Situated on the banks of river Sutlej, Ludhiana, Punjab’s largest city, is one of the biggest manufacturing hubs in India. Also known as Manchester of India, Ludhiana is famous for its hosiery industries, the ancient ruins of the Lodi dynasty and the war museum.
Named after the Lodi dynasty, the city has retained the old world charm, kept the spirituality intact but also hasn’t failed to keep up with the changing times and traditions of the country.
Apart from being an industrial town, Ludhiana draws pilgrims and tourists from worldwide owing to its Gurudwaras, forts and ancient ruins.
Lodi chiefs, Yusaf Khan and Nihang Khan, converted the village Mir Hota to Ludhiana. Ludhiana also hosts the famous Rural Olympics at Qila Raipur each year in the month of January-February.
Places to Visit
Lodhi Fort
Lodhi Fort is one of the forts in the vicinity of Ludhiana in Punjab. Locally known as Purana Qila or Old Fort, it is a grand structure which now lies in ruins due to poor maintenance. The fort stands on a large piece of land now encroached from all sides.
What was once the gateway to Sikander Lodhi’s empire and the pride of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, now lies forgotten and in ruins. Surprisingly, a large percent of the local population is not even aware of the whereabouts of this fort. Even though the fort looks like a pretty ordinary ancient structure without invoking much interest of people, it does have a grand past.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum
With more than twelve galleries catering to subjects like the Kargil War and Ancient History, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum contains an extensive memoir of India’s past.
Pavillion Mall
Pavilion mall was built and developed by Bharti Realty Ltd, at the center of fountain chowk in Ludhiana city of Punjab. The complex comprises an approximate 500,000 sq.ft. of leisure and shopping facilities, over 100 premium retail units that includes a 17,000 sq.ft food court. With a plethora of high selling international brands as well as the national products and a wholesale-retail mix of supermarket, department stores, seven-screen multiplex, food court, kids zone and restaurants, the mall is the pride of one of the most affluent cities in India – Ludhiana.
A 7 screen PVR Cinemas is another major entertainment at the mall along with other shopping facilities. An exciting feature of Pavilion is that it’s LEED pre Gold certified complex and is among India’s very few Gold rated retail facilities. Located in one of the most sought out places in Ludhiana, Pavilion mall is at close quarters to the nearby railway station and bus stand.
Rakh Bagh Park
With lush green landscape and a toy train, Rakh Bagh Park of Ludhiana is a favourite spot for children, joggers and walkers. The park is a leisure space for the locals and tourists with its well-maintained garden. Revamped from the British Era the toy train never ceases to grab the attention of the children as it rides around the park.
Both morning and evening walkers aren’t left behind either; a jogging track encloses the park. The park is surrounded by tracks for bicycle riders and it houses exercising machines on the children’s play area. There are food joints in and around the park’s premises so the visitors can munch on refreshments and also a swimming pool for learners. Although renovations, landscaping and beautifications are planned, Rakh Bagh, a habitual space among locals. Given the lush green gardens and the cool ambience, the park is mostly crowded in the afternoon and weekends.
Hardy’s World Amusement Park
Hardy’s world amusement park is the most sorted out places in Ludhiana, Punjab. This water-themed park gets your adrenaline pumped up with over 20 exhilarating rides like the roller coaster, sun & moon, pendulum and motorcycle. Situated 7 km away from Ludhiana, it is the most significant water-themed park in Punjab. It’s nestled over a large area of parkland on the Ludhiana – Jalandhar Highway. It’s a frolic place with mostly wave pools and water slides around the place.
The park is bifurcated into two- Dry and Waterpark among which, there are a plethora of themed activities for all age groups. A thrilling high ride on a wooden ship, jamming cars with no traffic rules, the caterpillar ride that gives you butterflies in your stomach, swinging chairs, the toy train for just frolicking around, superbikes that swish in the air, toggling on a bull, horseback merry go round are all the amusing hubbubs of the amusement park. The water park, on the other hand, is full-fledged with steep, splash and speed. The aqua pool with a kid’s planet, rain dance and wave pool with sprinklers and sprayers lets you splurge into the water world. Hardy’s world also houses many food stalls, souvenir shops and a wondrous place like the horror house. The amusement park is for all age groups even providing comfortable accommodation in 25 well-appointed rooms with necessary amenities.
