Punjabi Culture

Punjabi culture is one of the oldest and richest cultures in world history, and also one of the most vibrant. The
Indian state of Punjab exhibits a unique cultural landscape, which thrives in both traditional values and utilitarian
aspects. There is artistry in every aspect of life in Punjab and an aura of embellishment dominates the place. The
opulent culture of this north-western state of India is apparent in its metal work, embroidery, wall paintings,
jewellery, mud wall paintings, architecture, folk songs and dances. The culture of the state is wide in scope,
encompassing a rich history and a pulsating social life. The century-old Punjab culture is renowned for its
tolerance, progressiveness and logical approach to life as well.

The culture of Punjab underwent significant phases of evolution that may be broadly divided into three
categories. Ancient Punjab had a rich baked-brick urban architecture. The people at that time were highly
fascinated with large number of artifacts, games, such as dice, which were later excavated by archaeologists.
During the Middle Age, there were number of foreign invasions in the state. Greek, Persian, Mongol and Afghan
invasions had considerable influence on the cultural landscape of the state. Besides, the birth and growth of
Sikhism during this period, giving a new dimension to the Punjabi culture. Today, Punjabi people are widely
distributed all over the world. As a result, the traditional culture has been strengthened and expanded to the
western world as well, especially US, UK and Canada.

Bhangra Dance
Bhangra is the most popular folk dance of Punjab. It represents the liveliness and dynamism of its people. The
dance mainly involves men, who perform to the fast beats of drum and music. Originally performed on the
Baisakhi festival, the harvest festival of Punjab, bhangra is done at every single festive occasion today.

Punjabi Dances
Punjab has a very rich tradition of dances, particularly the folk ones. The exuberance and vitality of its people are
vigorously displayed in their folk dances. These dances are full of expressions, gestures, vocal remarks,
subtleties of motion and unrestricted freedom.
Giddha
Giddha is a popular folk dance of Punjab, performed by the women of the region. It bears much similarity to the
bhangra dance, which is performed by the men in the state. The dancers enact verses called bolis, which is a
representation of folk poetry at its best. A wide range of subjects is enacted, ranging from the daily chores to the
political affairs.

History of Punjab
The word 'Punjab’ appeared for the first time in the Book "Tarikh-e-Sher Shah” (1580). It describes the
construction of a fort by 'Sher Khan of Punjab’. Reference to the word 'Punjab’ can be found in "Ain-e-Akbari”
Part 1 as well, which describes that the territory can be divided into provinces of Lahore and Multan.

People of Punjab
Punjab is inhabited by people of diverse socio-cultural dominations. The inhabitants of the state are called the
Punjabis. They are basically of Indo-Aryan ethnic origin and belong to South Asia. Numerous settlers like the
Indo-Aryans, Persians, Synthians, Greeks, Arabs, Afghans and the British have invaded and ruled the region,
giving it a unique culture.

Religions of Punjab
Punjab is the land where a number of religions exist in perfect harmony with each other. Sikhism and Hinduism
form the major religions of the state. The other religions, like Islam, Christianity, Jainism and Buddhism, also
flourish, though comparatively low in proportion.

Arts & Crafts of Punjab

Punjab has a rich tradition of arts and crafts. The
richness of the land is reflected in its handicraft. The
people of Punjab lay much importance on their artistry
and the minute details of their work. You get to see their
skill woven even into the footwear, daily dresses,
carpets and almost every other thing. The artistic
creations of Punjab are acclaimed all over the world.
The skilled and dexterous artisans of the state produce a
variety of handicrafts and even the rural women have a
major contribution in the production of these fascinating
art works. Mud work is a famous rural practice in Punjab,
prevalent from the ancient times. It is a trend in Punjab
to mud-plaster the walls of the house and then, create
motifs and designs on the mudded walls.

