Mahindra Homestays » Punjab

Things to do in Amritsar

Mahindra Homestays — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 20:00:43 +0000

The city of Amritsar in the state of Punjab in Northern India has lots to offer visitors. People flock to see the glittering Golden Temple but also discover a city full of interesting sights and plenty of world-class restaurants. Here are some things to do in Amritsar to make the most of this vibrant destination.

1. The Golden Temple

The Harmandir Sahib commonly known as the Golden Temple is a prominent Sikh gurdwara. Construction of the Golden Temple began in 1574 on land donated by the Mughal emperor Akbar. The building project was overseen by the fourth and fifth Sikh Gurus.

The temple was completed in 1601, but restoration and embellishment continued over the years. The Golden Temple has unique architecture. It has been deliberately built at a level lower than that of the neighbouring land in order to teach the lesson of equality and humility. The shrine can be accessed from all four directions signifying that people belonging to every walk of life are equally welcome.

The only restrictions are that visitors must not drink alcohol, eat meat or smoke in the shrine. Visitors are asked to leave their footwear at a facility near the entrance, cover their head and wash their feet by wading through the shallow pool before entering. It is advised to come here keeping a few hours spare in order to soak in the magic of this divine temple.

2. Jalianwala Bagh

A historical monument telling the sad story of mass killing during India’s freedom struggle is another must visit in Amritsar. The site is famous for the memorial of the martyrs of the 1919 carnage carried out by British General Dyer. He was convinced that a major insurrection was going on and hence banned all meetings. On being informed that about 15,000 people had gathered at Jalianwala Bagh, he along with 50 riflemen opened fire and kept firing till all ammunition was exhausted. Although, Dyer was removed from duty and forced to retire, this tragic incident left a deep scar on the people and was a catalyst in quickening the struggle for Freedom. The place also has a park. The Martyr’s Gallery is open to all from 10 am to 4 pm during winters and from 9 am to 5 pm in summers.

3. Wagah Border

Wagah, on the Indo-Pakistan border, is 28 kms from Amritsar. Numerous visitors come to see the ceremonious change of guards and the flag hoisting and lowering activities done skillfully and with precision by the border security forces of both the countries. It is interesting to note that border security forces of both India and Pakistan undergo the elaborate ceremony jointly! The ceremony is impressive and one of its kind in India, and is a sure shot recipe to evoke feelings of patriotism. The flag down ceremony starts at 4:30pm and goes on till 5:00pm.

4. Khair-ud-Din Masjid
Renowned for its architectural beauty, Jama Masjid Khairuddin is one of the most admired religious center of Amritsar. Famous among the tourists as well as the locals, this beautiful mosque was built by Muhammad Khairuddin in 1876. This holy place is where Tootie-e-Hind, Shah Attaullah Bukhari raised his voice against the British rule. This grand edifice of the freedom struggle displays one of a kind architectural elegance. Do note that being located in the midst of a busy market, this mosque is quite crowded.

5. Durgiana Mandir

Located in close proximity to the Golden temple is the Durgiana Mandir which was built during the 16th century. Although dedicated to Goddess Durga it also houses other deities such as Lakshmi and Narayana. Located in the middle of a pristine lake, it does not follow the typical temple architecture of ancient times. A renowned depository of Hindu scriptures, this temple displays an unusual grandeur and elegance of its own.

6. Akal Takht

The Akal Takht, next to the Golden Temple, is the seat of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, the religious governing body of the Sikhs. The principal sacred text of Sikhism, Adi Granth is housed in the ground floor of the Akal Takht and is taken out in procession every morning to be placed at the Harmandir Sahib. Again at night, it is brought back to the Akal Takht. It also houses the 68 holy shrines of the Hindus and according to the teachings of Guru Arjan Dev. It was enough for the devout to visit these shrines and not visit all the original Hindu shrines which are spread all over the country so come visit the Akal takht if you’re seeking a short cut to your journey of spirituality!

