Punjab,Golden Temple,Guru Nanak,Chandigarh,Wagah Border,Sikh India Culture !
Fairs of India!... Punjab (Hindi: पंजाब) is a state in northwest India. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir to the northeast, Chandigarh to the east and Haryana to the south, with the Pakistani province to the west. The rustic charm of this Sikh community comes from its main industry of Agriculture. This culture of India, is alive with India music of Bhangra beats and Hola Mohalla Games ! Other major cities include Amritsar, Bathinda, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Patiala and Chandigarh as the urban hub. The main festivals of this state, throb with modern rap music which echo the robust spirit of the state. Teej, Baisakhi all celebrate the bounty of a good earth. The Golden Temple in Amritsar, is always a revered shrine by the Sikh disciples of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Govind Singh. 'Lohri' is celebrated as a winter solstice in late December/ January. Children sing folk lores of Dulla Bhatti and evenings are alight with song and dance around the bon-fire. Lohri is traditionally associated with the harvest of the rabi crops. People take peanuts, rewri, flour, butter and various food items to places of religious worship to thank God for a good harvest. |
Punjab, the Flavors of the Earth..
Punjab, brings to mind green harvest fields and the sound of 'Bhangra' beats and the vibrant drums of Punjab !
The hot summer drink of sweet churned yoghurt (Lassi) with ice is, straight from the rustic heart of Punjab. 'Makki' (Corn) rotis with 'Sarson da Saag' (Mustard Leaves), has its origin from the caring hands of the women in rural Punjab.
Any railway station will picture on the Vendor's menu list..hot deep fried 'Bathure'(Bread) with 'Chole'(Chick peas)..and who can forget the smoked flavor of 'tandoori' chicken, roasted in earthenware tandoori oven, epitomizing the earthy culture of Punjab, in all its mouth watering essence of India !
07/08th May, 2011..
We took a day out with an overseas friend, to a remote hamlet on the rustic borders of Punjab. The woods were alive with the sound of the forest..a secret gurgling stream somewhere, an ancient mantra on the mud walls of an old shrine..scripting 'history' even in its decline. The unused shambles of an old well, telling of shared laughter of days gone by..
..There was the call of the Indian Koel, the rustle of the spring leaves and the rejuvenation of 'youth' was alive, to the touch of our hands on a 'golden harvest'..
..but, such is the curiosity of the 'human mind', which in its quest to unravel the 'mystery of life', can often be blind to all what is beautiful around us. We had sighted an unusual pair of mating butterflies which, as soon as they had been seen,..disappeared somewhere in the woods. Their undiscovered 'hideout', left us fatigued and looking for the nearest shelter from the burning sun..
..The elusive loving couple had to be left alone in their 'bliss', to kiss the sky and enjoy the 'nectar of life' !
Like them 'destiny' too, can sometimes, question us and 'success' can be as elusive as the 'dance of the butterflies'..its mystery too, can best be enjoyed and loved..when left alone !!
**Come and join us for a 'Rural Heritage Tour' in India..!