punjab PUNJAB - A great state of India Punjab, situated in the Northwest of India is the sword arm of the country. Ever since three centuries ago Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs gave a call to arms and created the Khalsa no invader from the North has dared to invade India. Prem Prakash, a senior columist, believes "Guru Gobin Singhji created Khalsa to protect India's culture, traditions, ethos and oneness". Punjabis take pride in joining the army. Their battalions are known for valor and daring.In the recent times Punjab was in the forefront of fight for freedom from British rule. It is a record that no other state of India could come any where near Punjab when it came to the numbers of freedom fighters who mounted the gallows smiling accepting death so that India could be free. Punjab with a total area of 50362 square kilometer or a mere 1.54% of the landmass of India, is the granary of the country. Agriculture is the mainstay of the state’s economy and the secret of the prosperity of the people of Punjab. The state of Punjab despite being on the border with a hostile neighbor, Pakistan, records on an average an annual growth rate of 10% the highest in the country. The country today is the home of many a small-scale consumer goods industry-their number is said to total nearly 200,000 units. The state also has over six hundred large industrial units. Punjabis endowed with enterprise and endeavor travel far and wide seeking greener pastures. Little Punjabs today exist in far off Canada, USA and the United Kingdom apart from other countries like Kenya, Thailand. Punjabi communities there have taken their spirit of enterprise. Wherever they go Punjabis take the Punjabi spirit with them. Punjabi communities abroad are helping the state of Punjab in many ways particularly in taking the state into the global business. And with high literacy rate and the highest per capita income in the country, Punjab is well set on the road to greater growth and prosperity. The much truncated India’s portion of present Punjab is divided into three natural regions: The Mujha, The Doaba and the Malwa. MAJHA Majha starts northward from the Right Bank of river Beas and stretches upto the Wagha village, which marks the boundary between India and Pakistan. Majha in Punjabi means the heartland. The region is divided into two districts, Amritsar and Gurdaspur. DOABA The Doaba of Punjab is bounded by the Rivers Sutlej in the south and Beas in the north. The area is divided into four districts Jalandhar, Nawanshahar, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur named after these main towns. MALWA The area South of the river Sutlej is called Malwa. Th stuck because a clan called Molois (sometimes Malawis in ancient works) once ruled this area which have spread upto the present State of Gujrat which known as the Subah of Malwa as late as the Mughul times. Malwa the largest part of the Punjab is divided into the following 12 districts after the names of their headquarters. Bathinda, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar, Nawan Shahar, Patiala, Ropar, Sangrur FEATURES Man who keeps Punjab's graceful Jhummar dance alive Chandigarh: Jhummar dance, which seems to have got lost in the sands of time, is today being revived in many areas of Punjab. The land of Punjab which has given birth to such fast paced and vigorous dances as the Bhangra, is also home to the slow and more rhythmic form of Jhummar. Though usually performed by men, it has in it the tenderness of feminine expressions involving actions of hands, arms and feet choreographed with the rhythm of the "dhol" or the drum and "bolian" or songs. This group of dancers belong to the DAV College team in Jalalabad, a dusty town on the Indo-Pak border in Punjab. Their tutor and guide, Pokhar Singh, is one of the last surviving exponents of this traditional dance form. After partition, most Jhummar artistes went to Pakistan and when "they" settled in Ferozpur, Pokhar and his clan were the only ones to keep Jhummar alive. Pokhar was quick to develop his natural talent and soon became an accomplished dancer. Today, at 86, his limbs might protest, but dancing has always been in his blood. Despite Bhangra's popularity, Pokhar Singh played a stellar role in not letting Jhummar disappear. While the Bhangra emerged as the dominant stage dance in post-partition Punjab because of both official patronage and constant experimentation, Pokhar's efforts have helped resurrect this soulful dance. Popularity at the cost of originality is not acceptable and Pokhar has retained Jhummar's "bolian," the context of which is rooted in West Punjab in Pakistan. His reputation among his pupils is that of a hard taskmaster who insists