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There’s no state quite as hospitable as Punjab, the land of five rivers. Known as the ‘Bread Basket of India,’ Punjab is filled with agricultural lands, the beautiful yellow-coloured sarson ke khet, roadside dhabas, and much more. With the warmth of traditionally prepared pinni, aam ka achaar, or parathas, the entire state is rooted deep in culture.
As for the foodies, Punjab offers everything from a range of kulchas, places to grab the best butter chicken, sarson ka saag, freshly prepared gud, and whatnot. If you are planning a visit to the North Indian state, here is a detailed guide on the places to visit, the local delicacies to savour, specialities to shop for, the best time to visit, and much more.
Must-See Spots In Punjab
Golden Temple, Amritsar
When in Punjab, you can’t miss out on going to Golden Temple, or Sri Harmandir Sahib. The religious icon for the Sikh community is open 24 hours, and welcomes millions of visitors all year round. You can sit by the Sarovar, reflect and pray, and of course, have Langar, the community meal.
Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar
Known for the infamous 1919 massacre, Jallianwala Bagh is a reminder of India’s struggle to fight for freedom. Even after a decade, you can still see the bullet holes deep in the walls of the garden.
Gardens In Chandigarh
From the Rock Garden that is filled with artwork, murals, and structures made from urban and industrial waste to Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, which will take you the closest to nature, Chandigarh is a must-visit when travelling to Punjab.
Qila Mubarak, Patiala
The royal fort, which has both Mughal and Rajput influences, is also a must-visit, especially for history-avid travellers.
What To Eat When In Punjab
Amritsari Kulcha
The speciality street food of the city of Golden Temple, Amritsari Kulcha, has a rich filling of paneer, chopped onion, green chillies, and more. It is usually paired with chole made in a blend of spices and served with a spicy chutney, achaar, and lachha pyaaz.
Chole Bhature
Another go-to Punjabi street food is chole bhature, which can be found in every corner of a street bazaar. From local vendors to dhabas to the national-level sweet shops, you must grab a plate of chole bhature whenever you stop over for a meal.
Makki Di Roti And Sarson Da Saag
Makki Di Roti with Sarson da Saag is synonymous with the lush agricultural farms in Punjab. Made with sarson, aka mustard greens and paired with makki (corn) roti, the combo is served with a generous amount of butter on top.
Lassi
The quintessential Punjabi drink, lassi, is the best way to beat the summer heat. Made with the goodness of chilled curd, it comes in many variations like sweet, salty, and even flavoured with fruits. Don’t forget to add a glass of lassi to your Punjabi meals to balance the spices and get refreshed.
Paratha
The classic Punjabi breakfast option has now made its place in most Indian cuisine buffets across the globe. Parathas are filling and comforting, and the best part is you can customise the fillings to your preference.
Dal Makhani
Made with urad dal (black lentils) and rajma (kidney beans), Dal Makhani is a staple in most Punjabi kitchens. Paired with butter naan or lachha paratha, you can have a hearty meal.
Pinni
Whenever you’re in Punjab, don’t forget to get yourself a box of pinni, the traditional sweet made with whole wheat flour, gud, ghee, and lots of dry fruits.
What To Experience & Do
Wagah Border Ceremony
Wagah Border, the Indo-Pakistani border, observes a patriotic march and flag ceremony, which is a must-see event.
Boating At Sukhna Lake
The go-to place of Chandigarh for a picturesque sunrise and sunset, you can sit back, relax, and boat at Sukhna Lake.
Heritage Walk
Whether you are staying in Amritsar or Chandigarh, don’t miss out on going for a heritage walk and know in-depth about the gurdwaras, monuments, and lakes.
Street Shopping
After binging street foods like pakore, golgappe, chole bhature, and more, you can also shop from the lanes. In cities like Patiala, Ludhiana, and Amritsar, you can go for a street haul and buy Punjabi juttis, handicrafts, Phulkari dupattas, etc.
Village Stay
To experience rural life in Punjab, don’t forget to visit a local farm. From fresh cow milk, homemade butter, and lassi to knowing in-depth about organic farming, staying in a village is a must-have experience.
What To Do
Apart from sightseeing and exploring the local cuisine, here are some things you must do in Punjab:
- Shop from the old bazaars in cities like Patiala, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Ambala, etc.
- Take a walk through the gardens of Chandigarh, get fresh air, and be closer to nature.
- To get the best of the street food, join a guided tour and learn the local recipes.
- Spend a day on the farm and learn about organic farming.
- Explore the local dams.
- Sit by the river and have a fun picnic.
Must Buy
While shopping from the local market, here are some Punjabi specialities you must buy:
- The hand-embroidered phulkari dupattas.
- Get Punjabi juttis and salwar for an ethnic attire.
- Local sweets like panjiri, pinni, dhodha barfi, etc.
- Pick up spices and pickles like mustard oil, aam ka achaar, and gajar gobi shalgam pickle.
Best Time To Visit Punjab
November to February: To get a view of huge yellow-coloured mustard farms amid the chilly weather, you can visit Punjab during the winter months.
June to September: If you don’t like the winter weather, you can plan a trip during June to September. Just check the weather for rain before going out.
Number Of Days Needed
A total of 5-7 days will be enough to explore Punjab. You can spend 2-3 days covering Amritsar, 2 days to visit the local spots in Chandigarh, and another day for street shopping.
Travel And Food Tips
Punjab is well connected by air, rail, and road. So you can plan and travel at your own convenience.
- Go to a street food cart that has larger footfall to ensure fresh ingredients.
- Carry a dupatta to cover your head while going to a gurudwara.
- Carry a water bottle when travelling, as street shopping will require continuous walking.
- While cards and online modes of payment are easily accessible, carry some cash while shopping in the old bazaars.
