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Punalur

Punalur (Malayalam: പുനലൂര്, Punalūr) is a town and a municipality in Kerala in India.

Get in
Punalur is 45 km northeast of Kollam and 75 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. Punalur Railway Station is on the Kollam-Shencotta railway line. The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram. The Main Eastern Highway (Punalur-Adoor-Muvattupuzha Road /SH-08) and Kollam-Shengottai Road (NH-208) connects the town to other major towns.

Get around
Local taxis and autorickshaws are available.

Buy
Spices from the local market.

Eat
Local cuisine.

Go next
K.S.R.T.C buses ply regularly to nearby towns including Adoor and Pathanamthitta and Kottarakara which are all well connected to other parts of Kerala.

title: Punalur


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Punat

Punat lies on the eastern coast of the bay of Punat on the island of Krk in Croatia. It is well protected against storm, as well as the whole bay of Punat. In the bay of Punat there is a well known marina. In the middle of the bay of Punat there is a little island called Košljun, famous for a Franciscan monastery and ethnographic and sacral museum collections.

Do
Punat has a long tradition of fishing and this is immediately obvious as one visits the port of Punat in the summer, bustling with boats of different shapes and sizes. Fishing is no longer reserved just for the locals, tourists may join on one of the fishing trips and also enjoy a delicious dinner made on board from the fresh catch. The owners of the boats Zlatopružica and Lenica offer this unique experience.

Eat
Punat has a range of restaurants for every taste. It is especially worth going to one of the fish restaurants, however a special tip is to eat in a konoba - a traditional rustic taverna usually featuring an open-hearth fireplace. Apart from fish, it is recommended to try the island delicacy - šurlice. A type of home-made pasta prepared with beef goulash. A good konoba in Punat is "Konoba Sidro" along the Punat promenade.

Drink
There are three popular places to go out, each with different kind of music.

 * In the port, there is a small cafe Piccolo which hosts evenings with bands such as Boduli that play mostly Croatian popular songs, Dalmatian romantic tunes or traditional songs from continental Croatia that make you want to dance. They are multitalented musicians that sing in harmony at the same time playing on traditional Croatian instruments.
 * Onix is a bar on the coast on the way to the beach that has a proper club-feel in the summer and hosts bigger concerts, ranging from Croatian pop music to DJ events to turbo folk.
 * Cinema, a cafe in the centre of town hosting mostly DJ sets with a bit more hard-core music.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Punat


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Puncak

Puncak (literally Peak or Summit) or the Puncak Pass is a mountain pass in the Bogor Raya region of Western Java, Indonesia. The designation 'Puncak' is also used for the wider mountain region around the pass, which is a popular tourism destination.

Understand
The region around the Puncak Pass has been developed for its tea plantations during the Dutch colonial time. After the construction of the Great Post Road in the early 19th century, the area became more easily accessible from the cities of Buitenzorg (present-day Bogor) and Batavia (Jakarta) and the upper class, that was looking for the cooler mountain air, started to built Swiss-type chalets in the area.

Also after Indonesian independence the Puncak region has remained a popular tourism destination, and it is especially a popular weekend getaway for the citizens of the Greater Jakarta metropolitan area. The region therefore has an abundance of hotels, villas, and mountain resorts. During weekends and holidays the roads of Puncak, as well as the highway from Jakarta via Bogor to Puncak, are very congested. A large number of foreign tourists come from the Middle East. Many of them stay for months with its big families, so many people, mainly in Cisarua on the western side of the pass, can speak Arabic. Arabic signs on hotels and money changers' shops and also Arab restaurants with Arabic-language menus can be found easily in Cisarua which nowadays is known as 'Arab Village'. For Middle East tourists visiting Indonesia, Puncak is a must and the popularity of Puncak leads Bali.

The mountains on the south side of the pass are the Gede and Pangrango volcanoes. Since 1980, the mountain area has been designated a nature reserve as Mount Gede Pangrango National Park. There are various options for recreation in the national park area.