on perfection in every nuance. Pokhar Singh's single-handed efforts have brightened the chance of reviving Jhummar. The dance is originally from Baluchistan and was spread by traders and camel drivers. With Pokhar Singh's efforts Jhummar now figures as a separate item in university level cultural competitions, a considerable effort considering his age and the social domination of Bhangra. Pandit Jasraj wins over Ludhiana audience Ludhiana: The doyen of classical vocal music, Pandit Jasraj, recently performed before a packed and enthralled audience in Ludhiana. Organisers said they were worried about how successful a classical music concert would be in Ludhiana, a city known more for its westernised pop culture that has contributed to a large number of Indian chart toppers. But Pandit Jasraj dismissed all their fears, as did the audience. "The Gurbani ( religious chants to the Sikh Gurus) is inspired by classical music. There are and have been a number of classical music performers from Punjab. Punjab has also given rise to the famed Patiala school of music. What more can I say?" Pandit Jasraj stated. "Everyone was so impressed with Jasraj's music that they didn't move from their seats. There is such power in his voice and such devotion on his face that when he invokes God through his music, it seems as if God himself is present in the hall," said Rakesh, a music lover. Farming no more limited to men in Punjab Chandigarh: Necessity or determination gave a reason to women from Punjab to venture into the fields, as says Sangeeta Deol, a successful farmer who is a polio patient and has always dreamt of a career in agriculture. "I like challenges. I was suffering from polio and people used to treat me badly after my marriage and thus I decided to break the barriers and moved to fields," said Sangeeta. Apart from dairy farming and bee keeping, Sangeeta has specialised in mushroom farming for which she has also set up a laboratory for "spawn making". Marketing was a big problem and she struggled hard to make the way. She also boasted of diversification in agriculture. "The market for mushrooms was limited in Jalandhar. I used to come to Delhi everyday to sell my mushrooms. In the evening I board Shan-e-Punjab and return, look after my family and do the household job," said Sangeeta. Her hard work clicked and Sangeeta was given many awards. The best of all, she says, is 'Farmer of The Year' award when she got Rs 1 lakh in cash. Her honey farm is the best in Punjab and she has also developed a honey extraction machine with her own efforts. Sangeeta feels that a farmer should not depend on government or labour for support. Only if people start looking into the matter on their own Punjab will regain its prosperity. Sangeeta, however, is not alone working in the fields. Harpreet Kaur runs Thiara farm near Hoshiarpur. A landlady of huge farmlands, she is a farmer herself, runs a dairy farm and milks cows herself. Harpreet has dabbled into various new crops and like Sangeeta encourages the idea of diversification. She has been quick to learn the latest agriculture techniques from Punjab Agriculture University and this has stood her in good stead. "I started farming in 1971 with wheat, maize, sugarcane, paddy and horticulture too. I tried vegetables also but could not succeed due to some major problems," said Harpreet Kaur. Harpreet feels women should not restrict themselves to kitchens and must have a career. The trend of women's participation in agriculture is getting a positive response. The society is gradually adopting the idea of women farming, says Dr Rajesh Gill, Sociologist, Punjab University, Chandigarh. However, the journey to success for these women had been long and tough. They had to confront a lot of troubles in public dealing. "The women have to face everybody - tehsildar, panchayat, zamindars and in this male-dominated society the authorities are not used to the idea of dealing with a woman. I think we need to do research in this matter. However, the media projecting the success of such women is a healthy sign for society," said Dr Gill. These women are with a vision and have given a new dimension to agriculture thereby opening the way for others in the field. DISTRESS SALE FORCED ON PUNJAB PADDY FARMERS Amritsar: With the Punjab government in no mood to set a minimum support price for paddy, middlmen and private companies set prices at will, resulting in heavy losses to farmers. Most farmers do not have proper storage facilities. With the monsoon in the offing, they have been left with no choice but to either let the crop rot or sell it to commission agents and private companies at throwaway prices. Farmers are selling their crop at Rs. 400 to Rs. 460 per