Tourist attractions in Ludhiana

It draws both Hindu and Muslim pilgrims.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum:
Then there is the other tourist attraction of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum. The foundation of this museum was laid in 1990. The museum was planned to create general awareness about the defence services, not only for its role in defending the country but also in strengthening the bonds of national integration and unity.

The museum, though not yet complete, has regular shows in a light and sound hall. This presentations showcase the stories of bravery of Indian especially Punjabi soldiers in upholding the pride of the motherland.

Punjab Agricultural University:
On the outskirts of the city is the world famous Punjab Agricultural University, which is modelled on the Land Grant of America. The University has a Rural Museum, which houses local arts and crafts and objects belonging to the ancient times. The University also organizes a Kisan Mela every year.

Weekend Trips/Excursions:
Ludhiana offers some excellent spots for daylong excursions.

Macchiwara:
In the village Machhiwara about 35 km from Ludhiana, is the Gurudwara Charan Kanwal named after the Guru's feet that are compared to the lotus flower. When Aurangzeb's army attacked the fortress of Chamkaur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh successfully resisted their onslaught and slipped away into the forests of Machhiwara. The Mughal forces got wind of his whereabouts and Guru Gobind was saved by two of his Muslim devotees who disguised him as their Muslim prophet. The place where the Guru rested is where the Gurudwara stands today.

Alamgir:
Ten kilometers away from Ludhiana is Alamgir, where the Gurudwara Manji Sahib is situated. It is believed that the two Muslim devotees placed a cot here, in which the Guru was being carried. There is a ten feet deep tank near the Gurudwara where, according to a legend, Guru Gobind Singh shot an arrow into the parched land, which miraculously yielded water.

Killa Raipur:
Twenty kilometres away from Ludhiana is Killa Raipur, which is famous for the Rural Olympics held there. Here, the local population comes to watch the village youth display their sporting skills. The event is held in mid-February.

The competitions are essentially of three types in the rural meets. Purely rural games are kabaddi, wrestling, and weight lifting. The performing sports are acrobatics, twisting an iron-rod by placing it on the Adam's apple, passing a tractor over the rib cage, cracking a big stone slab by place it on the chest. There are even more off beat feats, as seen where a young lad applied surma (kohl) on his eyes, with a knife held between his legs. And then there are the modern sports like athletics, hockey, football, volleyball, handball, cycling.

Jallandhar:
Thirty-four kilometres away from Ludhiana is Jallandhar, the 'Sports City of India'. Jallandhar boasts of many historic monuments. Prominent among them are the mausoleum of Imran Nasir, the fort at Phillaur which once served as Maharaja Ranjit Singh's line of defence against the British, a Shiv Mandir which dates back to the Lodhi era and the Gurdwara at Kartarpur nearby. The Gurdwara was built by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Dev in 1656. Every year, a fair is held on the birth anniversary of the Guru when a large number of devotees gather to pay homage.

Khanna:
Khanna is a satellite town of Ludhiana. It boasts of Asia's biggest grain market.

Events and Festivals:

Kisan Mela:
Every year, the Punjab Agricultural University organizes a Kisan Mela in Ludhiana. At the festival, new techniques of farming are shown to the farmers. New hybrid quality seeds of food grains are displayed and sold.

Prof. Mohan Singh Mela:
This is a cultural festival where artists, writers, poets and dancers from all over Punjab gather and perform. The aim of this festival is to promote Punjabi culture, language and literature.

Some other festivals that are celebrated in Ludhiana are the Chhapar Festival, Baisakhi and Guru Purab.