By car
Puncak is a two- to three-hour drive from Jakarta via the Jagorawi toll road. There is usually heavy inbound traffic on weekends, and especially long holiday weekends. When heavy traffic jams occur, police often make the main road into Puncak a one-way street for one to two hours, and then reverse the direction. This is safe, because a police car guides the one-way flow, but it can result in very significant delays. Don't take guidance on alternative routes from young men along the road, as the alternative routes are usually not faster, and people in villages along such routes may require the driver to give them money, or scratch the car.

From the eastern side, from Bandung via Cianjur, the drive to Puncak takes usually about 3-3½ hours.

By public transport
Most people go to Puncak with a private vehicle, but it is also possible to travel by public transport. There are frequent 'L300' minibuses that travel between Baranangsiang terminal in Bogor and Cianjur. There are no fixed bus stops on the way, but you can ask the driver to drop you off anywhere along the road on the mountain pass. There are also various bus companies (on routes such as Bogor-Bandung) that traverse the Puncak pass, and you can ask to get off in Puncak. Most buses however take the detour via the tolled motorways, so make sure you take a bus that takes the Puncak route.

Get around
Getting around in the Puncak area is easiest if you have your own vehicle. However, keep in mind that Indonesian driving habits are daunting and chaotic, and traffic rules are often ignored. Frequently, the entire main road over the Puncak pass is congested. In times that it is not congested, overtaking habits of many drivers are very dangerous (overtaking in blind corners, for example). Especially if it is your first time in Indonesia, it is advisable to rent a car with a driver, rather than to drive by yourself. The additional cost of hiring a driver is usually about Rp100,000 to 150,000 per day. When heavy traffic jams occur (mainly during weekends and holidays), police often make the main road into Puncak (on the western side) a one-way street for one to two hours, and then reverse the direction.

Public transport is mainly available along the main road (from Bogor via the Puncak pass to Cianjur). There are various angkot (public minivan) routes, such as from the pass to Cipanas, and from Cipanas to Cibodas. The angkots do not follow a fixed schedule, and there are no fixed stops (to get on, simply raise your hand to the driver). In case of traffic congestion, angkot drivers often try to overtake by using the roadside shoulder or parking places. This makes angkots generally quicker than other vehicles, but only slightly.

A good way (or the only way) to get off the main road if you don't have your own vehicle is hiring an ojek (motorcycle taxi). Ojek riders are usually waiting in groups at major street corners. You will have to negotiate a price, but for a short trip (a few km) by ojek a price of Rp10,000-20,000 is common. In case of heavy traffic congestion, prices of ojek rides increase, as people may use their services to get out of the mountain region. Ojek can nowadays also be hired through an app on your phone, popular on-demand ojek services include Go-Jek and GrabBike.

See

 * Palace Cipanas.JPG

Do

Buy
Along Jalan Raya Cipanas, the main road on the eastern side of the mountain pass, there are lots of nurseries offering flowers and other decorative plants. They are generally cheap, but you will need to negotiate with the vendor for a good price. In addition, there are several factory outlet stores selling branded clothes for discounted prices.

Eat

Moreover, some of the hotels listed in Sleep below have restaurants.

Drink
Cafés that sell alcoholic drinks are not common, but usually you can buy a Bintang beer at least in the larger hotels and resorts.

Sleep
Puncak is a popular area for Jakarta residents to hang out. Finding very cheap (backpacker-style) accommodation with room prices of less than Rp100,000 is difficult. It's a popular option among locals, however, to rent a villa in Puncak. If you have a group of friends, this could end up not so expensive per person.

Splurge
The high-end hotels often have a standard full rate for the rooms (as listed below), but offer significant discount when rooms are booked online in advance.

Private villas
The following are private, individual villas which only take a single group of customers at a time.