quintal, as against last year's minimum price of Rs. 530. "We are facing great diffculty, the loss this year has been a lot. The government has set no price for the rice. We have been sitting here for the past 6-7 days, not selling anything. There is no minimum price and we are not able to negotiate with the middlemen, they dictate terms. We cannot do anything, the government has not set any price," said Kartar Singh, a farmer. "Private companies are buying the crop at prices set by them at will. They are not giving us our due. If the government puts a minimum price we will get our due. Right now we are suffering losses to the tune of Rs.100- 120 less per quintal. If the government puts a price then the maximum these middlemen can do is a variation of two to three rupees. We are facing a lot of trouble," added Daljit Singh, another farmer. The loss is even greater for the farmers whose crop got wet in recent rains. They have been forced to sell their crop at prices as low as Rs 330 per quintal. None of the grain markets in the state have proper storage facilities. Farmers say the Amritsar grain market is the worse. "When the rains come there is little we can do. The entire shed leaks. The water keeps on falling and we can do little but cry. We have run from pillar to post trying to get proper storage, but to no avail," said Baldev Singh, a farmer. The prices are at an all-time low and by the time the government sets the minimum price the crop will rot completely, added Singh. Normally the state government buys a sizeable amount of paddy from the farmers. The remaining quota is sold to private companies and middlemen at prices set by the government. However, this year neither has the government purchased the paddy nor has it set a minimum purchase price for the yield. In a rough estimate by commission agents, as much as 10 lakh quintals of paddy has arrived in various grain markets in the Amritsar district. INSIGHT INTO CULTURAL HERITAGE OF PUNJAB Ludhiana: It was a lively blend of music, colour, food and festivity of so many hues, so many origins, and the crowds flocked from all parts of the state to see it. Colourful stalls, selling a range of hand-made artifacts decorate Ludhiana's Government College grounds in what authorities hope will become an annual exercise, to he held in all parts of the country. According to Sujita, a visitor, "Such fairs giving an insight into our culture, should be held regularly all over the country." "It is an opportunity to see the culture of so many states all together. We have seen a number of hand made articles and a variety of cultural programmes by artistes of all states. We need many more such events all over the country", said Parwinder, another visitor. R.T.Jhindal, Director, North Zone Cultural Centre, said, "To show the 6000-year cultural heritage of Punjab to the world, the government of Punjab has come up with a new cultural policy involving the youth of Punjab. The state has been divided into five zones where competitions will be held. A national level contest will also be held wherein schools and colleges from all the states will participate together with state readers, film stars and cultural entities. Artistes from Pakistan will also be invited. Cultures from all over the world will participate." There is no limit to the pride of Punjabis the world over for their own cultural heritage, their dances, their food and simple artifacts that have been traditionally manufactured here for centuries. But there is also no dearth in their acceptance and appreciation of cultures of other states and parts of the world. This special fair has been a huge hit, bringing it all under one roof. JAWANS TEACHING THREE R's TO OLD MEN, COMPUTERS TO YOUNGSTERS Burj (Punjab): Uniformed men guarding borders for the past 10 months have taken upon them an extra task in the villages of Punjab. The army personnel are teaching letters to old men and computers to the youngsters. The army, deployed after a militant attack on parliament in December 2001, says the exercise helped them gain goodwill of the villagers. Most of those who troop to the makeshift classroom in Burj village are old farmers who never went to school in their childhood. "We feel this is a very good effort by the army as we could read neither Punjabi nor Hindi. But now I can read English and Punjabi both," said Santok Singh, a villager. The initiative has helped the army in gaining confidence of the border residents, considered crucial in war. Villagers, who had opposed the army deployment because it disrupted their agriculture, now find the soldiers' presence comforting. "The army is very helpful. Since the time they came here we have not had any untoward incident in our villages. We