Jalandhar

Jalandhar Jalandhar
city
Government
• Mayor	Surinder Mahay
Population  (2001)
• Total	1,953,508

For the Jalandhar meteorite of 1621, see meteorite falls.

Jalandhar (Template:Lang-pa, Template:Lang-hi), previously known as Jullundur, is an ancient city in Jalandhar District in the state of Punjab, India. It was the capital of Trigarttas (people living in the "land between three rivers": Ravi, Beas and Sutlej) in the times of Mahabharata war. It has an urban population of almost a million, and another million live in the rural areas outside the city.

Geography

The city is located almost 375 kms from Delhi, and about 90 kms from Amritsar. Jalandhar is named after Jalandhara, a demon king who lived in water as his name suggests Jal (water) and andhar (in). It was the capital of Punjab until 1953, when it was replaced by Chandigarh. Others say Jalandhar is derived from the fact that it is located between two rivers Jal and Andhar. During British occupation it was called Jullundur.

Industrial hub

People take active part in every event of the city

Jalandhar bus-stand undergoing renovation (around June-2007)

The city is well known for its production of sports equipment, leather goods and rubber goods, auto parts. Many major leather manufacturers are based there, the largest being Gee Kay International who supply a variety of leather products ranging from garments to tool bags around the world. Many major sports equipment manufacturers such as BDM, Cosco, JJ Jonex, Spartan and F.C. Sondhi,PAUL TRADERS are based there. In sports goods, some the world's most well known line for football, cricket, and hockey equipment are made in Jalandhar. Major sports giants such as Adidas, Reebok, Dunns, and Mitre outsource from Jalandhar.

Jalandhar was home town of B.K. Sahni, world renowned Astrologer who had world wide following. A saintly man with vision predicted many political and social forecasts.

Jalandhar is the world's biggest manufacturer of leather tool pouches and aprons with major American and European customers buying from factories in Jalandhar.

Jalandhar is also famous for its surgical tool industry. Jalandhar produces a large number of surgical tools. Big companies like Camlin outsource its production here. The city boasts of having the largest number of hospitals in Asia. A place called Basti Sheikh has got many cottage projects which run without any help of the Punjab government.

Jalandhar also has the biggest printing industry in India. Major publishing and advertising companies like, MBD, Aay Bee advertisers have their main offices in Jalandhar.

Jalandhar is famous for its sports industry, but very few know the name of Hindustan Hydraulics who pioneered the manufacturing of high-tech CNC machines for sheet metal industry. The company has its customers not only in India but in countries like Germany, Holland, USA who are better known for the manufacturing of machine tools around the world.

The famous spin bowler of the Indian cricket team Harbhajan Singh comes from Jalandhar.

Jalandhar is also quite known for its electrical goods industry. Manufacturers like Standard Switchgears and Apex Electricals, located in Jalandhar, have been producing world-class electrical switchgears for over three decades.

The city is the media and mass communication hub of the region having the regional headquarters of the national television and radio channels.Radha Sahni[1] renowned Media personality who won personal acclamation from President of India on her [works] belongs to JalandharRemi Clair also known as Remi Kaler is proud son of Jalandhar who has shown his worth as an actor when he bagged second lead role in a North American movie. A number of popular Punjabi folk and Bhangra singers belong to this city including Apache Indian, Hans Raj Hans, Jasbir Jassi, Jazzy B, Salim, and Sarabjit Cheema. Some Bollywood singers that have come out the city, including the legendary K.L. Saigal.Voxnox international Internet evengelist and ethical hacker and writer of best seller security and internet belongs to Jalandhar.

History

In ancient times, the district or Kingdom of Jalandhar comprised the whole of the Upper Doabas from the Ravi to the Satluj. According to the Padama Purana, as quoted by General Conningham the country takes its name from the great Daitya King Danava Jalandhara the son of the Ganga by Ocean.

