JALANDHAR
A town of great antiquity is situated at a distance of about 84 kms. from Amritsar on the G.T road going to Calcutta. Jalandhar is known for its sportsmen as well as its sports industry, its steel and iron re-rolling mills, rubber goods, electric goods, automobile parts, and sewing machine factories and handloom products.
Jalandhar, formerly Jullundhar is an ancient city in punjab located 80 km away from Amritsar. Ruled by the Hindus and the Mughals in succession it is believed to be the oldest city in Punjab. Jalandhar today is a highly industrialized centre being India’s foremost producer of world class sports equipments. The city also has the distinction of producing some of the best sportsmen in the country. Its satellite towns; Phagwara is famous for cloth manufacturing and drapery shops and Kartarpur is one of the biggest exporters of quality furniture
Imam Nasir Mausoleum and Jamma Masjid The 800 year old beautifully designed mausoleum of Imam Nasir is located in the heart of Jalandhar. The Jama Masjid nearby is said to be 400 years old.
Devi Talab Mandir Devi Talab Mandir is located about one km from the railway station. The old Devi Talab has been renovated and in its centre, a new temple has been built. Recently a model of Amarnath Yatra has been built in the premises. An old temple of goddess Kali also stands by the side of the Devi Talab. The gilded Mandir is famous for the ‘Hariballabh Sangeet Sammelan’ held every year in December at its precincts for the past 125 years. Famous classical music exponents – both instrumental and vocal come together and perform at this gathering. In Devi Talab, there is a large masonry 200 year old tank sacred to Hindus.
Shiv Mandhir The temple situated at Gur Mandi near Imam Nasir mausoleum dates back to the Lodhi Era. Believed to be built by the Nawab of Sultanpur Lodhi, the mandir is a blend of Muslim Hindu architecture. The main gate is built in the style of a mosque while the rest of the building is in Hindu style. There is a legend that when Jalandhar was Nawabs territory, he had eyed a newly married Hindu girl who was a devotee of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva in the form of a serpent saved her honour. Awed by the appearance of this serpent the Nawab apologised to the girl and built the temple on her bidding.
Sodal Mandir Thousands of devotees throng this temple during ‘Anand Chaturdashi’ in September. The child Deity here is believed to grant wishes of devotees.
Gurdwara Chhevin Padshahi The sixth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Hargobind visited Jalandhar during his tour of Doaba area and he was interviewed by a holy Muslim saint, Shaikh Darvesh. Gurdwara Chhevin Padshahi in Basti Shaikh, is situated at the same spot where the talk was held. The great Guru had in depth discussion with Shaikh Darvesh about spiritual matters which created good impact on the holy man. A handwritten copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib prepared sometime between 1715 and 1728 by the great Sikh scholar and martyr Baba Deep Singh is kept here.
St Mary’s Cathedral Church with its rare cosmo-culture design is a tribute to the Punjabi tradition. This Cathedral at Jalandhar Cantonment, initiated by representatives of His Holiness Pope John Paul II is the only one of its kind in the East. The old church dedicated to St. Patrick was built in 1947 and the foundation stone for the new church was laid in 1986.
Tulsi Mandir earlier known as Temple of Vrinda, is an ancient monument in the city located in the Kot Kishan Chand locality. It was built in honor of Vrinda, wife of the demon Jalandhara. The tank on the side of the temple is said to have been the bathing place of Jalandhara.
Desh-Bhagat Memorial Hall has been constructed to perpetuate the memory of martyrs who has lost their lives in the fight for freedom from the British rule.
Harballabh Fair: The most notable event in Jalandhar is the annual national Harballabh Fair which is held every year from 26th to 29th of December. Prominent exponents of classical music, both vocal and instrumental, from all over the country gathers to provide a rare feast of music for the connoisseur. The Sangeet Sammelan is held in the premises of Devi Talab one and a half kms. from the Railway Station. Even Mahatma Gandhi was attracted to the festival in 1929. Jalandhar has been in the thick of the fight for freedom from the British Raj and has produced many patriots. A Desh-Bhagat Memorial Hall has been constructed here to perpetuate the memory of such martyrs.