7. Shopping
Shopping in Amritsar can be very exciting and you will be spoilt with the amount of choice that is available. Famous for its traditional Phulkari Embroidery, Amritsar can be quite a haven for shoppers. Also available are the beautiful Patiala Salwars worn by the women of this region. To team with them get the Punjabi Jutis, the traditional shoes of the people of this region. Considering that Amritsar does got quite chilly during the winters, you can also buy here some fantastic woollen garments, carpets and blankets woven by the people of Punjab.

The old city bazaars are the best places to go for shopping the traditional items. You can try out Guru Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar and Shastri Market to get hold of some elegant Patialas. The market places are abuzz with activity right from 11:00 in morning till 9:00 in the evening.

8. Food

Last but not the least, no write up of Amritsar could ever be complete without mention of food. Known for their fish fry, lassi, paranthas, puri channa, Kulfi, Sarson ka saag and makki ki roti you are going to need days if not weeks to sample all of it!

Kesar da dhaba in the heart of old city whips up some delicious but also quite heavy food. Surjeet food plaza located in a capacious basement on Lawrence Road is best known for its yellow daal, paneer dishes, and the tandoori fish. KulchaLand located at the District Shopping Complex serves up delicious Amritsari kulchas from morning till evening 4 p.m. The pickles, jams and jellies of Amritsar, made by the rural women are great to carry back home.

Related articles and links of interest
Amrisar destination guide
Amritsar homestay collection

A Sumptuous Fill of Punjab – Aloo Amritsari recipe

Mahindra Homestays — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:26:52 +0000

Known for their heart-warming hospitality and their equal devotion to culinary skills, the Punjabi community of India is where your stomach is going to guide you first.

Sinfully delicious and rich in taste, Punjabi food is popular world-over. The most famous dish that everyone in the world reckons with is the butter chicken. Apart from this, a host of milk based sweets and savouries that are hard to miss.

Do try the famous yogurt based drink, Lassi and the well known combination of green vegetables with an Indian bread (sarson da saag and missi roti). Count only the dollops of cream and butter and not the calories if you are going to try Punjabi food.

Here’s something simple for the veggies to relish!

Aloo Amritsari Recipe

Ingredients:

250gms Aloo (Potato)
2 Onions, sliced
2 tsp Ginger-garlic paste
1/2 tsp Ajwain
Salt to taste
1/2 cup Besan
1 tsp Corainder Powder
1 tsp Red Chilli powder
1/2 tsp Garam Masala
1/2 tsp Annardana Powder
Oil For frying
Handful Corainder Leaves

Method:

This is a fairly easy one. It should take you less than 30 minutes to create this great Indian Punjabi dish.

Cut the potatoes into long pieces which will be easy to cook. Ensure that they are not too fat. Next, make a thin batter of besan, salt, ginger-garlic paste and ajwain seeds adding little water. Add 1 tsp of oil and mix well. Marinate the potato pieces for 15 minutes.

Heat the oil and deep fry the potatoes and then keep them aside. Then heat 2 tsp of oil, add onions and sauté them till brown. Add salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, annardana powder, Garam masala and mix well. Add the potatoes and toss well. Simmer the flame and cook for another 5- 6 minutes. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve Punjabi Aloo Amritsari hot with any Indian bread.

Homestays offer fantastic home cooked cuisine for guests and hosts are happy to share recipes and even show you some of the cooking techniques. Browse our Punjab Homestay Collection to find homestays where you are guaranteed great food!

Things to do in Chandigarh

Mahindra Homestays — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:05:50 +0000

Chandigrah is India’s best-planned city and it boasts of a high standard of living. But there are many aspects of it that make it a peaceful place with a lot of natural beauty as well as man-made wonders to enjoy. Here are some of the main attractions and things to do in Chandigarh.