Go next

 * Mount Gede Pangrango National Park — conservation area around two volcanoes.
 * Bogor — the nearest city on the western side of the mountain pass, famous for its botanical gardens.
 * Cianjur — the nearest city on the eastern side.

title: Puncak


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Pune

Pune (Marathi: पुणे Puṇe), formerly Poona, is the second largest city in the Indian state of Maharashtra with an estimated population of 7.4 million as of 2020. It is also considered the state's cultural capital. Pune is known for its educational tourism and has a blend of cultural, business, health, and cuisine tourism background. The large student population in the city makes for a lively nightlife and vibrant atmosphere. Pune also houses fantastic restaurants, good museums, and hill forts which offer panoramic views.

Understand

Pune (poo-nneh) has a long history that stretches back nearly 1600 years. Pataleshwar caves (near Jangli Maharaj Road) from the 5th century are evidence of Pune's old settlements.

Pune is a gateway to knowledge about the past with opportunities to learn from the help of forts, monuments, museums and higher-learning institutions. From the medieval Maratha history of King Shivaji to a visit to Aga Khan Palace to learn about Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent freedom struggle, there is much to learn here. If the quote "Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it!" sounds interesting, make a visit to the Gayakwadwada museum. If interested in ancient Indian history or Indology, then Deccan College, Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal, and Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute are places of research and learning and house their own museums as well.

Pune has been called the "Oxford of the East". It is a university town. There are many colleges and institutes here that offer everything from engineering to fine arts. These establishments boast a large number of foreign students in addition to locals.

Climate
The climate of Pune is quite pleasant. Pune has three distinct seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. Summers are typically hot with maximum temperatures ranging from 35 to 42°C. The warmest month in Pune is generally April as compared to the rest of the Deccan Plateau where it is May.

Pune does not get very hot. Even during the peak of summer, the air is cool and standing under a tree can give respite from the heat. However, as frequent sunlight can cause sunburn, be sure to carry and use sunscreens (above SPF-30). The nights in Pune are significantly cooler than most other parts of this region due to its high altitude.

The average rainfall is approx 550 mm. The city often receives thundershowers with heavy downpours in May, which brings down the temperature. The rainy season can sometimes be gloomy, with cloud cover for many days in a row. In winter, day temperatures can be as low as 24 - 28°C and temperatures at night as low as 5 - 8°C. Winters are generally dry. Normally, the climate in Pune is pleasant during the month of November.

Talk
Pune is a fairly cosmopolitan city. Although Marathi is the official language of the city and also the most common language spoken on the streets, most people also speak Hindi along with English.

Get in
Pune is a major transportation hub for Western Maharashtra. It serves as the gateway for the numerous hill stations in the Sahyadri Hills.

By train
Pune has many connections to other Indian cities by train. Check train availability on the Indian Rail website before you go, as train timings are subject to change. There are mainline routes to Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai.

By car
Pune is served by three national highways (NH) and an expressway.
 * NH 4 between Mumbai in the west and Chennai in the south passes through Pune. NH 4, a part of the Golden Quadrilateral of highways connects Pune to Bangalore also. Satara, Kolhapur and Kagal all in Maharashtra are connected to Pune by NH 4. National Highway 4 runs through the villages of Shirwal, Naraspur, Hadapsar, Khadki, Tolegaon, Wadgaon, Lonavala, and Khandala within Pune district.
 * NH 9 connects Pune in Maharashtra to Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. Indapur, Solapur, and Umarga in Maharashtra, followed by Rajeshwar, Homnabad, and Mangalgi in Karnataka, and thereafter Zahirabad, Hyderabad, Suryapeta and Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh are connected by NH 9 to Pune. The villages of Kambhargaon, Bhigvan, Ravangaon, Loni Kaibhor, and Theur within the district of Pune are connected by this highway.
 * NH 50 connects Pune to Nashik. The cities of Sangamner, Narayangaon, and Khed all in Maharashtra are connected by this highway. Chakan, Rajgurunagar, Malegaon, Mancharo, Kalamb, Narayangaon, and Aleo are the important locations on this highway between Pune and Nashik.