feel safe here. It is very good for us," Singh added. The army has more in store for the youngsters of the village. Computer classes started by the army are a big draw among class eleven and twelve students. The classes are free and the youth appreciate it. "It has really proved helpful for us because earlier some parents were unable to pay heavy fees for computer education. But now these army personnel are giving us education free of cost. Children are taking a lot of interest in learning computers," said Hardeep Kaur, a student. The army says these activities keep them occupied because borders are relatively tension-free. Gurpal Singh, a Brigadier, said teaching young children and interacting with villagers has been the perfect de-stresser for the soilders. "We thought of giving them extra education alongwith their regular studies, we have decided to start advanced studies. We have a computer and instructors who can teach computers and know that these villagers will never get any other chance of learning computers. Thus we came upon the concept of holding computer classes and have launched this scheme," said Singh. The army runs several peacetime projects in health, education and road building to help the local population in border states. In 2001, it launched a 600,000 rupee "Operation Sadbhavna" to build closer ties between the army and the local people in Jammu and Kashmir. The army is running five schools in Kargil and ten vocational training centres in Kargil and Leh where over 600 village women were trained in skills ranging from traditional knitting to computer handling. PUNJAB SENDS 450 OF ITS STAFF TO J AND K ON POLL DUTY Amritsar: Over 450 government officials from Punjab have gone to Jammu and Kashmir state on election duty. Security has been reinforced and administrative staff for poll work are being despatched in large numbers. The first phase of the election will be held on Mondat, September 16. New Delhi pins hopes on the peaceful and orderly conduct of the four-phase Assembly elections to prove the legitimacy of its rule in the region. Unlike the reluctance seen among government employees in Uttar Pradesh to accept election duties in the revolt-racked state, the officialdom in Punjab was enthusiastic about taking up their challenging assignments as 450 policemen and officials left by 11 buses on Wednesday. "We are all going happily. We will stay there happily. Whether it takes us fifteen days or a month, we will happily do our duties there. Wherever we are put on duties, we will do our duties with pride," said Satnam Singh, a public servant headed for Kashmir. "We are going there for service to the nation. Our soldiers are already doing a lot there and we want to do our bit too and contribute," said Dayal Kumar, another public servant. They are part of the first batch of a total of 2,500 staff from Punjab alone who will man the polling booths and also officiate counting of ballots on electronic voting machines (EVMs). An almost equal number of UP government employees proficient in Urdu, the main language of India's only Muslim-majority state, are also on their way to Jammu and Kashmir. All elections in India are conducted by the independent Election Commission but it does not have enough of its own staff for conducting polls in the country, the largest democracy in the world. The Central and state government employees as well as the security forces are deputed to the Commission during the poll period. The final phase of the elections will be held on October 8. Simple but lively sports fair in Punjab village Kot Gangu Rai Village (Punjab): The bullock cart race is one of the most-watched events of the four-day long sports fair organised in Kot Gangu Rai village in Punjab every year. This year the winner took 21,000 rupees and a trophy. Prizes for other victorious participants are much earthly items like ghee canisters and blankets. The tradition of holding rural sports fair in this village goes back to 56 years. Villagers say the fair is held in memory of a local saint."The fair is organised evey year in the memory of Baba (Saint Nagpal). We have been organising this fair for the past 56 years. It is a joint effort by the village panchayat and the Guru Nanak Sports Club," said Satinder Singh, president of the club. Other events at the fair include kabaddi, long and high jumps for women, tug of war and pigeon flying. But it is not an all-game affair. There is a carnival-like atmosphere with horses dancing to drumbeats and men displaying exquisite skills in delicately balancing cycles at the end of a tall pole. A young boy who succeeded in lifting weights in the second attempt was the connossieur of all eyes.The simple and rustic fair attracts thousands of people from the surrounding villages. "We are very happy to take part in this fair. These sports help us keep our culture and tradition alive," said Amarjit Singh, a participant. Part of the expenses - over Rs 700,000 rupees are spent in four days - comes as grant from non-resident Indians (NRIs). The stadium at the centre of the village was built by Nazar Singh, an NRI, in memory of his father Gurdial Singh.(ANI) downloads