THINGS TO DO IN CHANDIGARH

Rock Garden

Chandigarh’s most recognisable symbol is the Rock Garden, which began as a humble collection in 1958. It was created by Nek Chand, who collected odd-looking stones and brouth them here on his bicycle. Gradually the collection grew and the park was developed into a grand attraction with a theme and meaning. During the festival of Teej, the Rock Garden is drenched with the festive spirit and many activities for young women are organised.

Sukhna Lake

The lake is one of the centerpoints of Chandigarh. It’s located near the Rock Garden and is popular amongst people of all ages. There are many activities to enjoy here such as boating, strolling peacefully, enjoying street food, photographing the Lake’s resident ducks.

Zakir Hussain Rose Garden

This is Asia’s largest rose garden. Over 1600 different species of roses can be seen in its 30-acre area. The annual Rose Festival is the ideal time to see all the Park in all its blinding glory. The festival is held in February/March and the flower show is accompanied by many fun competitions, cultural programmes and events.

Golfing

Chandigarh is a popular destination for aspiring golfers as well as retired veterans as there are several lavish golf courses in and around the city. The Chandigarh Golf Club is the second most popular club of its kind in India.

LOCATION

Chandigarh is the capital of both Haryana and Punjab, and is located in north India. Chandigarh has its own airports, which connects it to the rest of the country. An extensive network of trains also serves Chandigarh. Express trains from Delhi reach Chandigarh take three hours

WHERE TO STAY
Majithia Farm is a beautiful farmhouse with a swimming pool located outside of the city in a peaceful location where guests can enjoy nature walks alongside the canal.

Deep Roots Retreat is situated enroute from Chandigarh to Shimla. Accommodation for guests includes four spacious rooms with large windows giving a scenic view or the farmland around.

Read more about visiting Chandigrah

Punjab travel guide: A state of history and heritage

Things to do in Hoshiarpur

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:31:25 +0000

Hoshiarpur might not be the first place to come to mind when thinking about travel in India, but it is certainly one of the hidden gems of the state of Punjab.

With history dating back to 1809, the ‘city of mangoes’ is situated in the North East part of the state. Hoshiarpur is known to hoard ample Sikh history with notable Gurus and eminent people hailing from here. For Sikhs, some places are of historical relevance, but for most visitors, the luscious mangoes are the prime reason to visit. The summer months may be a little harsh for first time travellers to the North of India, but the warm hospitality and unassuming nature of the people here make this a lot easier. It’s important to note that the destination does not get too many foreign visitors, so it’s possible that they might be looked upon with singular fascination.

Here are some of the things to do in Hoshiarpur:

Meditate
Hoshiarpur is known for housing one of the famous ‘Vipassana’ centres in India. Many people travel here to attend the ten or more days’ courses of meditation and way of living run by the Goenka Foundation. The lodging and boarding is very basic here. The idea is to abstain from any communication from the outside world and submerge in meditation. Come here for a cathartic holiday to Hoshiarpur!

Mango Mania
The summers are the most difficult yet the most sumptuous time to visit Hoshiarpur. It is after all called the ‘city of mangoes’. Make a trip to one of the farm houses and enjoy the mango season thoroughly. Go with the locals to pick the fruit and see the process of selling or making some delicious products of the produce. Get your hands dirty to enjoy the reward after sweating out in the farms. The natural way of consuming the King of fruits is going to have you reaching out for water or wipes to clean the juices of your face! Visit the local market to see the bustling crowds busy themselves in the season.

Punjabi Food
The Punjabi food is known to be sinfully heavy but equally delicious. Go on a gastronomic journey trying all the local food – fried breads (parathas), enormous glasses of Lassi (a yogurt based drink) and sweets. Try the Maharaja Restaurant for some good vegetarian and non vegetarian food.

Visit Local Sights
Sight-seeing options are limited in Hoshiarpur. There is a fort by the name of ‘Kila Baroon’ and is situated at the Bajwara village. The fort was built by the King, Sher Shah Suri and was called Beju Babra Village when legendary king Akbar came to power. The main charm is exploring this small town and it’s friendly people.