By bus
It takes about three hours to get from the Mumbai airport to Pune via the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. Private and state-owned companies (MSRTC) operate luxury buses on this route and run 24-hour service with buses departing every fifteen minutes. MSRTC buses charge approximately ₹200 (Non AC) and ₹420 (AC) for the journey. The MSRTC A/C "Shivneri" buses operate between 5:30AM - midnight. Below are arrival and departure points for buses from cities and villages outside of Pune.

By taxi
Shared cabs operate on a route from Pune City Station to Dadar, Mumbai. These taxis seat 4 to 5 people and charge ₹300 per person using a regular car, ₹800 for a Fiat Premier and ₹1000 for an Ambassador. Cool cabs (taxis with air conditioning) are also available which charge higher. The rates for such doorstep taxi services start from ₹2100 (including toll tax). Uber Intercity also operates between Mumbai and Pune for about ₹2000.

By auto-rickshaw
There is a massive army of three-wheeled rickshaws. Some prepaid rickshaw stands can be found at Shivajinagar, Swargate Bus Depot and Pune Airport. All rickshaws plying in the Pune Municipal Corporation limits are supposed to charge according to the meter.

Drivers will give you endless excuses why they cannot use the meter. They are required by law to have a working meter and use it, and this will almost always be the cheapest for you too. If they still refuse, walk away: there are plenty of other rickshaws on the roads. In fact, drivers of rickshaws that you flag down from the streets (if practical and possible) will often be more agreeable than those waiting in stands, who demand more fare.

The driver may occasionally stop to ask for directions depending on how familiar he is with the area. Nowadays, many auto rickshaw drivers try to charge extra for long distances or very short distances, or they refuse the fare. Stick to the demand of charging by meter and refuse strongly to pay any extra amount, unless it is past midnight. It is very common for rickshaw drivers plying between 11PM and 6AM to demand 1½ times the normal rates for the journey. You are advised to get this cleared with the driver before boarding the rickshaw.

If they realise you are not from the city, they may try to take longer routes to the destination to charge extra money from you. Thus, outsiders and foreigners, use your own judgement before boarding any auto rickshaw. Autorickshaw drivers may also refuse to travel to quite a few parts of the city at their convenience; however, this is against the law if their meter reads "on hire" in the upright position. If the sign is turned sideways, the rickshaw driver is not working and can refuse you.

If you have complaints against auto drivers for not accepting short-distance rides (or any rides), asking more meter fare, not using a meter, taking other passengers along the way, carrying more passengers than allowed capacity, stopping at bus stands or other similar complaints of serious nature, you can email or call the Road Transport Authorities at or 020-27492828 (PCMC) or email rtopune@dataone.in. Traffic cops usually come right away to the spot to book a complaint against the driver. Commuters can also send their MMS pictures at +91 9420218338. The complaints should clearly mention all details including the auto's registration number, the time of taking the rickshaw, details of auto fare, the distance commuted, locations, date, time, and nature of the complaint. After so many calls and complaints, the RTO/police can fine them as heavily as ₹50 for refusal of service.

By bus
City buses in Pune are run by the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML). PMPML has replaced its ageing fleet with CNG buses, and as of March 2023 is replacing them with AC electric buses. But the new buses might not run on unpopular routes. Almost all parts of the city are connected by the PMPML city buses. Major city bus stands include Corporation, Shivaji Nagar, Swargate, Kothrud depot, Nigdi, Hadapsar, Katraj and Deccan. Shivaji Nagar is believed to be the busiest bus stand in the state of Maharashtra. The fare is calculated by distance, and ranges from ₹5 to 30. It is advised to opt for a daily bus pass if you are going to take multiple buses. The pass costs between ₹40 and ₹50. To travel to other cities from Pune, there are many private bus operators available. You can find it on the bus booking sites like Redbus, Abhibus, and Myticketbuddy.