TOURISM TOURISM Situated in the north western corner of the country, the land-locked state of Punjab is bound on the west by Pakistan, on north by Jammu and Kashmir, on north east by Himachal Pradesh and on south by Haryana and Rajasthan. Punjab is the home of the holiest shrine of the Sikh faith – the Golden Temple of Amritsar. The world famous tample is located in the heart of Amritsar, a city that has a long history behind it. A visit to the Golden Temple, its serene surroundings can bring more relaxation and peace than any holiday to be had anywhere else. The State of Punjab, though small is endowed with some very nice holiday resorts and places of historical interest. And not the least, even the new creations like the fabled city of Le Corbusier – the city of Chandigarh, capital of Punjab. Punjab is easy to reach by road or rail or by air from Delhi the capital of India. Soon Punjab is expected to have its own international airport that will travel easier and direct into the state from the West. Even so the road journey from Delhi or a ride into the state by train is comfortable. Holidays in Punjab can be very cost effective. Your money goes far here. The hotels are clean and cheap. Punjabi food, the craze of the world today is best here. You can have a decent mean for as low an amount as a dollar and even in five star luxury the meal may not cost you more than a few dollars or pounds. Punjab is the place for some very good shopping. Hand looms and hosiery goods are exported from here to far corners of the world. Every holiday means some shopping for people back at home. This is the place where you do some very good shopping and anjoy it-for you get real value for your money. The very mention of this state evokes images of acres and acres of lush green fields, majestic dams, robust men and women in gaily coloured dresses, vibrant music and vigorous dances. But this land of plenty and prosperity has never been a favoured tourist destination and loses out to its immediate neighbours, especially Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. If you have adventure in your blood and a throbbing desire for a culturally and historically enlightening experience laced with loads of fun and frolic, then this bread basket of India, has quite a few surprises in store for you - and very pleasant ones at that. Join us on a joyous trip to this land of five rivers and discover for yourself the pleasure that is Punjab..... AMRITSAR The home of the world famous Golden Temple, the biggest pilgrimage centre of the Sikhs, Amritsar is the most important seat of Sikh history and culture, trade and also the gateway for travellers coming to India on the overland route through Pakistan. Apart from the Golden Temple, Amritsar also has the historic Jalliawalan Bagh, the Durgiana Temple and Ram Bagh, undoubtedly the most beautiful garden in Punjab. Today Amritsar is India’s important distribution centre of dry fruits, tea (next only to Calcutta), condimens and is a leading exporter of goods to Middle East. Woollen tweeds ,suitings, blankets, shawls in traditional weaves, ivory (now plastic) inlay furniture,swords of all designs, oils, scents, juttis, cut-glass crockery, selected musical instruments and carpets. It is one of the leading publication centres, especially in Punjabi language, is India’s manufacturing centre of Ayurvedic medicines and renowned for treatment of eye diseases. Amritsar is the home of traditional Punjabi cuisine, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Its pickles, murabbas, papad and wadian and sweet meats are exported far and wide. Rambagh This magnificent garden is intersected by water channels and fitted with fountains and golden fish. Its unique feature is the rare coniferous trees and herbal plants which do not normally grow in the plains of Punjab LUDHIANA Called the ‘Manchester of India’, Ludhiana is Punjab’s most populous metropolis. Its historical importance lies in the town of Sanghol which figures prominently on the archaelogical atlas of India. Excavations here have yielded coins and seals related to nomadic rulers, Toramana and Mahiragula, belonging to central Asia. A Buddhist stupa was excavated in 1968. In February 1985, a virtual treasure of 117 beautifully carved stone-slabs, pillars, crossbars, figures