Visit the city of Hoshiarpur for a taste of a small Indian town and some heart warming indulgence in food!

If you are planning a visit then take a look at our Hoshiarpur trip guide or Hoshiarpur homestay collection.

“Exceptionally comfortable” a delighted homestay guest reviews

Destination of the Month: Experience Baisakhi in Punjab

Mahindra Homestays — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 05:41:54 +0000

Punjab is one of India’s most vibrant and unapologetically loud and proud states. In the month of April, the vibrant festival Baisakhi is celebrated here. At this time, the state is drenched in colour, music and revelry. Here is all you need to know about Baisakhi in Punjab.

WHAT IS IT?
Baisakhi is one of the most important festivals in Punjab. It is celebrated with great fervour amongst sikhs, especially in Punjab. It is not only a religious festival but also celebrates the harvest and the start of the Hindu New Year.

RELIGIOUS IMPORTANCE
In 1689, Guru Gobind Singh formed the Sikhs into the ‘Khalsas’, eliminating the belief in high and low classes. This day is now celebrated as Baisakhi.

CELEBRATIONS
The bhangra dance is performed by men in vibrant attire. The music is supplied by drum beats. Through the music and dance the story of a farmer’s life from sowing the seed to harvest is told. Many families visit the beautiful Golden Temple in Amritsar on this day to offer prayers and gratitude.

WHEN IS IT?
The exact date of Baisakhi in Punjab changes from year to year. this year it falls on April 14.

WHERE TO STAY FOR BAISAKHI IN PUNJAB?
Land is abundant in Punjab and it is even known as the land of prosperity. So, visitors can find many lavish homestays here such as Majitihia Farmhouse, Mann Farmhouse, Citrus County, Deep Roots Retreat, Jyanni Farmhouse.

Do you want to experience Baisakhi in Punjab? Get in touch with our reservations team who will be able to help you plan your trip.

Mahindra Homestays partner with Punjab Heritage Tourism

Mahindra Homestays — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 06:52:35 +0000

Mahindra Homestays has been in the news recently as a result of a recently announced partnership with Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board to promote and market Farm Tourism across the state.

The Punjab Tourism has currently registered 23 farmstays which offer an exciting alternative to hotels, mirroring an authentic experience of true Punjabi Hospitality while creating alternate sources of income for the farm house owners.

Mrs. Geetika Kalha, Principal Secretary, Tourism, commented, “Punjab is one of the attractive tourist destinations in India, and the state popularity is owing to its incredible tourism possessions. The state is well known for its warm hospitality and active farming community.”

“Besides inbound tourism, we also aspire to target the urban communities in India to experience the real Punjab. We are happy to associate with Mahindra Homestays who have the expertise in the field and we are confident that our partnership will be beneficial in endorsing the state as an ideal vacation spot and promote farmstays.”

Mahindra Homestays will assist the tourism board in marketing the farmstays and will impart professional training to the identified farmhouse owners on aspects such as hospitality, safety and hygiene.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ramesh Ramanathan, Managing Director, Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Ltd said, “Rural India has a great potential and there is immense opportunity to be tapped. Rich in traditions of arts, crafts, culture and heritage, Rural India offers unparallel experience to tourists seeking to discover real India. We are delighted to partner with PHTPB for promoting farmstays in Punjab.”

Find out more about Punjab homestays

Punjab travel guide: A state of history and heritage

Mahindra Homestays — Fri, 21 May 2010 11:22:04 +0000

Punjab is one of the most lively parts of India and has a population that truly believes in living the good life. From music to food and from clothes to cars, everything about the state is loud, proud and rich. There are plenty of interesting facts and things for visitors to do. We pick out some of the highlights in our Punjab travel guide discovering off-beat things to do, farming, cooking, colours, festivals, and great pujabi people

Punjab travel guide: Things to do and see

1. Join the celebrations: Punjabis love to share their joy and celebrate every important moment of life. No wonder, they celebrate festivals with great zest and revelry. One of their most important festivals is Baisakhi. This marks the Punjabi New Year and is celebrated with lots of music, dancing and feasts. It falls on the 13th of April, every year. Another important regional festival is Basant Panchami, which is celebrated in February or March to welcome spring. Kite flying is an integral part of the festival and people are dressed in bright yellow, which signifies joy and a golden harvest.