Metalwork is also very popular in Punjab. Utensils made of metals are used in households, as also for religious
purposes. Carpenters in the state make Peeras or Peerians, decorative boxes, pidhis and toys of wood, which
are very popular in the whole of North India. Thin straws of glass are used for basketry works, which is another
Punjabi craft that is immensely popular. Mats, rugs, carpets, curtains and hand fans are woven using these
straws. Embroidery is another extensively followed work of art, known in the state by various local names.
Phulkari, an intricate needle work, is extremely popular and is mainly taken up by village girls. There are many
other handicrafts specific to the place, with the most popular ones being described in this section.
Basketry in Punjab
Basketry is a longstanding handicraft followed in most parts of Punjab. Mostly, the womenfolk in villages are
oriented towards basketry as a means of employment. Initially, these baskets were predominantly used for
household purposes.

Durries of Punjab
Durries are the flat woven rugs that are functional as well as striking in nature. They are used either as carpets on
the floor or as bed sheets. What makes them distinct from the normal carpet and the bedcover is the intricate
blend of artistic designs.

Folk Toys of Punjab

Folk toys of Punjab are the products of the perfect amalgamation of artistry and social values. The earliest
handmade toys of Punjab can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization, from 2500 to 1700 BC. Among the
most prominent toys of Indus Valley Civilization is the exceptionally large number of small terracotta carts.

Juttis of Punjab
Punjabi juttis represent the traditional footwear of Punjab, which is known worldwide for its exquisite design and
intricate pattern. It can be described as a traditional Indian shoe, which some other states like Rajasthan and
Haryana also manufacture.

Mud Works of Punjab

Mud work is an ancient handicraft of Punjab, which is popular in the state till date. It marks the zenith of Punjabi
creativity, in turning out dull objects into masterpieces of art. Punjabis have a special art called Chowk-Poorna,
which involves the plastering of the house walls with mud and then decorating them with eye-catching designs.

Punjabi Paintings
In the grand collection of Punjabi arts and crafts, one name that deserves a mention is the mural paintings and
frescoes. These types of paintings are mainly done on permanent surfaces like walls, ceiling, gates etc. Punjabi
people, by nature are lively and juvenile.

Punjabi Paranda
Paranda is one of the traditional handicrafts of Punjab. It is a colorful hanging worn by the Punjabi women in their
hair. Most of the Punjabi women have long hair, which they plait and then tie a paranda at the end. Parandis are
available with a great variety in designs and colors. They are made out of a bunch of silk threads, intricately
woven with other skillful works.

Punjabi Phulkari
'Phulkari’, literally meaning the flower working, is designed to enhance the beauty of attire. It is an art form, in
which exquisite embroidery is done over shawls, dupattas and headscarves, in a simple and sparse design. In
some cases, the entire cloth is covered with dense designs, so that the ground cloth becomes invisible.

Punjab Weaving
Punjab has a rich tradition of weaving and embroidery, which is very popular all over the world. Embroidery is the
form of art wherein fabrics are decorated using needle and colorful thread or yarn. This has a tempting attraction
owing to the different fancy materials it uses, like pearls, small mirrors, beads, quills, sequins, etc.

Punjab Woodwork
Punjab is well known for its artistic woodwork. Punjabi carpenters are highly skilled in making strong, durable and
at the same time, visually attractive furniture. Their specialty lies in making a creative bed that has the back fitted
with mirrors and has beautifully carved, colorful legs called pawas.

Punjabi Cuisine
Punjabis are big-time food lovers, preferring a wide variety in their menu. They are full of life and their food too
reflects this liveliness. Punjabi food forms an important part of the North Indian cuisine, which appeals to the taste
of many. The people in this state generally go for spicy foods and use oil and ghee to a considerably higher
extent. There are no intricate marinades or exotic sauces, but an exuberant use of masalas, with a liberal
addition of oil or ghee.

The people of Punjab prefer wheat to rice; though they do have rice occasionally. In roti itself, you find such a
wide variety that you are left to wonder about Punjabi cuisine's versatility. Makke ki Roti (chapati made of corn)
and stuffed paranthas have wide popularity. Milk and milk products are also commonly used by the people here.
Curd and butter milk are important concomitants of a Punjabi meal. Lassi, made out of curd, is a popular drink of
Punjab, which satisfactorily quenches the thirst in summers.

