The Ministry of Tourism’s DekhoApnaDesh webinar series titled “Punjab- A historic perspective” recently took the participants on a journey through the history and prominent tourist places in the state with focus on Virasat-e- Khalsa Museum, an architectural marvel commemorating the 550-years of culture and tradition of Punjab and Sikhism and the Partition Museum-world’s first museum on the largest human migration.
Presented by Harjap Singh Aujila, Civil Engineer with extensive experience in Town Planning, Lipika Kaur Guliani, Assistant Professor, University Institute of Hotel and Tourism Management, Punjab University, Kishwar Desai, Chairperson, The Partition Museum/ The Arts and Cultural Heritage trust and Jaswinder Singh, Assistant Professor, the webinar showcased the charming cties and towns of Punjab dotted with numerous ancient monuments, gurudwaras, temples, ashrams, serene lakes, sacred shrines, museums and wildlife sanctuaries.
Jaswinder Singh started the presentation with the meaning of Punjab as ‘the land of Five Waters’ referring to the rivers Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas. Much of the Frontier was occupied by Maharaja Ranjit Singh also known as Sher-e-Punjab in the early 19th century, and then taken over by the East India Company when it annexed the Punjab in 1849.
The State of Punjab is divided into three parts- Majha, Doaba and Malwa. The southeastern city of Punjab, Patiala is surrounded by Important tourist attractions are Kali Temple, Baradari Garden, Sheesh Mahal, GurudwaraDukhNiwaran Sahib, Qila Mubarak complex etc. Patiala is famous for pug (Shahi Turban), Jhooti and Patiala Peg.
The most sacred of Sikh shrines, the Golden Temple, is a major pilgrimage destination for devotees from around the world, as well as, an ever-increasing popular tourist attraction. In step with Sikhism’s basic tenet of universal brotherhood and all-inclusive ethos, the Golden Temple can be accessed from all directions. Important tourist attractions are JallianwalaBagh, The Partition Museum, Gobindgarh fort and Wagah border.
Lipika Guliani presented on the Virasat E Khalsa in Anandpur Sahib which begun in 1999 to commemorate the third centenary of the founding of the KhalsaPanth(Sikh nation) by Guru Gobind Singh. Spread across 6,500 sq m, the recently opened Viraasat-e-Khalsa museum tells a memorable story of both Punjab and Sikhism, using hand-crafted artifacts and the latest technology.
Kishwar Desai presented the Partition Museum which is five-minute walk from the Golden temple. The Museum was opened on 17th August 2017.When the museum was opened in 2017, lot of people came forward to share their stories, letters, artefacts etc.
Harjap Singh Aujila highlighted the importance of promoting different circuits in Punjab and develop infrastructural facilities to attract more tourists. Summing up the webinar Rupinder Brar , Additional Director General stressed on the importance of travel and explore destinations, cuisines, culture and heritage.
