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From café culture of Los Angeles to
'lassi' of Rajasansi
UN takes Rajasansi under its wing; Amritsar on world map
A plush palace with ultra-modern cafes, a kaleidoscope of colours weaving a rich tapestry of Phulkari, glistening swords that shine brilliantly when unsheathed, smallish dice with which many a king wagered his kingdom, delicate jingling bangles, tall brass glasses famous for serving Punjabi yogurt "lassi" to guests - it's all set to be "Punjab darshan" complete with cultural and historical snippets for tourists, particularly foreigners, visiting Rajasansi.

Direct Singapore flight gives new connectivity
Spread over 1100 acres, the Rajasansi International Airport is undergoing massive upgradation these days. The airport can now handle wide-bodied aircrafts, including jumbos, due to the extension and the strengthening of runway, taxi track and apron area.

Tourist arrival has picked up considerably at the airport, opening the holy city to the world. Photo by Rajeev Sharma

Big boost to tourism on cards A number of international airlines operating from different parts of the world to Amritsar are enticing more than two crore members of the Indian Diaspora, majority of them Punjabis, to visit their roots in India to start a tourism revolution in this part of the region.

Traffic jams choke holy city
Political patronage to encroachers; tourists worst-affected
The city boasts of places of historical and religious places - the famous Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple and Hanuman Temple, the Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs' Memorial, the ancient Ram Tirath Temple associated with the epic Ramayana. The beating-retreat ceremony at the Indo-Pak border too attracts thousands of visitors everyday.


Traffic congestion has become chronic in the city. — Photo by Rajeev Sharma

Come Navratras and little langoors dance in tunics
The unique "Langooranwala Mela" organised on the occasion of "Navratras" commenced at the Durgiana Temple Complex from today. The annual mela attracts childless couples from far off places. Devotees pledge to dress their child as a "langoor", if their wish is fulfilled.

Hindu, Khalsa College mired in controversies
Even as Hindu College hogged the newspapers headlines when its alumni, Dr Manmohan Singh, became Prime Minister, the serious allegations levelled against the Principal and frequent strikes by teachers there has blurred its glorious image.

The majestic Khalsa College still stands tall despite allegations relating to its functioning	Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been a student of Hindu College

On forefront of freedom struggle
Khalsa College played a pivotal role during India's freedom struggle. In 1921, the students and teachers registered their protest against the British rule by boycotting the visit of Prince of Wales to the college.

• Khalsa College's rich history
• Galaxy of stars

Yogi Harbhajan Singh's message inspires Miri Piri students
You can see them washing marble floor of the Parkarma of the Golden Temple, partaking of langar and taking holy dips in the Sarovar, with their heads bobbing up and down in the holy water. These American and European Sikh convert students at the local Miri Piri Academy are invariably the centres of attraction.

Theatre buffs regret dismantling of open-air stage
The open-air theatre, located at the Gandhi Grounds, where legendary artists like Balraj Sahni, Raj Babbar, Gursharan Singh thrilled viewers for many years, has been turned into a concrete centre housing the Punjabi Virsa Vihar, much to the dismay of theatre lovers.

Drumming their way to ‘dhol’
It’s ‘drum up’, not ‘doll up’ for city’s women artistes
With Punjabi women taking to playing the traditional "dhol", yet another male bastion seems to have crumbled! Apart from "dhol", women are increasingly taking on to other traditional folk instruments of Punjab. These musical instruments were hitherto played exclusively by men.


Artistes perform at a state-level function in Amritsar recently

Varsity’s ‘Heritage Village’ to showcase culture
The "Heritage Village" concept of the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, may turn out as the biggest project for the revival of traditional folk culture and heritage.

Folk music through dance and war
Ghungroos, sapp and kato are used in bhangra, while ghaggar, dholki, ghara, bambiha are used by giddha dancers. Bambiha is also used for singing "jagao". Dhaad and sarangi are used for singing of "vaars".

Khalsa College all set for folk museum
Khalsa College, Amritsar, here has its own plans for the revival for folk culture. It is all set for establishing Rs 2.75 crore project of "Guru Hargobind Singh Auditorium".