One can easily notice a disparity within Punjab, as per the choice of food. For instance, the people in Amritsar go
for stuffed paranthas and milk products, whereas Malwa inhabitants prefer bajra khitchdi more. One thing that
runs common throughout the Punjab is the wide use of onion, garlic, ginger and tomatoes, as the common
masala for most food items. People also regularly use garam masalas like cardamom, cinnamon, mace and bay
leaf in their food preparation. Besides they usually garnish their food with finely-cut coriander leaves and
juliennes of ginger.

Popular Delicacies
The food items that form a part of the traditional food of Punjab are so eye-catchy that you can hardly resist your
temptation to taste them all. Some of the popular delicacies in the state have been listed below:

Vegetarian Dishes

 Sarson ka Saag (Mustard leaves curry)

  Dal Makhani/ Dal Handi (curry of pulses)
 Choley (generally eaten with Naan)
 Punj Ratani Dal (a mixtute of 5 lentils)
 Kadhai Paneer
 Shahi Paneer
 Sheer Korma

Non-vegetarian Dishes

 Tandoori Chicken
 Butter Chicken
 Bhuna Ghosht (dish made of lamb)
 Kebab
 Amritsari Fish
 Tandoori Fish
 Fish tikka
 Chicken Biriyani
 Lamb biriyani
 Keema Naans
 Reshmi Tikka
 Malai Tikka
 Pork Pickle

Bread & Flour Preparations

Punjabi cuisine is also famous for variety of bread and flour preparations. Some of them are as below:

 Naan
 Tandoori Roti
 Kulcha
 Lachha paratha
 Phulka or chapatti
 Aloo paratha
 Mooli paratha
 Poori
 Bhatoora

Desserts
Punjabi cuisine is incomplete without the flavor of its special desserts. One of the very delicious items in their menu
is called roh di kheer, which is prepared by cooking rice in sugarcane juice for a long time. Besides this, there are
more of Punjabi desserts, like:

 Rice Kheer
 Jalebi
 Malpua
 Rabri
 Sawaiyyan
 Gulab Jamun
  Zarda
 Firnee
 Gaajar Halwa
 Sooji Halwa

And the list of Punjabi foods continues. Thus, we see there is so much to taste in the cuisine of Punjab. Already
feeling the temptation to taste all of them. What are you waiting for? Fly to Punjab and enjoy its diverse and spicy
taste; but take care that your stomach doesn’t pay heavily for your temptation!

Punjab Festivals
Punjab is a classic example of the diversity and
versatility of Indian culture. This vibrant state has stayed
true to its dynamic character since ages. Soul-stirring
celebrations and uninhibited fun characterize any festive
celebration in Punjab. While the state has several of its
own regional festivals, it celebrates and participates in
the national festivals with equal vigor and excitement.
Punjabi festivals are a beautiful embodiment of the
robust and composite culture of India. The enthralling
festivals have a lively charm that keeps the celebrators
hooked to the Punjabi culture and way of life. Splendor
and joy exemplify the festivities of the state and makes
one fall in love with its inimitable cultural traits.

Just like other states of India, Punjab celebrates some diverse and unique festivals every year. Each of these
festivals has some or other religious legends associated with it. Punjabi people believe in celebrating any festive
occasion to the hilt. So, every festival is marked traditional songs, energetic dances, and delicious recipes. The
festive season of Punjab is just the ideal time to listen to the renowned artists of the Indian subcontinent
performing live. The traditional music and folklore make for the perfect ambiance and provides an opportunity to
the celebrators to drench themselves in the contagious spirit of this amazingly fascinating state. Let us explore
the major festivals of Punjab in detail.

Major Festivals of Punjab

Baisakhi Festival
Baisakhi marks the beginning of "New Year "in Punjab. It is celebrated to commemorate the ripening of winter
(rabi) harvest and in turn, honor the hard work of farmers. It is observed on 13th of April every year and marks
the time of festivities and gaiety among the inhabitants of Punjab. More

Lohri
Lohri is the winter harvest festival of Punjab, celebrated widely throughout the state. It is the festival of fertility and
is associated with the worship of the God of Fire (Lord Agni). According to the Hindu calendar, Lohri falls on 13th
January every year, at a time when the earth is closest to the sun. More

Holla Mohalla
Holla Mohalla derives its name from the Punjabi word "Mohalla”, meaning an organized procession in the form of
an army column, accompanied by war drums and standard -bearers. This festival is celebrated in a spectacular
manner in all parts of Punjab, especially in Muktsar and Anandpur Sahib. More

