Punjab, the land of five rivers and integrated cultural history, is a treasure trove for an avid tourist. For this land of the great gurus not only boasts of ancient monuments but throbs with historical embodiments.
It is no secret that whoever comes to this land of yellow fields with blue mountains providing the romantic and picturesque backdrop has never gone back without imbibing the essence of Punjab.
For a traveler, Punjab is a wonderful tourist destination and especially if your visit a countryside place or Pind (village) is what you wish to explore on your luxury Punjab travel, spend some in a traditional Punjab village.
What to See and feel in Punjab Village :
Stay in the Punjab Village home. Early morning visit the houses to see and feel how the day in the village starts. Men give bath to their Cows and milk them. The ladies of the House will light their hearths with cow dung and leaves to cook food. The Punjab villager farmers plough their fields with bullocks.
Potters collect clay from nearby pond (Chhappar) and make clay pottery, Surahi and Ghara (vessels for storing water), dishes, jars, etc.
Sit and see the creative ability of the women in Phulkari embroidery of different design and blending of harmonious colours.
Watch village metal-workers or Lohars casting, soldering and making metal things like Hammer, Sickle, garden tools, pots and common utensils used in the village kitchen.
Visit Carpenters or Tarkhans to see them carving traditional and regional style Doors, Windows, Beds, chairs, tables, etc out of different Woods
You can walk along the swaying mustard fields, take a ride on a tractor, take the cattle for grazing, feed the cattle or simply sit, relax and gulp down the fresh buttermilk in the green fields.
What to eat :
* Stuffed Alloo (Potatoes), Gobhi (Cauliflower) or Muli (Reddish) Paranthas with fresh Butter and a glass of butter milk.
* Sarson Ka Saag (Mustard Leaves) and Makki Ki Roti (Corn Flour) with Onion chutney.
* Mah Ki Dal (Black Lentil), Baingan Bhartha (mashed Eggplant), Bhunna Gosht (Mutton), Butter Chicken, Tandoori Roti (Baked Bread) and Dahi Raita (Curd).
What to Visit :* Golden Temple Amritsar, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple and local Gurudwaras.
* Wagah Border to watch Indo-Pak Border closing ceremony.
* Punjab Bazar.
* Punjab Village Home
Punjab has received hospitality as a God's gift and in Punjab villages it remains supreme. It resides in the soul of rural folks. Reach a home in the middle of the night, the ladies will happily get up and cook fresh food for you. You can't pass by certain villages without enjoying hospitality.
You'll be looked after so long as you stay. You will be warmly sent off, not empty handed, but with a gift of whatever is available in the house.
Like all other human traits of the people of Punjab their hospitality is also guileless, rare and intense. It is an ubiquitous theme of Punjabi folk lore. When the crow, sitting atop the roof, crows, or dough when it is being kneaded bubbles, folk songs tell us that these are auspicious omens which convey that a guest is on his way. There are several other sayings which speak of the pleasures that are derived by looking after visitors.
Good habitat, laughter, playfulness and love form the environment in which hospitality grows in Punjab. May the culture of this blessed land of the five rivers perpetuate and ever grow !