By bus rapid transit
PMPML also operates a bus rapid transit system called Rainbow Bus Rapid Transit System (Rainbow BRTS). It runs on four BRT routes with dedicated infrastructure.

By car
Though there is a lot of traffic in Pune you can't compare it to Cairo or Kolkata. A majority of the vehicles are two-wheelers and apart from the peak hours, the roads in Pune are sparsely filled. There are quite a few car rental agencies in Pune. Most of them charge around ₹2500 a day for a mid-size car. There are extra charges for distances above 100 km. It is recommended to get a driver if you are not familiar with Indian cities and this also helps remove the problem of finding parking. Even in India, the interpretation of traffic conventions is very flexible and not for the inexperienced or faint-hearted. There are also taxis available like Uber, and OLA which charge fairly as compared to auto rickshaws.

If you are driving a car always be careful, since motorbike riders may overtake you from left or right and cut lanes without warning.

By taxi
Several radio taxi companies operate in Pune. Uber and Ola are easily available throughout the city.
 * WheelocityTaxi, Viman nagar, Pune. Professionally Managed by an engineer. Call +91 8459581857. ( Updated May 2024)
 * WheelocityTaxi, Viman nagar, Pune. Professionally Managed by an engineer. Call +91 8459581857. ( Updated May 2024)
 * WheelocityTaxi, Viman nagar, Pune. Professionally Managed by an engineer. Call +91 8459581857. ( Updated May 2024)
 * WheelocityTaxi, Viman nagar, Pune. Professionally Managed by an engineer. Call +91 8459581857. ( Updated May 2024)

By two-wheeler
This city was once known as the city of bicycles, but now it has turned into the city of motorcycles. Most traffic rules are completely ignored in Pune and there are ten times as many two-wheelers as there are cars. The general attitude towards riding motorbikes in the city is that of total ignorance of any set-forth traffic regulations along with complete disregard for one's safety (including not wearing a helmet). Here people ride motorbikes as if they are riding a war horse and will generally try to overtake every vehicle in front. Minor accidents on motorbikes are common; You are advised to be careful even when your signal is green as the traffic flow from other directions generally does not stop immediately. Wearing a helmet is compulsory in Pune. The fine for driving without a helmet has been increased from ₹100 to ₹500, which includes both the rider as well as the pillion.

Pune's roads might turn to horrid potholes from the smooth tarmac in a matter of seconds when it rains. Always be on the lookout. The addition of new bicycle tracks all over has made an improvement in two-wheeler traffic.

If you do want to hire a two-wheeler, there are two outfits that rent these vehicles in Pune. A 100cc Bajaj Platina will cost ₹200 a day and an automatic Honda scooter will cost ₹300. If you are planning on day trips from Pune you would be best with the larger wheels and light weight of a motorcycle rather than a scooter. Both outfits will most likely deliver to your accommodation if you ask nicely.

By train
The Pune Suburban Railway is the suburban railway network connecting Pune to its adjoining suburbs. As of June 2023, it has three routes:
 * Pune Junction–Lonavala
 * Pune Junction–Talegaon
 * Pune Junction–Daund–Baramati, used by Diesel Electric Multiple Units (DEMUs)

By metro
Pune Metro is the metro system serving the city. As of 2023, it has two lines:

 * Purple Line (PCMC Bhavan–Phugewadi)
 * Aqua Line (Vanaz–Garware College)

See
Pune is the cultural capital of Maharashtra. The Marathi film industry is also based here.

Places of worship
Temples: Synagogues:

Scenery

Do

 * Bird Watching: Enjoy boating and bird viewing in some of the city parks of Pune. Migratory parks can be viewed throughout the year in Pune. At the right time, you can see many migrated birds in the parks.
 * Bird Watching: Enjoy boating and bird viewing in some of the city parks of Pune. Migratory parks can be viewed throughout the year in Pune. At the right time, you can see many migrated birds in the parks.

