Jalandhar, formerly known as Jullundur in British India, is a city in the Doaba region of the northwestern Indian state of Punjab. Jalandhar is the oldest inhabited major city in the Indian state of Punjab. In recent times the city has undergone rapid urbanisation and has developed into a highly industrialised centre of commerce.
Jalandhar has been shortlisted for the second phase of the "Smart City" initiative of the Indian Government.
Jalandhar is alongside the Grand Trunk Road and is a well-connected rail and road junction. Jalandhar is 144 km northwest of Chandigarh, the state capital of Punjab and Haryana.
History
The history of Jalandhar District comprises three periods — ancient, medieval and modern.
This old city is the house of another old temple known by the name of Devi Talab Mandir. It is exactly located in the
heart of Jalandhar and is entirely dedicated to Goddess Durga. The Devi Talab Mandir has now been renovated and a new
temple has been built in its center. Another interesting feature of this temple is that recently a model of Amarnath
Yatra has been built in the premises.
Geeta Temple is a center for spiritual enlightenment for the people in Jalandhar.It serves the Hindu community in
Jalandhar with weekly programs and Hindu festivals on regular basis. Geeta Mandir is not just a center of profound faith
for the city residents; it also fascinates the devotees with its natural environment. This temple. Which is widely
believed to grant and fulfill the wishes and aspirations of the devotees, has attained a notable place among the well
known temples of Jalandhar metropolis.
Guru Hargobind visited the city of Jalandhar during his tour of Doaba area. Gurdwara Chhevin Padshahi in Basti Shaikh,
Jalandhar city, stands on the spot where Guruji granted interview to a Muslim holy saint popularly known as Shaikh
Darvesh. The saint blindfolded his eyes so that he could swear before the Mughal authorities that he had not seen the
Guru. The great Guru had in depth discussion with the Shaikh Darvesh about spiritual matters which created good impact
on the holy man.
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 and amusement out of Science for people of all ages and all walks of life.
Parasrampur is a village in Jalandhar District, in Punjab. Parasrampur is famous for its Shaheedi Jor Mela which is held
annually in the memory of Shaheed Banda Singh Bahadur Ji. The Baba Lodhiana Youth Sports Club (Regd.) constructed a
sports stadium on 4 acres of land in Parasrampur. The stadium hosts the annual 3 day sports and cultural event in
November and hosts the Mata Chanan Kaur Dhanoa Punjab Sports Championship which form part of the Shaheedi Jor Mela.
St. Mary's Cathedral Church is one of the famous religious as well as tourist places in Jalandhar. The Old Church was
constructed by Rev. Fr. John Macodnnel in 1947, in the memory of St. Patrick. In 1955, the Catholic Mission of the Indian
Punjab was raised to the status of Apostolic Prefecture, with its headquarter at Jalandhar. The church in the city
subsequently became the Cathedral or the Mother Church of Punjab. The foundation stone for the new church was laid in
1986.
An ancient monument in the City is the temple of Vrinda, wife of Jalandhara, in the Kot Kishan Chand locality. It is now
also known as Tulsi Mandir. On one side of the temple is a tank which is said to have been the bathing place of the
demon Jalandhara.
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 city is named after Jalandhara, a demon king, who is mentioned in the Puranas and Mahabharta. According to another
legend, Jalandhar was the capital of the kingdom of Lava, son of Rama. According to another version Jalandhar is said to
have derived its name from the vernacular term `Jalandhar' means area inside the water, i.e., tract lying between the two
rivers Satluj and Beas. The whole of Punjab and the area of present Jalandhar District was part of the Indus Valley
Civilization. Harappa and Mohenjo-daro are the sites where remains of the Indus Valley Civilization have been found
extensively. The archaeological explorations made during recent years have pushed the ancient times of Jalandhar District
of Harappa period.
The modern history of Jalandhar District states that Khilafat Movement was started in the district in early 1920 to bring
pressure upon British rulers to change their policy towards Turkey. Mahatma Gandhi extended sympathy and support to this
movement. Jalandhar District was declared 'Proclaimed Area' under the Seditious Meetings Act. After the independence of
the country, however, the district was affected by communal riots and exodus of minority communities from both sides of
the border, consequent upon the partition of the country.
Climate
The city has a humid subtropical climate with cool winters and long, hot summers. Summers last from April to June and
winters from November to February. Temperatures in the summer vary from average highs of around 48 °C (118 °F) to average
lows of around 25 °C (77 °F). Winter temperatures have highs of 19 °C (66 °F) to lows of -7 °C (19 °F). The climate is
dry on the whole, except during the brief southwest monsoon season during July and August. The average annual rainfall is
about 70 cm.