Lush greenery after a shower

BMC Chowk

The earliest historical mention of Jalandhar occurs in the region of Kanishka, the Kushan King of northern India in whose time, a council of Buddhist theologians was held near Jalandhar about 100 AD to collect and arrange the sacred writings of Buddhism and to bring about reconciliation between its various sects. This makes Jalandhar along with Multan the oldest surviving city of the Punjab region.

In the 7th Century, when the famous Chinese traveller and pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visited India during the reign of Harsha Vardhana, the Kingdom of Jalandhara or Trigartta was under the rule of Raja Utito (whom Alexender Cunningham identifies with the Rajput Raja Attar Chandra). The kingdom was said to have extended 167 miles (269 km) from east to west and 133 miles (214 km) from north to south, thus including the hill states of Chamba, Mandi and Suket (Himachal Pradesh) and Satadru or Sirhind in the plains. Raja Utito was a tributary of Harsh Vardhana. The Rajput Rajas appear to have continued to rule over the country right up to the 12th century, with occasional interruptions, but their capital was Jalandhar and Kangra formed an important stronghold.

According to the Chinese pilgrim Fahien, who traveled India in the seventh century AD, there were so many Vihars of Buddhism in India. In the Jalandhar Doab, there were as many as 50 Vihars of Buddhism. The Buddhist religion was adopted by a large number of people.

From the later half of the tenth century up to AD 1019, the district was included in the Shahi Kingdom of the Punjab and Jalandhar was an important city in the region.

Educational Institutions

Jalandhar is also home to some of the major educational institutions of the region. Notable among them are: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar, the DAV Insitute of Engineering and Technology the Punjab Technical University,Govt. Tanning Institute,), Lovely Professional University, Apeejay Institute of Management, DAV College, DOABA College, Kanya Maha Vidyalaya(mostly known as KMV), Mehr Chand Polytechnic, Apeejay College of Fine Arts,Guru Nanak Dev University Regional Campus, Ladhewali, B.D. Arya Girls College and Lyallpur Khalsa College(Major Institute in Northern India having approx. 9000 strength of students,imparting professional education in Computer sc & IT) .

Small alley in Jalandhar, close to the fish-market

NIT Jalandhar

Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar (erstwhile Regional Engineering College) is the eighteenth NIT of the country. The institution was established in the year 1987 as Regional Engineering College and recently (October 17, 2002) has been given the status of National Institute of Technology (Deemed University) by the Government of India under the control of Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi.

As National Institute of Technology, the institute has a responsibility of providing high quality education in Engineering and Technology to produce competent technical manpower for the country. The institute offers BTech program in nine disciplines of Engineering and Technology along with research programs leading to MTech and PhD. The institute acquires a national character having 50% student intake from the State of Punjab and the rest from other states/union territories of the country. http://www.nitj.ac.in

Education & Travel Industry

Jalandhar is also known as city of NRI'S. Education and travel related Offices are situated in Jalandhar. Going abroad for the purpose of higher education and settlement is like craze in jalandhar and its surrounding districts. Many Consultacy office are working in this area. Leading Name in this industry have their offices in Jalandhar. Notable among them: CAAN World Consultants, A Leading name in education Consultacy. http://www.caanworld.net

Jalandhar Cantonment

Jalandhar Cantonment is one of the oldest cantonments in India, the construction of which was started in 1848 after the first Anglo-Sikh War, when the British settled in Northern India. The original scope of this cantonment was limited to troops to quell disturbances from adjoining States for the maintenance of peace and order. In 1920 the cantonment was the scene of mutiny by Irish soldiers, who took down the Union Flag and replaced it by the flag of the Irish Republic, proclaimed at the time in Dublin (See The Connaught Rangers#Mutiny in India, 1920).

The departure of British from India and subsequent partition of the country changed the complexion of the Cantonment. It has gained tremendous importance on account of its nearness to the border with Pakistan. The Cantonment is located between latitude 30° 18' and longitude 75° 37' on the southwest and at a distance of 2 km from Cantonment Railway Station and 5 km from City Railway Station. It is situated beside Grand Trunk Road at a distance of 89 km from Amritsar and 371 km from Delhi. It covers an area of 5.87 square miles (15.2 km²). It is on Amritsar-Delhi Broad Gauge Main Line. A Class-I airfield at Adampur is situated at a distance of 19 km. The airfield is linked with Jalandhar Cantonment by rail and road.