Festivals
Pune has a full calendar of events, ranging from Classical Music to Rock Concerts. However, Pune's most famous festival is the Pune Festival, which is held during the Ganesha Mahotsav.

 * The Chatushrungi Fair is an annual event. It is held overnight on Navratri at Senapati Bapat Road. Giant-wheels are the main attractions but the food sold at the stalls is delicious too.
 * The Ganesh Utsav or Ganeshotsav initiated by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, today is celebrated with great enthusiasm, as city interiors almost remain blocked for ten days. This is usually around the month of September and dates vary based on Hindu calendar. Pune has more than 2000 mandals with Dagdusheth Halwai being the biggest and most famous one.
 * The Osho Festival is another international crowd puller in Pune. Held in the Osho Aashram in Koregaon Park, disciples and followers of Bhagwaan Rajneesh make it a point to attend this festival.
 * The Pune International Film Festival - takes place annually and attracts some splendid films from around the world. This festival which generally takes place in January, lasts for a week and is a treat for film lovers in the city. Passes for single day or for entire duration are available at any of the multiplexes hosting the festival at reasonable rates.
 * Sawai Gandharva classical music festival, which started back in the 1960s, has had every Indian and international artist perform and has given rise to a number of budding ones too. It is held in the months of December from dawn to dusk over three days.

A number of college festivals have become very commercialised, but still attract big crowds and a very high degree of competition from colleges all over Pune. Verve organised by Express Youth Forum is the biggest inter-collegiate cultural festival in India while Concepts organized by the Pune Institute of Computer Technology (PICT) is a very popular engineering (technical) event. The College of Engineering, Pune also organizes a technical festival which attracts participants from all over India. So all year round, there is enough excitement to keep the Punekars and tourists on their toes!

Parks and stadiums

 * MCA Stadium is not fully complete, but is scheduled to host matches at the Cricket World Cup in Oct 2023. It doesn't have a resident team. It's 25 miles north of the city along the highway to Mumbai.
 * MCA Stadium is not fully complete, but is scheduled to host matches at the Cricket World Cup in Oct 2023. It doesn't have a resident team. It's 25 miles north of the city along the highway to Mumbai.

Learn
One of Pune's nicknames is Oxford of the East because of the presence of many renowned educational universities and colleges. Some of the prominent ones are:

 * BJ Medical College - Affiliated with the University of Pune
 * College of Engineering, Pune - Affiliated with the University of Pune
 * Fergusson College
 * Symbiosis International University
 * University of Pune

Buy
Pune is a city where you will find an excellent range of streetside shops as well as a few outstanding malls. Pune is a good place to pick up some Indian slippers made of rubber. Soft, comfortable Kolhapuri chappals (leather sandals), that are manufactured in the town of Kolhapur, can be found in many of the street shops in Pune.

Budget
All the places listed here are places where you can bargain hard and get some good stuff off the pavement for rock-bottom prices. There are several roads and areas that have clusters of shopping in them.

