Punjab boosts tourism with grand festivals and heritage revival

Punjab is set to make 2025 a landmark year for tourism, with its fairs and festivals being celebrated on an even grander scale.

The state is drawing visitors from across the globe, offering a vibrant mix of cultural heritage, adventure, and rural experiences. The year began with lively events such as the Basant Mela in Ferozepur, the iconic Rural Olympics in Kila Raipur, and the Patiala Heritage Festival.

These festivities not only showcase Punjab’s deep-rooted traditions but also reinforce its status as a premier travel destination.

Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond emphasized that, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab is reclaiming its reputation as a top travel destination.

He stated, "The government's focus on heritage restoration and tourism development has introduced transformative initiatives that showcase Punjab’s deep-rooted history, vibrant culture, and spiritual legacy."

As part of its commitment to preserving Sikh heritage, the state government has launched the restoration of Jahaz Haveli, the historic residence of Dewan Todar Mall in Fatehgarh Sahib.

Sond noted that "Diwan Todar Mall, who purchased the land for the cremation of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s younger Sahibzadas—Baba Zorawar Singh, Baba Fateh Singh—and Mata Gujri Ji after their martyrdom, will have his haveli restored in its original form by the Diwan Todar Mall Virasti Foundation, Punjab."

Punjab is also emerging as a hub for farm tourism, transforming the tourism landscape. Sond highlighted that "The Punjab government is working on a large scale to promote farm, rural, and agro-tourism. Recently, the village of Hansali in Fatehgarh Sahib district was named the Best Village of India in September 2024."

Farm tourism is not only boosting the local economy but also increasing farmers’ incomes and creating new opportunities in the tourism sector.

Recognizing Punjab’s diverse tourism potential, the government has taken steps to promote adventure tourism as well. On February 27, in Rupnagar district, the Punjab government introduced boating and water adventure activities at Sri Chamkaur Sahib, opposite Dastan-e-Shahadat.

The state's tourism initiatives were also showcased during the Punjab Day celebrations at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2024, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Sond stated, "The event highlighted the Punjab government’s ongoing efforts to develop the state into a vibrant ‘Rangla Punjab.’"

At the trade fair, Punjab’s pavilion displayed the state’s rich culture, industrial growth, agricultural advancements, handicrafts, and traditional cuisine through stalls from various departments, including Punjab Tourism, Markfed, Verka, and Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

The event also served as a platform to invite investment in Punjab’s hotel and hospitality industry, with a focus on farm tourism, adventure tourism, rural tourism, and cultural tourism.

In a major step to promote tourism and destination weddings, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann recently inaugurated ‘Ran Baas,’ a beautifully restored heritage hotel within Patiala’s historic Qila Mubarak, further enhancing the state’s appeal as a cultural and heritage tourism hotspot.