and figurines were excavated. Punjab scholars have related them to Mathura school of first and second century A.D. These priceless pieces have been displayed for art lovers and historians in the museum at Sanghol. Ludhiana is also known for its hosiery goods which are in demand in all markets of east and west including Russia and USA. Machine tools, dyes, cycle parts, mopeds, sewing machines and motor parts are also exported from Ludhiana. Home to India’s leading agricultural university - the Punjab Agricultural University, patterned after the Land Grant College of America – Ludhiana is also the land of fairs and spearhead of Green Revolution. Khanna, its satellite town, is Asia’s biggest grain market. Qila Raipur on the outskirts of the town is the progenitor of rural sports. JALANDHAR This oldest city in Punjab today has the maximum number of non-resident Indians (NRIs). This has made it a rich and forward-looking city. It is famed all over the world for its quality sports goods. Historic monuments in and around the city include 800-year old Imam Nasir masoleum, Devi Talaab and 400-year old Jama Masjid. Jalandhar is one of the biggest centres of vernacular press in India. Its satellite town, Phagwara, is a leading industrial focal point with famous cloth manufacturing and sugar mills. Because of its NRI association, its cloth and drapery shops have become international shopping centres. Another satellite town, Goraya, produces fodder chopping machines of all types – called toka in Indian languages- and is known as the Toka town of India. Now it is famous for manufacturing harvesting combines and axles of all kinds.Kartarpur is one of the biggest exporters of quality furniture. PATIALA The capital of the princely state Patiala is a tourists’ delight. Spots like Qilla Androon, Moti Bagh Palace, Seesh Mahal and Baradari Garden vie for the visitors’ attention. Qilla Mubarak, which is the nucleus of the city, houses impressive armoury and chandeliers. Colourful prandas, nalas, chunnis, Patiala jutties embroidered in gold and silver threads and phulkari motifs are unique handicrafts of Patiala. ANANDPUR SAHIB With the backdrop of Naina Devi hills, Anandpur Sahib has a number of historical gurudwaras. It was here that the tenth guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, gave a new form of baptism and called the Sikhs thus baptised, Khalsas. On the day following Holi, Anandpur Sahib becomes a hub of activity with devotees flock there to participate in Hola Mohalla celebrations. Hola Mohalla is the most colourful and the only of its type yearly event unique to Punjab. SIRHIND Standing amidst the ruins of beautiful mosques and tombs, Sirhind was an important city during the Mughal period. It was here in the ancient Sirhind Fort that the two young sons of Guru Gobind Singh were bricked alive when they refused to embrace Islam. Fatehgarh Sahib Gurudwara marks the spot of the incident. Close by is the Rauza of Hazrat Mujadadud-din-Altaf Sheikh Ahmed Farooqu regarded by many Muslims to be only second to Prophet Mohammad. Aam Khas Bagh is another attraction of Sirhind. This garden was originally built by emperor Akbar and later improved upon by Jehangir and Shahjehan. Rare plants of Mughal period still exist here. HOSHIARPUR An ancient city of temples. Archaeological evidence takes its antiquity back to the stone age. It is a centre of Indo-Sanskrit studies and Bhrigu Sanhita astrology. It is an ancient manufacturing town of colourful lacquer and (earlier ivory but now) plastic inlay furniture. Sheesh Mahal in the centre of the city depicts the coronation of King George V. SANGRUR Government Civil Secretariat and Diwan or Assembly Hall of the erstwhile state are some of its worth mentioning structures. The well planned Banesar Garden also merits a mention. This garden along with its walking trails and plantations is famous for its marble Baradari, mini zoo and the old Diwan Khana which is a museum now. KAPURTHALA It is a city of fabulous buildings and boulevard. Panch Mandir, Moorish Mosque, Shalimar Garden, Jagjit Palace (now Sainik School) have few equals in design and construction. please clik below E-CARD FOR YOU take a tour