 * Fashion Street. In the Pune Camp Area, near M.G. Road. This market has lots of inexpensive readymade garments, footwear, leather items and fashion accessories. Be sure to bargain to get the best prices.
 * Hongkong Lane. In Deccan, near the Garware Bridge. The lane has a blink-and-you-will-miss-it entrance. This small street has large offerings, including bags, clothes, accessories, books and footwear.
 * Juna Bazar. Near the Pune Railway Station (en route to the Pune Municipal Corporation). The market is held every Wednesday and Sunday on the street approx 9AM to 6PM. It is similar to a flea market and you can purchase a variety of interesting objects for throw-away prices including old rare coins, gramophone records, and other such unique paraphernalia.
 * Koregaon Park. One of the several boutiques on North Main Road and its by-lanes in Koregaon Park. These are small, exclusive boutiques and have a good collection. Expect to pay more for these clothes, but you may find the occasional great bargain.
 * Laxmi Road. A very huge market selling gold jewellery and clothes.
 * M.G. Road. Any items such as shoes, clothing, pots, pans, electronics, stationary, furniture, kitchen sinks etc. can be found at Modelina Grant Road, known to locals as M.G. Road.
 * Tulshi Baug. On the Bajirao Road, near Maharashtra Bank. It is a must visit and also favourite household items such as crockery, vegetable stands. Very cheap ladies garments, footwear and other items required for daily use are available at low prices.
 * Vishram Baug Wada. There is a shop inside Vishram baug wada where you get variety of decorative as well as daily use items. The highlight of this shop is all the goods are created by small groups of women (Mahila Bachat Gata). Most of the items are handmade and exclusive variety. We must support such groups of women who are fighting against all odds to become independent.

Books
Puneites are crazy about books. This shows in the number of excellent bookshops scattered throughout the city. The area known as 'Appa Balwant Chowk' is famous for various big and small book shops. Some of them specialize in subjects like law, management, religion, computer, or music.

Birds of Pune available from Centre for Environment Education and Kalpavriksh

 * Book Space, 593, Ganesh Peth.
 * Book World, Basement, Sagar Arcade, FC Road.
 * The Crossword chain of bookshops has 8 branches in Pune.
 * Popular Book Shop, Deccan Gymkhana.
 * Utkarsh Book Depot, Deccan Gymkhana, Near Garware Bridge.
 * The WORD bookshop, Boottee St, Camp.
 * L.Bhagwandas & Co, Shivaji Market, Camp.
 * The WORD bookshop, Boottee St, Camp.
 * L.Bhagwandas & Co, Shivaji Market, Camp.

Food

Electronics
Pune is a technology hub and is home to IT, ITES, and BPO professionals. Pune also has one of the highest densities of Engineers and Management graduates pursuing studies. Sony World, House of Laptops, Croma are electronics chains dishing out the goodies.

Haircut
Being a student town, Pune has a good selection of mid-priced hair salons.

Eat

Pune is undoubtedly a great place to eat. Fergusson College Road and JM Road which runs parallel, are full of budget eateries serving delicious hot food at nominal charges. Almost all restaurants open and close at similar hours. 10AM-11PM is usual. Of course, restaurant bars stay open till at least midnight. Misals are a Pune favourite, if you can stomach the spice in them. They are a tasty meal and a visit to Bedekar Misal or Shree Uphar Gruha is a must. They are in the Peth areas and are famous. Shree Uphar Gruha is at Tulsi Baug. It is a small joint but dishes out tasty Misal and fritters.

For more exotic variety, head out to Koregaon Park. North Main Road is a lane with more than 50 restaurants. It offers a choice of cuisine including Italian, French, Mexican, Thai, Japanese and a variety of local Indian food; there is a restaurant to fit every taste and mood. ABC Farms in Koregaon Park has many restaurants in one place - ideal when you cannot decide before leaving for dinner. Koregaon Park is known as the Restaurant Suburb, and holds a similar status to Pune that Bandra holds to Mumbai.

Drink
Refreshing Indian drinks such as Jal Jeera (a cumin seed drink) and Nimbu Pani (lemon water/soda) are sold on the sidewalk for around ₹5 per glass.

Alcohol is easily available all over town, though most of the bars are in Koregaon Park and upmarket areas. Most bars open in the afternoon and close an hour or two after midnight.

Also check out the major hotel bars such as at the Sheraton Grand, Sagar Plaza, JW Marriott, Deccan Rendezvous and The Westin (see below sleep section).

Tea and coffee
There is no lack of coffee shops in the city. Some of the restaurants listed above serve good coffee or head to a branch of the Barista or Cafe Coffee Day chains, both of which have numerous locations around town. The FC Road and MG Road branches of Barista are Wi-Fi hotspots.