2. Eat to your heart’s content: Punjab is filled with fertile fields and people here love to eat. Feasts are a big a part of every celebration and the state’s most famous dish is “makke ki roti and sarso ka saag” which is topped off with a giant glass of lassi. In big cities like Chandigarh and Amritsar you can find many international food chains but nothing beats the local cuisine of Punjab. If you are staying with a homestay take a cookery lesson to learn first hand how to make some of the local delicacies.

3. Visit the Golden Temple: The Golden Temple in Amritsar is one of the most famous gurudwaras in the world. The temple is visited by millions of people and people from all backgrounds volunteer to serve guests of the temple as well as the needy. It is one of the most beautiful gurudwaras in India and no trip to Punjab is complete without visiting it.

4. Jallianwalla bagh: Jallianwalla bagh was where the massacre of 13th April 1919 took place. On that day 1000s of peaceful protestors, including women and children, were gunned down by the British army. Remnants of the horrific day are preserved at the protected site.

5. Wagah Border: This border separates India from Pakistan and is for the Beating of the Retreat ceremony. The ceremony is a wildly exaggerated show of strength from both sides. The ceremony starts at sunset and the audience participates enthusiastically with music and dance. The Wagah border is located 29 kms from Amritsar and tours combining a trip here with a visit to the Golden Temple can easily be arranged.

6. Sheesh Mahal: Located in Hoshiarpur is the Sheesh Mahal or Glass Palace. This palace was built in 1911 and is home to many valuable pieces of art and history. Some of them are depictions of King George V’s coronation ceremony, statues of various deities, and even life-size statues of King George V, Queen Victoria and their courtiers.

7. Fatehgarh Sahib: This is a sacred town located about 50 kms from Patiala. There is a famous gurudwara here which honours the victory of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur over Sirhind. The town has four memorial gates that stand as tributes to four important people from the Sikh history associated with Sirhind. Other than historical and religious value, the town’s natural beauty attracts visitors from all over.

8. Chandigarh: Chandigarh serves as a capital to both Haryana and Punjab. It is a city with a big heart and is constantly buzzing with activity and music. The most popular places to see here are the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake. Rock Garden is a 40 acre park which was founded in 1957. It’s famous for sculptures made of recycled material like broken glass, bangles, ceramics and plastic bottles. The garden is located near the Sukhna Lake, which is a manmade Lake. It is a popular place for locals to enjoy a morning or evening walk.

9. Farming: Punjab is an agriculturally oriented state. This is particularly true of Punjab’s hinterland where most families own acres of fertile fields and farmhouses. You can stay in a farmhouse-style homestays and participate in daily chores like farming, milking cows and churning the butter and more.

Punjab travel guide: Interesting facts

Sukhna Lake was such a beloved part of the city that Pierre Jeanneret, who was one of Chandigarh’s planners asked for ashes to be immersed in the lake.
Chandigarh was india’s first planned city.
On the festival of Hola Muhalla in 2009, the Sikh community created a world record by achieving highest number blood donations made in a single day.
Recent archaeological excavations revealed that punjab’s history can be traced as far back as the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Further information

Find out more about Punjab or browse homestays in Chandiargh, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ferozepur or Hoshiarpur

Discover India farmstay holidays

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:57:29 +0000

Combining luxurious facilities with rustic activities like bullock cart rides, trips to the fields and milking cows an Indian farmstay holiday provides an unforgettable holiday experience.