The Fair of Baba Sodal is held to memorialize the death anniversary of Sodal, a local child deity. Every year in the month of Bhadon i.e in mid-September, a fair is held at the Smadh of Baba Sodal. In side the smadh, there is a painted portrait of Baba Sodal kept decorated with garlands and rosaries. The offering here are distributed among the pilgrims and they sprinkle a few drops on their body.
Wonderland Theme Park is an amusement water park with water games and water rides. The Park spreads over 11 acres with many thrilling rides offering healthy entertainment to all age groups. The park is located about 6 kms from Jalandhar Bus terminus and 8 kms from the Railway Station on Nakodar Road. The water rides includes bumper cars, flying jets, horror house, boating, kiddies’ boating, play house, flying dragon and a slide splash. The wave pool is another attraction of the water park. There is an aqua dance floor, where boys and girls enjoy dancing on the tunes of the latest Punjabi hit numbers underneath a canopy that has artificial clouds from where the water comes down like a rainfall. Entrance time is between 9.00am to 10.00pm in dry park and 12.00pm to 8.00pm in water park. Dry Park is open throughout the year. Waterpark is closed in winters as it is not inconvenient to play around in water.
Nurmahal: Nurmahal is a small town 13 kms. from Nakodar. Nurjehan, the famous queen of Jehangir, constructed a Mughal Serai and known as Serai Nurmahal, here, is worth seeing.
Khatkar Kalan: The 50th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed-e-Azam S. Bhagat Singh was observed by setting up a commemorative ‘Memorial Museum’ on March 23, 1981. This museum is situated at Khatkar Kalan, on Nawanshahar-Banga road in Jalandhar district, which is 100 kms. from Chandigarh, 30 kms from Phagwara and 55kms. from Jalandhar.
Kartarpur: About 16 kms. from Jalandhar towards Amritsar, Kartarpur, is known for its grand furniture industry. The 5th Guru Arjun Dev Ji in 1656 AD founded it. The Gurudwara here is worth seeing where every year on the birth anniversary of Guru Arjan DevJi a great fair is held.
Kartarpur is also known as the birthplace of Swami Virjanand who was the teacher of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the illustrious founder of the Arya Samaj. A memorial (Guru Virjanand Smarak) has been constructed here in his memory.
Nakodar: Nakodar is known for 2 beautiful 17th Century Tombs. One of these protected monuments, known as the tomb of ‘Ustad’, the teacher, is of Mohd. Momin Hussain, a musician in the service of Khan-e-Khana during Jahangir’s early reign. The second of Hazi Jamal, his pupil, the shagird.
Pushpa Gujral Science City is the largest and the second Science City in India. Located on Jalandhar-Kapurthala road in an area of 72 acres, it is named after the mother of former Prime Minister of India Shri I.K. Gujral. It is built with the aim of learning, fun & amusement out of Science for people of all ages & all walks of life. The biggest project of its kind in Northern India, Pushpa Gujral Science City is far more than being just a Museum or a Theme Park. It is a blend of fun, curiosity and education to ensure longer and repeated visits. An 18-foot-high eye-catching model of dinosaur, a GSLV missile and a globe made out of tiny 26 lakh colourful tiles present an awesome view from outside. A kids park equipped with swings, bouncers and other rides is for the kids to enjoy, while helping them to learn various principles pertaining to physics. A health gallery has also been set up in which various exhibits pertaining to biological concepts have been put on display. An artificial lake running throughout the science city has been created to give the visitors the pleasure of pedal boating while enjoying the beauty of various marvels of science
Kartarpur Gurudwara located 16km from Jalandhar is famous for its Gurudwara built by the Fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Devji in 1656 A.D. A fair is held every year on his birth anniversary. Large number of devotees attend the fair. There is a Smarak here for Swami Virjanad who was the teacher of Swami Dayanand Saraswathi; the founder of Arya Samaj. Kartarpur is also famous for its furniture industry.