Gurupurab Festival
Punjab is a land of high devotion and theism. Sikh Gurus are highly revered across the state. It is in the honor
and respect of their gurus only that Punjabis observe Gurpurab every year. Gurupurabs seek to celebrate either
the birthday or the martyrdom of the Sikh Gurus. Though there are a number of guru purabs observed in Punjab.
More

Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is the festival in which a sister ties the silk thread, called 'rakhi’, on her brother's wrist. In return,
he promises to protect her from all the evils. The festival mark celebrates the love between a brother and sister
duo. Brothers also give sweets and other gifts to their sisters, on this day. Rakhi symbolizes eternal protection of
the sister by the brother.

Tikka (Bhaiya Dooj)

Tikka is celebrated in the month of Kartik (October-November), on the second day after Diwali. This festival also
marks the strong bond between a brother and sister. The sister puts a 'tikka’ (mark) of saffron and rice grains on
the forehead of her brother, to protect him from evil. There are songs and prayers for brother's long life. The
brother then gifts her with gifts or money, as a token of his affection.

Teeyan
Teeyan is the dance festival of women, celebrated in the month of Sawan. One sees the best gidda
performances in this festival. The festival continues from the 3rd Lunar day in the month to full moon and there is
gala function on the concluding day.

Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is the fast undertaken by the Punjabi women, in the month of October-November. The festival is
celebrated by women to pray for the long life of their husband. The Moon God is prayed to, on this day.

Dussehra
Dussehra is widely celebrated in all parts of Punjab, just like any other state of India. It marks the victory of Lord
Rama over Ravana, thereby symbolizing the eternal victory of Good over Evil.

Diwali
Diwali is celebrated all over Punjab in the month of October-November, the exact date being determined as per
the lunar calendar. It is celebrated to rejoice the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhaya, after fourteen years of exile.
On this day, every home in Punjab is lighted either with candles or with diyas.
 Holidays in Punjab

Punjab is a land where the season of festivity prevails over a long period of time. Consequently, there are a number
of public holidays in Punjab. And it is necessary to have an idea about these holidays before finalizing your trip to
the state. It will help you in enjoying your vacation to the fullest. While some of you would love to the visit Punjab
during the festive season, as it drapes the state in bright colors, those looking for a peaceful vacation might have
other opinion. Considering these facts, we bring you the list of important national as well public holidays in Punjab.
Make sure to recheck the holidays’ list, before finalizing your trip to the state.

National Holidays

 Republic Day - 26th January

 Independence Day - 15th August
 Gandhi Jayanti - 2nd October

Public Holidays

 Birthday of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji

 Basant Panchami / Birthday of Satguru Ram Singh Ji
 Maha Shivratri
 Holi
 Shahidi Divas of Bhagat Singh
 Ram Navami
 Mahavir Jayanti
 Good Friday
 Baisakhi
 Birthday of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar
 Parshuram Jayanti
 May Day
 Kabir Jayanti
 Martyrdom of Sri. Guru Arjun Dev Ji
  Martyrdom Day of Shaheed Udham Singh
 Janma Ashtami
 Birthday of Baba Sri Chand Ji
 Agarsian Jayanti
 Id-ul-Fitr
 Dussehra
 Birthday of Maharishi Valmiki Ji
 Diwali
 Vishwakarma Day
 Birhtday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
 Martyrdom Day of Sri.Guru Teg Bahadur Ji
 Id-ul-Zuha
 Christmas

Punjab Weather

Punjab is a state with a balanced amalgamation of heat in summer, rain in monsoon and cold in winter. The three
seasons are so distinctly distributed that you can enjoy each of them individually. Every season has its intrinsic
worth. Owing to its north-east location, Punjab experiences both summer and winter to its extreme. It even
receives abundant rainfall, which makes the state a very fertile land. Let us explore complete information on the
weather and climate of Punjab.

Summer
From February, the temperature starts rising in Punjab. However, the actual summer season starts from the
month of April and lasts till the month of June. Thus, the gap between February and the beginning of April is the
considered the post-winter transitional season. Around this time, the temperature sometimes goes as high as
45oC . in short, it is very hot during summers in Punjab.