Tourist Info

Jalandhar Railway Station's reception block

Weather: Jalandhar gets very dry and hot in summers lasting from April to July. Moonsoon Rains start around early to mid July and last through August and end in September. It becomes quite cold in Dec-January. Best time to visit Jalandhar is January to March, as this time climate is quite pleasant. Along with this you can enjoy festivals like Lohri and Basant Panchami with kite flying.

Travel options from Delhi include train and road travel. Jalandhar is well connected by trains, including a Shatabdi train from Delhi to Amritsar via Jalandhar which runs twice a day with air-conditioned chair car coaches. Jammu Mail, among others, runs in the night from Delhi to Jalandhar.

Hotels in Jalandhar: The Regent Park Hotel, Skylark Hotel, Dolphin, Hotel Plaza, Majestic Grand, Lilly Resorts, President Hotel, Kamal Palace, The Maya Hotels, Raddison Hotel, Country Inn & Suites, Leo Fortune, Taj, Taramount etc. provide budget to luxury accommodations in Jalandhar. Price range varies from $10 to $400 per day.

Community gets together at markets, amusement parks etc especialy on weekends

Places to visit in Jalandhar:Amongst the various places to visit in Jalandhar a few are The Pushpa Gujral Science City, The Devi Talab Mandir, Haveli( a restaurant that gives you the feel of the village life in Punjab)etc.

Harballabh Fair

The most notable event in Jalandhar is the annual national Harballabh Fair which is held every year from 26th to 29th of December. Prominent exponents of classical music, both vocal and instrumental, from all over the country gathers to provide a rare feast of music for the connoisseur. The Sangeet Sammelan is held in the premises of Devi Talab 1.5 km from the Railway Station. Even Mahatma Gandhi was attracted to the festival in 1929. Jalandhar has been in the thick of the fight for freedom from the British Raj and has produced many patriots. A Desh-Bhagat Memorial Hall has been constructed here to perpetuate the memory of such martyrs. More information on Harballabh is available at their official website http://www.harballabh.org

Devi Talab Mandir

An old temple of goddess Kali stands by the side of the Devi Talab. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and the Kali is known as Tripurmalini. Sati Devi's right breast fell here. Lord Shiva of this temple is called Bhishan Bhairav.

Shiv Mandir

The temple has an unusual architecture. Its main gate is built in the style of a mosque while the rest of the building is in Hindu style. This temple dates back to the Lodhi Era (period of reign: 1451 to 1526 CE.). Its situated in Gur-mandi Jalandhar.

Baba Sodal Mela

The fair of Baba Sodal is associated with Sodal, a small boy who came to be respected as a baby-God. The fair is held to commemorate his death anniversary at his smadh. The fair is held once a year in the month of Bhadon which roughly corresponds to mid-September. The celebration take place on the 14th of Shukal Paksh (bright half of the lunar month), the day on which child deity left for his heavenly abode. The fair lasts for one day. In the early hours of the morning, women come in large numbers to make offering at the smadh.

The legend goes that Sodal was born in a family of Chadha clan of Khatri caste in Jalandhar City. It is said that one day the mother of Baba Sodal went to nearby pond to wash clothes. Despite her repeatedly asking to him to go back, he followed her. The mother lost temper and shouted at him, " Have you come here to die? Go and drown yourself in the pond." It is said that Sodal asked her three times to repeater words which she did. Sodal then plunged into the water never to appear again. According to another version, he simply fell dead on the spot; according to still another version he transformed himself into a snake and bored himself into the earth.

The main place of worship is the smadhi of Baba Sodal. Inside the smadhi, there is a painted portrait of Baba Sodal kept decorated with garlands and rosaries and is looked after by a separate priest. There is a pucca tank called ‘Baba Sodal-Da-Sarowar’. The offering at the smadh are distributed among the pilgrims and sprinkle a few drops on their body. Some have a dip in the tank.

