Punjab, the Land of Five Rivers, is bestowed with the beauty of nature as well as a rich culture that the country carries its pride in. Right from spirituality to commercialization, this state will leave you enthralled regardless of what you seek. If you are a true traveller who wishes to witness the true essence of Punjab, you must take a circuit! These places to visit in Punjab are perfect to add to your itinerary, as you will come back home with lovely memories to hold on to. Experience the king-size life of Gabrus and indulge in traditional folk activities like Bhangra and bottoms-up with Lassi. After all, you are in Punjab!
1) Golden Temple
The Golden Temple is in fact a small part of a much bigger gurdwara complex, known as the Harmandir Sahib. Guru Ram Das acquired the land for the gurdwara in the 16th century. His successor, Guru Arjan began construction, building it lower than the rest of the city in a gesture of humility. The compound was also designed to open on all signs to mirror the fact that it is open to all. After the site’s inauguration in 1589, the pool was filled with water. The completion of the Golden Temple was a major milestone for Sikhism as it provided a central rallying point for the Sikh community, as well as an important pilgrimage destination.
Guru Arjan was arrested by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir shortly after this, and after refusing to convert to Islam, was tortured and executed in 1606. The Golden Temple fell into the hands of the enemy until the 18th century, when it was liberated by Guru Gobind Singh.
The Golden Temple remains an important focal point and symbol of Sikh culture. Throughout the 18th century, Sikhs defied persecution by continuing to gather at the Golden Temple, and continually restored it when external rulers desecrated it. I 1809, Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the temple sanctum covered with golden foil, giving it its name today.
In more recent times, the temple was destroyed as part of Operation Blue Star in 1984, which aimed to capture militant Sikhs hidden inside the temple. It turned into something of a massacre, with Sikh temples across India attacked. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who ordered the attack, was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in the same year as an act of revenge. The government later paid for the rebuilding of the temple, but the incident unsurprisingly remains a source of tension.
