

The festival of ‘tiyaan’ is celebrated by the young girls who just get married ,they 

arrive to their home places and gather up with their friends to enjoy the eve.

 They wear beautiful traditional dresses and ornaments and recite traditional songs. 

Folk dance: Bhangra

 Language and Religions

The official language of the state is Punjabi, which used for communication. 

Although there is only one local language,still some of the sub languages which 

are used in different parts of punjab are Doabi, Ghebi, Malwai, Pahari, Shahpuri, 

Rachnavi, Hindko, etc.

There are many religions in Punjab. But the major population consists of Hindus

 and Sikhs. In Hindus, Khatris are well known, while Brahmin, Rajput and

 Baniya may also be found. The Sikh population is particularly at the peak in the 

state following the origin of Sikhism. There are many sikh religious spots in

 punjab -the Gurudwaras. There are five takhts in sikh history. Three of the takhts

 of sikh religion are situated in Punjab and those are the takht Sri Anandpur Sahib,

Golden temple(the Harimandir sahib) and takht Shri Dumdama sahib(Talwandi sabo).

Religion of Punjab

 Tradition of wedding in Punjab

The pre wedding rituals begin with the tradition called Roka, which is

 an unofficial engagement revealing the acceptance of the relationship by 

the two families. Chunni Chadhai followed by Mangni/Sagai are performed 

which is the official engagement with the couple exchanging the engagement rings.

 Then the Mehndi function is carried out to create the designs of Mehndi on the 

hands of the bride to be and her friends and relatives.  On the same evening the 

musical night (Sangeet)is performed by all the ladies in the marriage where they 

recites the folk songs and enjoy the evening. Some traditional rituals are set into motion 

starting with Kangna Bandhna, Followed by Choodha Chadhana and Kalide 

after sangeet ceremony at the Bride’s place. Haldi and Ghardoli are two rituals that

 are performed on both, Bride and Groom after the occasion of ‘Haldi’.Bride and 

groom then visit their nearest temple and are bathed with holy water and then get 

set for the ,main occasion ‘The wedding’. Sehrabandi and Ghodi Chadna performed 

at groom’s place concludes the pre-wedding rituals.

The tradition of ‘Lavaan’ is carried out where the bride and the groom have to promise 

for thePlaying their best parts into the relationship and support each other for the 

lifetime in front of ‘Shri Guru Granth Sahib ji’. Thus, the marriage is concluded 

with the function of ‘Doli’ where the girl leaves her place and get shifted to the 

groom’s house.    

Wedding tradition in Punjab

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