FESTIVALS FESTIVALS Hola Mohalla Coinciding with the last day of Holi - the festival of colours - and marking a grand finale of the festivities, Hola Mohalla celebration is a major annual attraction. It is a symbol of Guru Gobind Singh’s fight against the shackles of tyranny. The main function is held at Anandpur Sahib - one of the four takhts of the Sikhs. Hola Mohalla is a festival directly linked to the reformative creativity of Guru Gobind Singh - the tenth and the last of the Sikh gurus. The guru was a great revivalist and sought to give a new form and meaning to tradition which needed change and revival. Holi was one such instance. This festival of colour and joyous reunion had degenerated into an occasion for rowdyism, revenge and general mayhem. It had become, at that juncture, a day to harass, settle scores and dominate over others by brute force. Quite .simply put, Holi meant trouble. Guru Gobind Singh’s lofty vision and philosophy completely transformed the nature of the festival of colour. He entreated the people to appreciate and understand Holi’s finer points like the sense of fraternity and brotherhood it stood for. He asked his followers to offer prayers and remember past sacrifices of those who had sought to better the world for all. He popularised the use of gulab jal, to be sprinkled in a spirit of friendship and equality. He also decided that the occasion of Holi be one to display the martial spirit of his people and he gave the festival a more masculine name of Hola Mohalla. The mood caught on and a dramatic transformation came about in the character of the festival. The once boisterous crowds became a congregation of devotees. Hola Mohalla came to signify joy, the rejuvenation of spirit and a timing for caring. Today the festival is a faithful rendition of the guru’s wishes. To honour his desire that all should freely participate in the celebrations of Holi, thousands of people gather every year at Anandpur Sahib on the occasion. On reaching there, the crowds first pay their obeisance at Shri Keshgarh Sahib which is one of the most attractive specimens of Sikh architecture. It was here that the ‘Khalsa’ was created by Guru Gobind Singh. Legend has it that it was here that the tenth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, had asked five people to come forward and lay down their lives for him in front of a huge gathering. One by one he took them to a tent and came out with a bloody sword. He needed men who could offer themselves completely without questioning to the Guru. This, he said, was the spirit of a Sikh. Then he showed that he had killed only a goat in the tent and those five brave men were declared the Five Beloved or “Panj Piaras”. The Guru then proclaimed that one such brave man equaled ‘Sawa Lakh’ (one hundred and twenty five thousand) ordinary men. The devotees then go to the gurudwara to pay homage to the Holy Granth Sahib and to the weapons of the last guru that are on display there. After this they move on to take part in the community kitchen where some cook while others serve. Everybody sits on the ground in rows to be served food. They eat together irrespective of caste, creed or status. This symbolises the equality of mankind. It is indeed a moving experience to participate in this ‘langar’. Later the people join in the fun and frolic of the mela. They move around playing games, listening to ballad singers, folk artists or may go on to hear political speeches or witness a folk theatre performance. The singing, light and sound programmes and Kirtan Durbars continue round the clock during all the three days of Hola Mohalla. One major attraction of the festival is the display of martial arts by the Nihangs. Nihangs are ascetic militants who first appeared on the religio-political scene somewhere around 1690 under the leadership of Man Singh, a prominent disciple of Guru Gobind Singh. They gained exceptional prominence in the 18th century under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and were renowned for their exemplary discipline. They are easily spotted by their unique high conical deep blue turbans called ‘Pharhara’ The martial arts practised by them called ‘Gatka’ requires considerable training which is started early in life. Though the emphasis is on sword play, lances and fire rings are also used. In deep blue robes with saffron girdles and high conical turbans decorated with steel ring, with flowing beards, the mustachioed Nihangs enact mock battles on this occasion. Armed with spears and swords, riding horses, Nihangs show off their art of fencing and tent pegging to thousands of people gathered to witness their incredible feats. The festival concludes with a huge procession called “Mohalla” lead by ‘Panj Piaras’. The procession is accompanied by musical instruments such as Nagaras and Ranasinghas similar to those used during the time of the gurus. By evening, as the sun sets splashing the western horizon with a soft crimson hue, the grand congregation of Hola Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib starts to disperse. The large throng of devotees fan out in all directions and the air vibrates with “Jo Bole so Nihal Sat Sri Akal”- the war cry of the crusaders of faith. Hola Mohalla is much more than a festival