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Punjab, the land of five rivers is a favourite tourist destination for national and international tourists. When planning a trip to Punjab, it is common to think of places like the Golden Temple, Wagah Border, and Jallianwala Bagh, but there’s a side of the state that most tourists are unaware of. Yes, we are talking about the offbeat things to do in Punjab that take you closer to the state’s history and culture like never before. With just a little planning and an itinerary in hand, you can set out to explore a unique side of the state.
10 Offbeat Things To Do In Punjab
Questions like, what to do in Punjab? are common to cross your mind, especially if it is your first time. Besides popular tourist places, Punjab offers plenty of offbeat things to see and try.
1. Visit Harike Wetland And Bird Sanctuary
Photo: Eva-Maria Kintzel / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Although Harike Wetland is the largest wetland in northern India, travellers often overlook it. But if you are a nature enthusiast, you should include Harike Wetland in your itinerary. The highlight of this place is the large variety of bird species that migrate here during the winter. Also, this place is recognised as an important wetland by the Ramsar Convention. If you are planning to visit Punjab between November and January, you can spend a day at Harike Wetland, watching migratory birds without dealing with the crowd.
Location: Maujgarh, Punjab
Timings: 9 AM – 4 PM
2. Explore Mughal Sarai
Photo: Journojp / Wikimedia Commons
When looking for offbeat things to see in Punjab, you are likely to come across Mughal Sarai Doraha. Some people may recognise this place from the Bollywood movie, Rang De Basanti. This is the same place where they shot the song, “Tu Bin Bataye.” As far as the history of this place is concerned, it was built during Jehangir’s era, when it was used as a caravan Sarai. It was particularly used for Mughal caravans to halt at night. Although the structure is several centuries old, you can still see the architectural designs that reflect Mughal elements.
Location: Ward No. 13, Ludhiana District, Doraha, Punjab
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
3. Be A Part Of Hola Mohalla
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
One of the offbeat things to do in Punjab that travellers may not know about is the Holla Mohalla festival. If you happen to visit Punjab in March, you can be a part of the festival and experience something new. This three-day festival takes place in Anandpur Sahib and is an important event for the Sikh community. Every year, Sikhs come together to celebrate this festival and participate in various activities like horse racing, and Gatka martial arts. They also perform live bhangra, the traditional Punjabi dance at the festival.
Location: Anandpur Sahib
Timings: March
4. Learn The Art Of Chikki Making
Photo: Annelies Brouw / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Made of jaggery, Chikki is a delicious treat that is hard to resist. If you are interested to see how it is made, you should head to Chandigarh. Although Chikki is made all over Punjab, Chandigarh offers a special experience. There you will find sugarcane fields, where they make Chikki with fresh jaggery. You can request them to show you the process and learn something new on your trip. Not to mention, you can also try the most authentic Chikki in Chandigarh.
Location: Chandigarh
Timings: 24*7
5. Serve As A Volunteer At Golden Temple
One of the best things to do in Punjab is to serve as a volunteer at Golden Temple. While most tourists visit this holy place to pay their homage, you can do things a little differently. You can choose to serve as a volunteer for a day and experience something beautiful. From working in the kitchen to cleaning the temple, you have to do all sorts of things as a volunteer. Something is soothing about working as volunteers without creating a fuss and being a part of the spiritual brotherhood.
Location: Golden Temple Way, Town Hall, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Amritsar Cantt
Timings: 24*7
6. Visit Gurudwara Baba Atal Sahib
Photo: AXP Photography / Pexels
If you are in the city of Amritsar and looking for offbeat things to do, you should visit the Gurudwara Baba Atal Sahib. This historic place offers a lovely view of the city from its terrace. With a height of 45 metres, this happens to be the tallest building in the city. There are nine floors in this building and each of them is adorned with beautiful artwork. From here, you can enjoy a stunning view of the Golden Temple, which is located just a few metres away. There is also a meditation room on the top floor of the gurdwara, where you can relax your mind or watch views from the balcony.
Location: S18/476, Atta Mandi, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Amritsar Cantt., Punjab
Timings: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM
7. Experience Rural Life At Sadda Pind
Photo: Saddapind / Wikimedia Commons
You will not hear many tourists talk about Sadda Pind, but it allows you to experience rural life in Punjab. Situated on the Amritsar bypass, this living theme park is built on several acres of land. People come here to experience the traditional lifestyle of Punjabis in old villages. Once you are at Sadda Pind, you will see that it is a replica of an old village. Locals here wear traditional dresses and live in mud houses. Besides exploring the place, you can also participate in various activities like pottery and embroidery.
Location: Behind Main Bypass Road, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab
Timings: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
8. Nature At Nepli Reserve Forest And Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: KL47N YT / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Located in Chandigarh, Nepli Reserve Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect place for nature lovers. This nature reserve was built to control the siltation of Sukhna Lake. Occupying an area of 26 square kilometres, the reserve is home to a large variety of flora and fauna. The plants and trees here help increase organic matter in the soil, which in turn reduces the siltation of Sukhna Lake. From reptiles to mammals, and birds, you can spot various animals at the reserve. An interesting thing to see is the watchtowers that are supported by rest houses.
Location: Sector 19, Chandigarh, Punjab
Timings: Sunrise to sunset
9. Explore History At The Partition Museum
Photo: Vengolis / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Partition Museum in Amritsar is a special place, where you can see and learn a lot of things about the 1947 partition. It takes you through a journey into the lives of those who were affected by the partition of the country. The museum features a thoughtful design and has several sections. Each section holds a unique aspect of the partition story. As you enter the museum, you are greeted by the introductory gallery, where you can see maps and other stuff related to the partition.
Location: Hall Rd, Town Hall, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab 143006
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
10. Visit Dhanas Lake
Photo: Harvinder Chandigarh / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
If you are fond of bird-watching, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit Dhanas Lake. This is the best place to enjoy nature and spot various bird species. One of the highlights of this place is the solar photovoltaic plants that float on the lake. It was set up by CREST (Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society) to promote solar power. The lake also offers a lovely view of the lush greenery which is perfect for taking walks.
Location: Dhanas Main Rd, Dhanas, Chandigarh, 160014
Timings: 24*7
The offbeat things to do in Punjab not only offer a unique experience but also provide a fresh perspective on the state. By opting for such a trip, you get to dive deeper into Punjab’s culture and traditions. So, if you are ready for an unforgettable trip, make sure to have an itinerary ready. For better planning, you have TripXL to help you.
Cover Photo: Darshak Pandya / Pexels