Transport
By Air
The nearest airport is adampur airport northwest of Jalandhar which currently handles only sheduled operation on one
maiden flight of private carrier Spicejet to Delhi.The nearest full-fledge International Airport is Sri Guru Ram Dass
Jee International Airport in Amritsar.It is one of the busiest airports in North India,and is connected to other parts
of the country by regular flights. Several airlines operate flights from abroad, including Birmingham, Dubai, Singapore,
Kuala Lumpur and Doha. The airport handles as many as 48 flights every week up from the occasional, intermittent ones
some years ago.
By Rail
Direct train service is available for other major cities like Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Patna, Guwahati, Pune, Haridwar,
Varanasi, Jaipur and Jammu Tawi. Some prestigious trains that halt in Jalandhar City railway station are Howrah Mail,
Golden Temple Mail (Frontier Mail), New-Delhi Amritsar Shatabdi Express, Paschim Express. Now many trains of Jammu route
are extend up to Mata Vaishno Devi-Katra.
Jalandhar City Railway Station is well-connected to other parts of the country, Jalandhar City is a major stop between
the Amritsar-Delhi rail link which is serviced by Shatabdi Express, Intercity Express, and others.
Direct Service to major cities such as Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Patna, Guwahati, Pune, Haridwar, Varanasi, Jaipur and
Jammu Tawi are available. There are prestigious services such as the Howrah Mail, Golden Temple Mail (Frontier Mail),
New-Delhi Amritsar Shatabdi Express, Paschim Express.
By Road
There is a large network of bus services of Punjab, Himachal, Delhi, Haryana, Pepsu, Chandigarh, U.P., Jammu & Kashmir,
Uttrakhand, Rajasthan State Roadways, apart from private operators.
Tourists Places in Jalandhar
Devi Talab Mandir
Another importance of the place is for the old temple of Goddess Kali, which stands by the side of this temple. It is one
of the fifty-one `Shakti Peethas` and here the Goddess Kali is known by the name of Tripurmalini. It is believed that
Sati`s right breast fell here. Lord Shiva in this temple is known as Bhishan Bhairav.
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.
Geeta Mandir
Gurudwara Chhevin Padshahi
The gurdwara contains handwritten copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, by the martyr Baba Deep Singh, prepared somewhere
between 1715 and 1728.
Pushpa Gujral Science City
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.
Shaheedi Jor Mela,Parasrampur
The Mata Chanan Kaur Dhanoa Punjab Sports Championship includes Kabaddi, wrestling, athletics, volleyball, body building
chamionships, weightlifting, dog racing and bullock cart racing. Kabaddi Players receive the largest cash prizes ever
awarded at this tournament. After the sporting events have concluded, a programme of cultural entertainment continues
late into the night.
The annual 3 day festival attracts more than 4,000 sportmen and women from all over the world. Parasrampur is famous for
its Shaheed Banda Singh Bahadur Ji Gurdwara.
St. Mary's Cathedral Church(Jalandhar Cantt)
Tulsi Mandir
At some distance is the temple of Gupha, with the image of Annapurna, the goddess of plenty, installed in it. Also nearby
lies the Brahm Kund and some temples dedicated to Shiva. Near the Balmiki gate is the Sheetla Mandir, said to be as old
as the City of Jalandhar. Within its premises are also two small old temples of Hanuman and Shiva.
Wonderland Theme Park
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.
Media
Doordarshan Kendra, Jalandhar is an Indian television station in Jalandhar, owned and operated by state-owned Doordarshan,
the television network of Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India).[8] It was established in 1979 and produces
and broadcasts the 24-hour Punjabi language TV channel, DD Punjabi, which was launched in 1998 and covers most of the
state of Punjab,India.
The city is the region's headquarters for newspapers, national television and radio stations. These include Daily Ajit,
Jagbani, Punjab Kesari, Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran, Hindustan Times, The Tribune, Hind Samachar, etc.
State-owned All India Radio has a local station in Jalandhar that transmits programs of mass interest. FM local radio
stations include:
Sports
Cricket
Cricket is very popular in grounds and streets of the city. There is an international-standard stadium at Burlton Park.
The Indian cricket team played a Test Match against the Pakistan cricket team on this ground on 24 September 1983.
Kabaddi
Major Kabaddi matches are usually held at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium.
Guru Gobind Singh Stadium
Guru Gobind Singh Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Jalandhar. It is usually used mostly for football matches and is
the home stadium of JCT Mills Football Club. People can be seen jogging, playing soccer, weight-lifting, etc. in the
stadium most of the time. The Punjab government has started new projects at the stadium.
Surjit Hockey Stadium
Surjeet Hockey Stadium is a field hockey stadium in Jalandhar, Punjab, India. It is named after Jalandhar-born Olympian
Surjit Singh. This stadium is a home of the franchise Sher-e-Punjab of the World Series Hockey.
Sports College
There is a Government Sports College in the city and it is a focus for many of the National Sports Councils. In this
college, many sports are played like cricket, hockey, swimming, volleyball, basketball, etc.