North India - Punjab

Punjab, the chief wheat producing area of the country, is the overland entry point into India. The state is also known for its production of sports and hosiery goods. The holiest shrine for the Sikhs is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, so called because the dome is covered with gold leaf.

Amritsar

Amritsar - the holy city of Sikhs, has grown from a sacred village pond intoa spiritual temporal centre of Sikh culture. The city gets its name from thepool-Amritsar (Pool of Nectar), which was constructed by the fourth religiouspreceptor of the Sikh faith. It also lies on the Asain Highway.

Temperature (deg C) : Summer- Max. 34, Min. 15; Winter- Max. 18, Min. 0.
Rainfall : 59.2 cms.
Clothing : Cotton in summer and Woollen in Winter.
STD Code : 0183.

HOW TO GET THERE :

Air : Amritsar is connected by air with Delhi and Shrinagar. Fare : Calcutta-Delhi-Amritsar Rs.6017 (US$ 220).
Rail : Amritsar is connected by rail with Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay, Varanasi, Wagah (Attari Border) and some other places in India. Fare (approx) : Calcutta-Amritsar Rs.2800 (AC-I), Rs.1600 (AC-2A), Rs.1300 (I), Rs.360 (Sleeper).
Road : Amritsar is connected by bus with Ambala, Chandigarh, Delhi, Ferozepur, Jammu etc. Some of the road distances are as follows:- Jammu 216 kms, Ferozepur 160 kms, Chandigarh 235 kms, Delhi 435 kms and Wagah 29 kms.
Local Transport : Cycle Rickshaws, Taxis, City buses.

WHAT TO SEE
Golden Temple, Akal Takht, Durgiana Temple, Jallaianwala Bagh, Saragarhi Gurudwara, Tower of Baba Atal, Academy of Fine Arts, Central Museum & S.G.Thakur Singh Art Gallery.

EXCURSIONS
Gobindwal Sahib- 30 kms, Taran Taaran- 22 kms, Baba Bakala Gurudwara 45 kms, Ram Tirath- 10 kms, Preet Nagar- 20 kms, Amanat Khan Sarai and Hari-ke-Patten- 38 kms.

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE

Tourist Bureau, Government of Punjab, Palace Hotel, Opposite Railway Station, Tel: (0183) 42164.

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Chandigarh

The city of Chandigarh lies in the valley surrounded by Shiwalik Hills that hem the great Himalayas. From here one can travel northwards to the hill resorts of Shimla Kulu, Manali, Dharmashala and Dalhousie. Chandigarh is not only the most modern city in the country but has been planned to perfection by the world famous French architect le Corbusier.
Altitude : 304.8 to 365.78 metres.
Temperature (deg C) : Summer- Max 37, Min 23; Winter- Max 24, Min 5.
Rainfall : 111.4 cms.
Best Season : October to March.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

Air : Indian Airlines connect Chandigarh with Delhi, Jammu, Shrinagar and Leh. Vayudoot Services connect Chandigarh with Delhi, Kulu and Gaggad.
Rail : Chandigarh, the terminus of Northern Railway, is connected with Bombay, Delhi, Kalka and other major cities in India.
Road : Chandigarh is connected by good motorable roads with Amritsar 240 kms, Dehradhun 230 kms, Delhi 248 kms, Shimla 117 kms, Kulu 279 kms, Bhakra 116 kms, Kasauli 77 kms, Jammu 380 kms.
Bus Services : Regular bus services connect Chandigarh with Amritsar, Delhi, Dharamshala, Kulu, Manali, Nangal, Pathankot and Shimla.

PLACES OF INTEREST
The Secratariat, The Assembly & High Court, Zakir Hussain Rose Garden (2 kms), Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Govt. Museum & Art Gallery & Punjab University Complex, International Doll Museum, National Gallery of Portraits.

EXCURSIONS
Pinjore Gardens (25 kms), Bhima Devi Temple (22 kms), Chattbir Zoo (22 kms), Mansa Mandir / Chandi Mandir (10 kms), Bhakra Nangal (116 kms), Ponta Sahib (135 kms), Naina Devi (110 kms).

INFORMATION CENTRES

Chandigarh Tourism, Sector 17, Tel: 544614
Himachal Tourism, Sector 22, Tel: 43569
U.P Tourism, Sector 22, Tel: 41649
Haryana Tourism, Sector 17, Tel: 542955-57
Punjab Tourism, Sector 22, Tel: 43570

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Information provided by Department of Tourism. Ministry of Tourism and Culture. Government of India.