Gurdwara Charankanwal Sahib Machhiwara
35 km from Machhiwara, a town in Ludhiana district of Punjab is Gurudwara Charan Kanwal. The road to Gurudwara is connected by the Ludhiana-Chandigarh Highway. The serene ambiance and the beautiful aesthetic architecture of the Gurudwara attract many tourists. It has an aura that gives every visitor spiritual peace. In December, an annual congregation fair is held that marks the days of Guruji’s stay (9th and 10th of Poh) the days Guruji stayed at Machhiwara.
The name of this shrine holds a history. It is believed that when Aurangzeb’s army attacked, Guru Gobind Singh resisted their onslaught and escaped into the woods of Machhiwara. Here, he rested and slept under a tree where he recited ‘Mitar Pyare nu’. The old Jand tree is still preserved outside the Gurudwara. Daya Singh, Man Singh, and Dharam Singh were his three companions who found him at the site. The place he stepped on marks the site of Gurudwara Charan Kanwal, the feet of Guru Gobind Singh compared to a lotus flower. Hence the shrine is a memory of the historical event.
Rural Olympics at Kila Raipur
Home to one of the quirkiest festivals you will come around anywhere in the world – Rural Olympics, Kila Raipur is an amazing village whose love for sports and recreation is unmatched anywhere else in the country. The small village is located just 15 km from the city of Ludhiana in Punjab and is like any other village of the state with huge fields of wheat and mustard that stretch as far as eyes can see, and a certain calmness and peace about it, except for the three days of February when the village transforms into a hub of sports, enthusiasm and celebration.
Kila Raipur is famous all over the world for its celebration of rural sports and lifestyle in its event dubbed as the Rural Olympics. Since its inception in 1933, the festival is a magnum opus of all sports festivals. The festival is a bizarre yet grand affair, where sports lovers from far and wide flock by to witness the thrill and action. The event which unfolds in three days sees all farming activities suspended and male members of the Punjabi households participating in numerous sports activities. Participants come from all parts of the state and the neighboring states too to flaunt their prowess and athleticism. Along with sports one can also see the celebration of Punjabi rural life with renditions of Punjabi folk music and dances.
Bhir
A 19th century mosque, Bheer is another popular pilgrimage centre of Ludhiana attracting a large number of devotees.
Nehru Rose Garden
Nehru Rose Garden is a beautifully landscaped garden in the heart of the city Ludhiana. Sprawling over an area 27 acres, this popular tourist attraction is home to over 17000 plants and 1600 varieties of roses. The vast lawns are perfect picnic spot with water fountains around it. Every night the fountains are illuminated with colorful lights and music. Although being one of the oldest and largest leisure spots in Ludhiana, established in the year 1967, it’s the most verdure spaces in the vicinity.
The rose garden is a paradise for morning walkers and joggers. It provides a space for jogging and walking track within the enclosure. Apart from the fountains and landscape, the garden holds a planetarium at its entrance, boat rides in the artificial pool and mini zoo. The leisure activities keep children and youngsters engaged by providing some time to relax for the adults. Hence, it makes itself an ideal spot for all age groups. The annual rose festival, one of the most significant cultural events held every year attracts thousands of visitors around India.
Phillaur Fort
Designed by Dewan Mokham Chand, general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the fort is an architectural wonder and never fails to attract visitors from far flung places.
Must Try Food in Ludhiana
1. Bistro 226
2. Barbecue Restaurant Pirates Of Grill
3. Bistro Flamme Bois
4. South Indian Restaurant Sagar Ratna
5. Colonels Cabin
6. Basant Food & Sweets
7. Friends Dhaba
8. Baba Chicken
9. Indian Summer
10. The Upper Housee
How To Get Here
Ludhiana is well connected to the major towns in the country. You can travel to Ludhiana by train, air or road. It has its own railway station and there are heaps of trains connecting it to all the major cities through Delhi. The best option is to take the Shatabdi Express running from Delhi in the morning and evening. You can also travel by the deluxe buses, running regularly from the ISBT in Delhi.
By Air
Flight Ludhiana also has an airport, however there are flights just from New Delhi. Other nearby international airports are located in Chandigarh (95km) and in Amritsar (141km).
Nearest Airport: Chandigarh Airport (IXC) – 93 kms from Ludhiana
By Road
Road Ludhiana is also well connected by roads and one can find buses and taxis to reach Ludhiana from nearby places.
By Train
Train Ludhiana has its own railway station and well connected with the rest of India.