Fast Facts

Area : 134.67 sq km
Languages : Punjabi, Hindi, English
STD Code : 0161

Station name:	Ludhiana, India
NOAA Station Id:	IN42099
Latitude:	30°52'N
Longitude:	075°56'E
Elevation:	255m, 837'

History Of Ludhiana

Ludhiana is located in the state of Punjab in northern India. The city stands on the Grand Trunk Road from Delhi to Amritsar. Ludhiana gets its name from the Lodhi Dynasty, which is believed to have founded the city in the year 1480.

During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Ludhiana became an important British cantonment. Initially, in 1805, Maharaja Ranjit Singh had occupied Ludhiana. However, in 1809, the British decided to curb his advance eastwards and sent troops to confront him. Ranjit Singh was forced to sign the treaty of 'perpetual friendship' with the British, which confined his activities to the right bank of the Sutlej. British troops were permanently stationed in Ludhiana and the Cis-Sutlej states came under British protection.

Many leaders of the Indian freedom movement came from Ludhiana. Prominent among them were Lala Lajpat Rai, Sardar Kartar Singh Saraba, Baba Santa Singh and Maulana Habibur Rehman.

The Punjabi spirit of enterprise and business savvy is best exemplified by the city of Ludhiana which is renowned the world over for its hosiery goods. It is no exaggeration to say that in Ludhiana every household is a mini hosiery unit and everybody seems to be involved in some way or the other in this lucrative business. From Moscow to Montreal, shopping malls retail both cotton and woollen products from Ludhiana. However, Ludhiana's claim to fame is not its commercial enterprises alone. It is an important pilgrimage center as there are many historic Gurdwaras.

Ludhiana also boasts of many prestigious educational institutions. There are two medical colleges and the famous Punjab Agricultural University modeled on the Land Grant of America.

Ludhiana is a part of the Ludhiana-Moga-Ferozepur-Bhatinda-Malout-Muktsar-Faridkot tourist circuit in Punjab. Ludhiana does not have too many scenic spots to boast of. It can be visited either for bulk hosiery shopping or making it a base for the Rural Olympics held in Killa Raipur, Chharpper Mela and Kisan Mela at PAU attract lakhs every year.

One can also visit the Rural Museum at the Punjab Agricultural University. The War Memorial organizes frequent Sound and Light shows, where one can listen to stories of velour of brave, Indian and Punjabi soldiers.

Best Season, Climate, and Clothing

Ludhiana has very hot summers and very cold winters. The monsoon visits this city around July and extends up to the beginning of September. Winters generally set in around November, when it becomes very cold during the night. But the city produces and exports hosiery and woolen products. If you can stand neither extreme heat nor cold, the best time to visit Ludhiana is from February to mid April. Thus, cotton clothing is apt for summers and woolens are required for winters.

The city of Ludhiana is dotted with places of tourist interest.

GURUDWARA SHRIMANJI SAHIB ALAMGIR

Gurudwara Manji Sahib is situated Ten kilometers away from Ludhiana at Alamgir. It marks the place where the Muslim devotee, Nabi Khan and Ghani Khan carried Guru Gobind Singh Ji to safety during the battle Nearby in a tank;
There is a ten feet deep tank near the Gurudwara where, according to a legend, Guru Gobind Singh shot an arrow into the parched land, which miraculously yielded water.

PHILLAUR FORT, LUDHIANA
 
Was designed by Dewan Mohkam Chand,the brave general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh facing the, then, British border along Ludhiana.it is police training center now.

KILLA RIPUR

Twenty kilometres away from Ludhiana is Killa Raipur, which is famous for the Rural Olympics held there. Here, the local population comes to watch the village youth display their sporting skills. The event is held in mid-February. The competitions are essentially of three types in the rural meets. Purely rural games are kabaddi, wrestling, and weight lifting. The performing sports are acrobatics, twisting an iron-rod by placing it on the Adam's apple, passing a tractor over the rib cage, cracking a big stone slab by place it on the chest. There are even more off beat feats, as seen where a young lad applied surma (kohl) on his eyes, with a knife held between his legs. And then there are the modern sports like athletics, hockey, football, volleyball, handball, cycling.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum

Then there is the other tourist attraction of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum. The foundation of this museum was laid in 1990. The museum was planned to create general awareness about the defense services, not only for its role in defending the country but also in strengthening the bonds of national integration and unity. The museum, though not yet complete, has regular shows in a light and sound hall. This presentations showcase the stories of bravery of Indian especially Punjabi soldiers in upholding the pride of the motherland.

The Fort

The fort lies to the northwest of the city of Ludhiana. The main attraction of the fort is the shrine of Pir-i-Dastgir, also known as Abdul Kadir Galani. It draws both Hindu and Muslim pilgrims.

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)

On the outskirts of the city is the world famous Punjab Agricultural University, which is modeled on the Land Grant of America. The University has a Rural Museum, which houses local arts and crafts and objects belonging to the ancient times. The University also organizes a Kisan Mela every year.

Hotels In Ludhiana, India

Majestic Park Plaza - 5 Stars
Address : Bhai Bala Chowk, Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana
Description : Located in the heart of the city, this five star hotel offers a set of 140 well appointed rooms and suites, that have been designed keeping in mind the requirements of the business travelers.

Hotel Gulmor - 2 Stars
Address : Ferozpur Road, Ludhiana
Description : In the Civilized Silence of Gulmor the Roar of the city seems Light Years Away. Supremely Comfortable with Modern Amenities Classic Design and timeless elegance of the Guest Room Interiors capture the unique character of Gulmor.

How to reach us

Air Links:
 International links:
Raja Sansi Airport at Amritsar (200 Km from Ludhiana)
Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi (300 Km from  Ludhiana)

The Domestic airports nearby are:
Airport at Chandigarh (90 Km from Ludhiana)
Palam (Domestic) Airports New Delhi (300 Km from Ludhiana)

Rail / Road Link:
Situated at Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) Ludhiana is well connected by rail and road with all parts of the country and with Pakistan.