Pilgrims of all religions come to the fair from different parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Among the pilgrims, females form the majority to seek blessing for children and general well-being of their families.

Ferozpur city is a centre for numerous holy shrines and historical places.

• Website on baba Sodal Ji made by local boys

District Administration

• The Deputy Commissioner, an officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Service, is the overall in-charge of the General Administration in the district. He is assisted by a number of officers belonging to Punjab Civil Service and other Punjab state services.

• The Senior Superintendent of Police, an officer belonging to the Indian Police Service, is responsible for maintaining Law & Order and related issues in the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Punjab Police Service and other Punjab Police officials.

• The Divisional Forest Officer, an officer belonging to the Indian Forest Service, is responsible for the management of the Forests, Environment and Wild-Life in the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Punjab Forest Service and other Punjab Forest officials and Punjab Wild-Life officials.

• Sectoral development is looked after by the district head/officer of each development department such as PWD, Health, Education, Agriculture, Animal husbandry, etc. These officers are from various Punjab state services.

Famous personalities

• Hafeez Jalandhari: Famous poet who wrote current national anthem of Pakistan.
• Zia Jalandhari, Former MD of PTV during Zia's regime and a famous Urdu poet.
• Lawrence Durrell, writer, born in Jalandhar, on 27 February 1912.
• K.L. Saigal Legend Bollywood actor and singer.
• Mistry Mohammed Hussain, one of them who start sewing machine work in India, teacher of K.L. Saigal
• Bhagat Singh, Indian freedom fighter
• Baba Kashmira Singh, Famous for their Charity Services.."http://www.babakashmirasingh.org/"
• Jagjit Singh, famous Indian Ghazal singer
• Dalip Singh Rana (The Great Khali), Indian professional wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment
• Yash Chopra, Bollywood heavyweight
• Hans Raj Hans, famous Punjabi singer
• Shubhdeep Toor, famous Baker and CFL MVP
• Remi Kaler, also known as Remi Clair, North American actor.
• Lord Swaraj Paul, first Indian to be given title of Lord by British Government
• Col Balbir Singh Kullar, Olympian, hockey player
• Hakeem Syed Muhammad Alauddin: Famous Hakeem in Karachi (died 1997).
• Iftikhar Ahmed: Famous indian actor.
• Imtiaz Ahmed: PTV actor (uncle Urfi fame), brother of Iftikhar Ahmed, an indian actor.
• Ajitpal Singh, Olympian, Hockey player.
• Surjit Singh, Olympian, Hockey player.
• Pargat Singh, Olympian, Hockey player.
• I.K. Gujral former Prime Minister of India
• Sunil Dutt, famous Bollywood Actor
• P Paul Verma, Director, Producer and Writer of Punjabi & Hindi movies.
• Ch. Abdul Hameed Khan, Rehabilitation Commissioner of East and West Pakistan, settled in Lahore Model Town with his wife and sons,Ch.Abdul waheed and Ch. Moin-ud-din Ahmed
• General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, 6th President of Pakistan & Chief of the Pakistan Army, the dictator who hanged the first elected prime minister of Pakistan Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto, and who created and/or strengthened many ethnic and sectarian terrorist groups/parties in Pakistan.
• Harbhajan Singh, Indian National Cricket team
• Wasim Sajjad, two-time Acting President of Pakistan, Ex Chairman of Senate.
• Hafeez Jalandhri, Urdu poet.
• Shaikh Anwar-ul-Haq, Former Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court who awarded death sentence to ZA Bhutto
• Ibn-e-Insha, Urdu poet and writer
• Mian Mohammed Sharif, Surveyor General of Pakistan. After the Partition he migrated to Pakistan
• Lala Amarnath, famous Indian cricketer
• Rohit Sahni, a spirtualist and reformist working for the social upliftment of the society in India.

External links

• Govt. Website on Jalandhar
• www.myjalandhar.in Blog and Portal For Jalandhar Maintained by NRI
• Public blog on Jalandhar
• www.jalandhar.co.in Very Nice Info On Jalandhar