Citrus County homestay is located in a picturesque village in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. This ancestral property offers four lovely guest rooms and six luxury tents with five star amenities. French windows in each room let nature inside while the homestay’s serene lawns enhance the experience of being in the midst of nature. The homestay’s lounge, Orange Twist and their Citrus Café are great places to unwind after a swim in their pool, exciting jungle safaris, village tours, shopping or fruit picking. In the evening families can bond over indoor games like table tennis, chess or carom, or enjoy cultural entertainment organized on request.

A five hour drive from Delhi will lead you to one of the most enchanting farmstays in India, The Homestead. The home is ideally located for a weekend getaway from the capital as it near Jim Corbett National Park but far enough to avoid the ill-effects of the region’s rampant commercialization. The homestay is set in a 150 acre property where golden harvests, rich sugarcane, juicy litchis and countless other fruits and plants flourish. Other than peace and natural beauty, the homestay offers many unparalleled luxuries like a private gym and a newly built spa, which is complete with a reflexology infinity pool, a Jacuzzi and a Turkish hamaam. A relaxing massage room will soon serve as the perfect accompaniment to the homestay’s spa experience. The homestay also has a lovely tree house for children to keep themselves occupied and a sandpit to build castes in.

Camp Corbett was the very first resort to realize the potential of Jim Corbett National Park and help visitors discover its wonders. The pioneering homestay is spread in over 4 acres of lush vegetation and boasts of eight exquisite cottages. The large common area with a crackling fireplace allows the wilderness to interact with the visitors. To preserve the region’s fragile ecosystem, the walls are made of mud. Cow-dung is used as an eco-friendly mosquito repellant and natural insulation. Fresh and organic cereal, fruits and vegetables are served to guests.

A trip to the mystical Bore River, which has been declared as a heritage site by the government is a must. Mountain biking, horse riding, treks and safaris can be organized to indulge your adventurous side while age-old indoor games like carom, playing cards, bingo etc. can be enjoyed by all. For a more sporty experience a few rounds of badminton, basketball or volleyball should do the trick. Extended stays at the homestay are popular with avid naturalists, birdwatchers, Tiger and Elephant trackers, who deeply appreciate the wealth of knowledge possessed by the owners.

“Exceptionally comfortable” a delighted homestay guest reviews

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:21:59 +0000

We always encourage homestay guests to give us honest feedback after their stay to feature in the reviews area of our site so we are always pleased to see glowing reviews from happy visitors.

Roger Goodacre recently stayed at our Citrus Country homestay in Hoshiarpur where he was delighted to find warm hospitality and free flowing conversation.

If you were expecting to tip toe through mud, hens and pigs to reach the front door, Citrus County comes as a surprise, a very pleasant one. More of a gentleman farmer’s luxury home, it’s run by the effusive and genial Harkirat and his charming wife Jasween, who are natural hosts. The house sits in the middle of a small farming village on the outskirts of Hosiarpur, and is surrounded by fruit orchards. It’s handily placed on the road from Chandigarh to Amritsar or Manali and Dharamsala.

Harkirat and Jasween, with their young son, are natural English-speaking hosts and make you feel part of their extended family – Harkirat’s brother and father, established author and renowned chef respectively, were frequently around to add to the conviviality. During my visit, there was a small party from Australia on a northern India tour, who were delighting in the opportunity to relax in this cosmopolitan environment.

The accommodation at Citrus County Homestay

The accommodation is exceptionally comfortable (4* hotel quality), everything is impeccably clean, the food was simple, tasty and plentiful (cookery demonstrations are available on request), and liberal quantities of wine, whisky and beer flowed till late.

The pool, gardens and bar are all tempting but Harkirat enjoys showing you round the village and farm – a visit to see how fruit is turned into pickles is fascinating. In the evening, a local dance troupe gave a memorable performance.

So all in all, not just a halt on the road to somewhere but a place worth visiting for a weekend or using as a base.

Thank you for your feedback Roger, we are glad that you enjoyed your stay.

Feel inspired? Why not plan a stay at Citrus County yourself as part of your own Indian itinerary?