Monsoon
In Punjab, monsoon begins in the month of July and culminates in September. During this time, the state gets
rainfall in the range of 250 mm to 1000 mm. The amount of rainfall varies in different areas of the state as well.
Punjab receives its monsoon current from the Bay of Bengal. The monsoon rainfall is highly productive in growing
the fertility of the land.

Winter
In Punjab, winter starts from the month of October. The weather becomes chilly and frosty only from December to
February. So, October and November are primarily post-monsoon seasons, wherein the state receives certain
amount of rainfall as well. In the month of December, the temperature lowers down to even 0 oC . The weather is
extreme cold in the state, during winters.

Languages in Punjab
Punjab is a broad panorama of beauty and splendor. Its language is an asset, which is gaining huge popularity
among people throughout the country. Punjabi is the official language of the state, which bears a lot of similarity
with Hindi. It is the eleventh most popular language in the world. Punjabi has its origin in the eleventh century and
is the successor of Sauraseni Prakrit. It is an ancient language that has an Indo-European origin. It is very widely
spoken by the people in Punjab. However, the people of West Punjab speak more Hindi than Punjabi, whereas
the case is reverse in East Punjab.

The script used in Punjabi language is Gurmukhi, which is based on Devanagri. It is both a fusion and a tonal
language. It is a fusion language because several morphemes (the smallest linguistic unit which has semantic
meaning) fuse together to form the language. It owes its tonal aspect to the fact that words here are distinguished
by the tones. Modern Punjabi borrows extensively from other languages, like Hindi, Persian, Urdu and English.
Recently Punjabi has traversed to different destinations across the world, where it gets molded as per the local
vocabulary.

Surprisingly, Punjabi language has several dialects, which have emerged area-wise, depending on the exact
region where the language is in use. Some of the important dialects are Bhattianj, Malwai, Pahari, Doabi, Kangri,
Hindko, Pothowari, Shahpuri, Rachnavi, Majhi, Thali, Thalochri, Chakwali, and Ghebi. Hindi is a very popular
language in the state, which almost every one can speak and understand fluently. Even English is a very familiar
language. So, you will have little difficulty in conversing with the Punjabis. Besides, they are very supportive and
helpful, so even if anything is unintelligible to them, they can still manage to understand and help you out.
 Shopping in Punjab
Punjab has a grand collection of handicrafts and
handloom products. It enjoys the repute of being one
of the largest manufacturers and exporters of
handloom products, handicrafts and hosiery goods in
India. It is a very well acknowledged fact that
shopping is a must during any trip and the state is no
exception to it. Punjab offers you innumerable things
to take back home. Its traditional items bear the
stamp of its rich culture. Almost all the tourist places
in Punjab, right from Amritsar to Ludhiana and
Chandigarh to Pathankot, offer the scope for
shopping.

Shopping Items in Punjab

Punjab is famous for its durries, jutties, woolen shawls, inlaid furniture, phulkari work, parandis, sport goods,
leather garments and the jewelry. Almost every where you go in the state, you will find an exquisite display of the
traditional items. Given below is a list of the items that you should carry back home, as the remembrance of
Punjab.

Durries
Punjabi durries are flat woven rugs, which are either used as bedcovers or as carpets. Generally for large
gatherings, whether political, religious or others, durries are spread on the floor, for sitting purposes. These
durries are very popular, owing to their stunning traditional designs, woven skillfully with all the minute details.
They are quite economical and at the same time, add enormously to the richness of a house's interiors. Though
they are widely available in all parts of Punjab, Amritsar and Chandigarh are the main centers for the production
of durries.

Jutties
Punjabi jutties is the name given to the typical footwear of Punjab. They are unusual in bearing a grand display of
patterns and designs. There is such beautiful embroidery displayed on the jutties that you can’t help being
impressed. Lots of hard work goes into making of these jutties, as they stand for the elegance and glory of
Punjab. A wide range of fancy materials, like beads, pearls, colored threads, small mirrors and seashells, are
used for making these jutties. Punjabi jutties are comfortable to wear and also render a royal look to the wearer.