for the Sikhs. It is a reaffirmation of their binding faith in the virtue of jap, meant to invoke the Almighty’s blessings. And above all it is a recreation of history - mindful of the guru’s desire to adhere to realistic norms which benefit the society in general. Not the least, it is an occasion to voice opinions on the community, what it stands for and a time for self-appraisal. Baisakhi Baisakhi is another prominent festival which is celebrated with much gaiety in the state of Punjab. It is celebrated to mark the culmination of the Rabi harvesting season and is a time for merry-making after reaping the harvests of their hard work. The main fair at Damdama Sahib in Bhatinda district dates back to 250 years and is held every year for three days from the 30th day of Chait to the 2nd day of Baisakhi of Bikram calendar (in mid-April). According to legends, Guru Gobind Sahib had stayed at this place for nine months after the fierce battles of Anandpur, Chamkaur and Muktsar. During this period, he re-dictated the Ad Granth and made Damdama Sahib, a centre for spreading his mission. He declared the place ‘Khalsa da Takhat’ or the throne of Khalsa. Pilgrims at the fair pay obeisance at all the ten gurudwaras here and offer karah at Takhat Shri Guru Kashi where an attendant pierces it with a small iron spear and retains half of it. The touch of iron spear is considered to add to the sanctity of the karah. Clothes and other belongings of Guru Gobind Singh and his family are exhibited to the visitors here. A dip in the ‘Gur Sa Sarovar’ in the morning of the Baisakhi day is a must for every devotee. Recitation of the Granth Sahib is made at all the gurudwaras. About ten diwans (religious conferences) are arranged at the fair where religious discourses are held by prominent leaders of the community. Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan, Jalandhar This sangeet sammelan was started in 1875 by Baba Harballabh in memory of his guru Swami Tulja Giri. It has been an annual feature since then. The sammelan attracts prominent artists from all over the country and also upcoming folk artists from nearby villages. This is one of the biggest sangeet sammelans organised in India and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India recognises this sammelan as a national festival. Presently, this sangeet sammelan is organised in the last week of December every year by Shri Baba Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan Mahasabha, Jalandhar, in collaboration with the North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala. Jor Mela, Sirhind Jor Mela at Sirhind commemorates the victory of the Sikhs at this place almost 300 years ago. This place is revered by the Sikh community as the site where the two sons of Guru Gobind Singh offered supreme sacrifice. Devotees pay their homage to the Guru and hymns and recitations from the holy epics by the folk minstrels mark the occasion. Exuberant festivities blended with lilting folk music, rustic songs and throbbing rhythms of Punjab’s boisterous dances - Bhangra and Gidda - reverberate the air. Langars catering to the jostling crowds are a major attraction. There are also rows of stalls offering regional fare and sweets. Exotic handicrafts, jewellery, traditional weapons and costumes are also on display and sale BHANGRA

sikhism Sikhism 1) Sikhism is a practical religion. It does not consist in a certain set of beliefs or mere words. Religion does not imply wandering to shrines and tombs, or following austerities of Yogis. Sikhism is a way of life, something to be lived according to a pattern. Its main virtue is simplicity. There is no supernaturalism or mythology on which it rests. It does not believe in devils or angels or heavenly spirits. 2) Sikhism is a universal religion. 3) Sikhism is opposed to all ritualism and formalism. 4) Sikhism does not enjoin blind faith. Blind obedience to an external authority is dis-couraged. The death of the intellect can not be a condition of the life of the spirit. Faith does not start with surmises or absurdities. 5) Sikhism is a faith of hope and cheer. Though it affirms Karma, it recognises the possibility of the modification of one's Karma with the grace of the Guru or God. It does not lead to despair and defeatism. 6) Sikhism is a democratic religion. The decisions of the Sangat are regarded as resolutions having the force of law (Gurmatta) Guru Gobind Singh Sahib vested the authority of the organisation in the Panth. more about sikhism

we are lancers we are lancers no one can beat us. no one cen compeat with us. we are all time frontiers and volunteers. we are brave , we are finest. we are gaint , we are shinest. but all of above we are great punjabies lancer