As Punjab steps into 2025, its fairs and festivals are set to be celebrated on a grander scale, drawing tourists from across the globe. The year began with vibrant events such as the Basant Mela in Ferozepur, the iconic Rural Olympics in Kila Raipur and the Patiala Heritage Festival in Patiala.
These celebrations not only honor Punjab’s rich traditions but also position the state as a top tourist destination. Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond emphasized that under CM Mann’s dynamic leadership, Punjab is reclaiming its stature as a premier travel hotspot.
The government’s commitment to heritage restoration and tourism expansion has brought forth a series of transformative initiatives that showcase Punjab’s deep-rooted history, vibrant culture, and spiritual legacy. The state government had also taken a crucial step in preserving Sikh heritage by initiating the restoration of Jahaz Haveli, the historic residence of Dewan Todar Mall in Fatehgarh Sahib.
Diwan Todar Mall, who bought the land for the cremation of younger sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Baba Zorawar Singh, Baba Fateh Singh, and Mata Gujri Ji after their martyrdom, in its original form will be carried out by the Diwan Todar Mall Virasti Foundation, Punjab.
Punjab under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann is also emerging as a major hub for farm tourism in India, which is transforming the tourism landscape. Sond said that the Punjab government is working on a large scale to develop farm, rural, and agro-tourism.
As a result, the village of Hansali in Fatehgarh Sahib district was recently named Best Village of India in September 2024. Farm tourism is not only beneficial for the local economy but also boosts farmers’ income, creating fresh opportunities within the tourism sector.
Sond said that, Punjab boasts numerous sacred sites, martyrs’ villages, water bodies, and hidden tourist gems. Today i.e. February 27, in holy land of district Rupnagar, the Punjab Govt. has also initiated boating and water adventure activities (opposite Dastan e Shahadat) at Sri Chamkaur Sahib.
Recently, the Punjab Day celebrations were held at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2024, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. On this occasion, the ongoing efforts of the Punjab Government to promote tourism and develop the state into a vibrant “Rangla Punjab” were highlighted, Sond added.
He said that the pavilion showcased the Punjab’s rich culture, heritage, industrial growth, agricultural innovations, handicrafts, and traditional cuisine through various stalls from departments like Punjab Tourism, Markfed, Verka, and Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana.
At this event, the hotel and hospitality industries were invited to invest in Punjab, highlighting the state’s welcoming environment for investment in farm tourism, adventure tourism, rural tourism, and cultural tourism.
In a landmark move to boost tourism and destination weddings, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also inaugurated ‘Ran Baas’, a beautifully restored heritage hotel within Patiala’s iconic Qila Mubarak.