Phulkaris
Phulkari is a form of craft in which artistic embroidery embellishes a shawl, saree, dupatta (head scarf) or the
entire dress. The phulkari that covers the entire dress, making the base material invisible, is called bagh (a
garden of flowers). Bagh is generally used for special occasions, like marriages and festivals. A special kind of
thread is used for phulkari, which is called pat. The designs used are varied, like animal, vegetable, sun, moon,
scenes of human life, natural beauty and the list continues. In fact, anything that one can think about, other than
religious connotations, are represented in phulkari. Some varieties of Phulkari and Bagh are Chope, Vari-da-
bagh, Ghunghat bagh, Bawan Bagh, Darshan Dwar, Suber, Champa, Surjamukhi, & Satrang.

Parandis
Parandis are the attractive hangings that are worn in the hair. They are widely used by the Punjabi women,
especially those living in the rural areas. They usually plait their long hair and decorate the same with parandi,
worn at the end of the plait. These parandis are woven out of attractive silk threads, clustered together artistically.
They are available in a variety of designs and patterns.

Shawls
Punjabi shawls are world famous, for their intricate designs, coziness and reasonable price. There are different
varieties of shawls available in Punjab, like angora, jamavar, embroidered pashmina, beaded pashmina,
cashmillon shawls, kulu shawls and jacquard shawls. Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar are the main centers
producing these shawls.

Inlaid Furniture
Punjab has an exclusive panorama of inlaid furniture. These are carved with exquisite geometrical, floral, animal
and trellis designs, in Mughal style of art. Here, you can get the most unique collection of chairs, round tables,
corner tables, beds, small stools locally called Peeras, walnut wood furniture and many others. Amritsar,
Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar and Bhera are the principal areas producing inlaid furniture.

Miscellaneous
Besides the above characteristic articles, you can shop for a number of other items in Punjab. Leather garments
are available in numerous patterns, which attract a lot of tourists. The dolls of Punjab, especially the bride doll
and the bhangra doll, are also extremely popular. Hand fans (Peshawari Pakkhe, Kundaladar Pakkhi), baskets
and folk toys are other attractions of the place.

What to Wear in Punjab

Punjab is the land of lively and dynamic people. This perhaps explains the uncomplicated acceptance of
modernization in their dressing style. Though they have very bright and colorful traditional dresses, which form
their main attire, they are no way hostile to modern dresses. So if you are planning to visit Punjab, you need not
break your head thinking about the dress to be worn. You can clad yourself in traditional Indian dresses or opt for
Western dresses. Women can wear salwar-kameez, which incidentally happens to the traditional dress of
Punjab, skirts, t-shirts, jeans, trousers, jackets, etc. Men can go for t-shirts, jeans, kurta pyjama and the likes. The
only thing to remember is to maintain decency in your get-up. Punjabis are highly religious people and strongly
avert anything that has signs of immorality.

On a trip, it is always fascinating to try the traditional dresses of the place. And when the place is a colorful state
like Punjab, you can’t hold your temptation for long. Punjab is a land of vitality and liveliness, which is finely
reflected in its traditional dresses as well. Salwar kameez is the traditional dress worn by the majority of Punjabi
women. It consists of three piece of clothes - salwar (pant or bottom piece), kameez (shirt or top piece) and
dupatta (a shawl worn around the neck). Salwar kameez is available in a variety of colors and designs. 'Phulkari’
and 'bagh’ are the traditional shawls embroidered with fanciful designs, which are extremely popular all over the
world. Punjabi men generally wear loose pants or slacks with a collared shirt or t-shirt. Kurta pyjama is also
widely worn by the people here.
t
Owing to its location, Punjab experiences the winter as well as the summer season in extreme. Summer starts
from the mid of February and lasts till the end of June, whereas winter spans from October to February. You
need to select clothes as per the climate at the time of travel. If you are traveling in summer, light cotton clothes
will be comforting. Also, loose dresses will be a better choice than the tight fitting ones. You will need sunscreen
lotions, caps and hats, as accessories, to make the trip soothing. In winter, carry woolen clothes to keep yourself
warm. Winter, though pleasing and enjoyable, is dry. So always carry moisturizing lotions and other cosmetic
products to retain the moisture in your skin.