Moorish Mosque The mosque is situated in Kapurthala about 21 km from Jalandhar. The mosque was built in 1930 by a French architect Manteaux, during the reign of Jagatjit Singh, the last Maharaja of Kapurthala. The design resembles that of the great Qutbiya Mosque, at Marakesh in Morocco. The inner dome of the mosque have designs by the artists of the Mayo School of Arts, Lahore.
Panch Mandir This architecturally beautiful temple is located 21 km from Jalandhar in Kapurthala town. The mandir, the most striking monument in the town was built by Fateh Singh Ahluwaliah, the founder of the Kapurthala State. The main dome in the center is surrounded by several smaller temples dedicated to different deities.
Handira Mausoleum is situated in Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district 36km from Jalandhar. This fine monument, on the banks of the river Kali Bein is built on an octagonal plan with four gates in cardinal directions. Its drumless squattish dome, broad pointed arches and open arched Jharokas (an ornamental sitting place jutting of the walls) add dignity to its austere design.
Gurudwara Ber Sahib is situated in Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district, 36km from Jalandhar. This is the place where the first prophet Guru Nanak got enlightenment and created ‘Sukhmani Sahib’ while taking bath in the river Kali Bein. It was from Sultanpur Lodhi that Guru Nanak embarked on his long preaching odysseys called ‘Udasis’ in the Sikh tradition.
Masoleums of Ustad and Shagird Two beautiful 17th century tombs are situated in Nakodar. One of them belongs to Ustad (teacher) Mohammed Momin Hussaini alias Hafizah, a musician in the service of ‘Khan-e-Khana’- the chamberlain of Emperor Jahangir. The other tomb belongs to Haji Jamal, his disciple. The mausoleums are similar in architecture to Emperor Humayun’s tomb in Delhi and stand out as buildings of great attraction.
Serai Nurmahal Nurmahal, a small town around 13 km from Nakodar is associated with Nurjahan, wife of Emperor Jahangir, known for her beauty and style of living. Mughal Serai alias Serai Nurmahal, said to be constructed for Nurjahan, is a remarkable specimen of oriental architecture. Its massive gate embellished with arches, filigree work and tiles of beautiful patterns, topped by 4 delicate minarets make it a place worth a visit.
Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Museum has been constructed to pay homage to the great revolutionary martyrs of the Punjab, who laid down their lives for the liberation of their motherland. The museum was inaugurated on the 50th martyrdom anniversary of the great Martyr Sardar Bhagat Singh. Situated about 55 kilometers from Jalandhar, at Khatkar Kalan, on Nawanshahar-Banga road, the museum displays the memorable belongings of the revolutionary martyrs of the Punjab. The half burnt ashes of Sardar Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev including the blood soaked sand and blood stained newspaper in which their ashes were wrapped are preserved and exhibited here.
Some Important Places of Interest
Monuments (Monuments in and around Jalandhar),
4th Century Jama Masjid, Sarais of Nakodar and Noor Mahal.
Fort/Palace
Fort of Phillaur
Museum and Art Gallery
Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagt Singh Museum at Khatkar Kalan, Dist. Jalandhar.
Miscellaneous
The Devi Talab a large masonry tank sacred to Hindus.
How To Reach
Jalandhar is connected with direct trains to Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Puri, Nagpur, Jammu Tawi and Deluxe Express to Mumbai, Shatabadi Express to Delhi, Utkal Express to Puri and Hawrah Mail to Calcutta.
There is a vast network of bus services of Punjab, Himachal, Delhi, Haryana, Pepsu, Chandigarh, U.P., J&k, Rajasthan State Roadways, apart from private operators. Important destinations include Delhi, Shimla, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Jaipur and Ganganagar.
Distance From
Chandigarh 160 Kms.
New Delhi 375 Kms.