Splurge
Pune has a small but good range of top-end hotels. Prices are generally more than those in the US. A double room tends to be priced at US$200-400 per night. During the lean season, good discounts are available.

Stay safe
Pune is by and large a very safe place. Violent crime is low, although it's important to keep an eye on your belongings in public, as petty theft can occur. Do report any such activity to the police. Keep away from the touts and beggars. At times, on Fergusson Road, JM Road or in touristy places, plain-clothed people may approach you, pretending to be tourists who ran out of money or missed their bus or train, asking for money to buy a ticket to go home or to feed their children (who may be accompanying them). Most likely it is going to be a scam. A polite but firm "No" will suffice to rid them.

Chain-snatching has become the most infamous nuisance. Especially elder women need to be careful. Preventive measures include curbing the desire to wear and flaunt jewellery even in the daytime.

Locals are by and large friendly and mild-mannered, though incidents of mugging have been reported on the outskirts of Pune, especially on highways and desolate stretches. If you face a vehicle breakdown after dark, it's best to stay in the vehicle and phone for help.

Although Pune is generally safe for women, it's advisable not to venture out alone into dark and isolated places. Hiring cabs at night without one or more companions is not recommended. Climbing the surrounding hills alone is tempting but unwise-and this goes for both sexes! Having said that, women can confidently walk the streets or visit the shops/pubs/restaurants in popular residential or commercial areas after sunset.

Driving in Pune is not for the weak-hearted. Like other Indian metros, Pune's vehicle traffic has expanded considerably, and the infrastructure is struggling to keep pace. Lack of discipline especially during overtaking and driving on the wrong side is rampant in the city and on highways. It's common to see rude and impatient drivers at intersections honking away at pedestrians. Enforcement of traffic rules leaves a lot to be desired, unlike Mumbai or other major cities. Road conditions deteriorate especially in heavy traffic areas during monsoon. If you are driving, it's a good idea to drive defensively. Be courteous to fellow motorists and maintain lane discipline. Though the helmet rule is not strictly enforced, it's always a good idea to wear a helmet while riding a two-wheeler. In cars or SUVs, wearing a seatbelt is mandatory.

Respect
Attitudes in Pune are liberal. The city used to be very traditional and conservative, but times have changed. The city is not the conservative small-town of old but now is a much more open-minded developed city.

Phone

 * Pune is well covered by mobile phone networks including Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea & BSNL.
 * The format of a Pune landline number is +91 20-2xxxxxxx (BSNL) / 3xxxxxxx (Reliance) / 4xxxxxxx (Airtel) / 6xxxxxxx (TATA Indicom)
 * To call a Mumbai number, the phone does not require STD. Simply dial 022 followed by the 8-digit number.
 * STD/ISD booths, which are public pay phones are more or less extinct.

Internet
A large number of internet cafes dot the city. Most private internet cafes charge ₹10-25 an hour.

Emergency assistance

 * Police -100
 * Fire -101
 * Ambulance - 102
 * Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (Ambulance) - 108
 * Accident and trauma - 1099

Nearby

Go next

 * Bhimashankar — Wildlife Sanctuary
 * Jejuri — A 49-km drive to the southeast of Pune, this small city's best-known landmark is the Khandoba Temple.
 * Lavasa - Lavasa is a private, planned city being built near Pune. It is stylistically based on the Italian town Portofino, with a street and several buildings bearing the name of that town.
 * Lohgad — 52 km northwest of Pune, this fort's walls and structures are more intact than other, neighboring forts. The fort rests on the top of a hill and is beautiful in the rainy season.
 * Lonavla — the second-most visited hill station in Maharashtra. It is on the way from Pune to Mumbai.
 * Mahabaleshwar — This is the largest hill station in the Sahyadri mountains and is about 115 km southwest of Pune.
 * Malshej Ghat — Amidst the Sahyadri Hills, it is about a 119-km drive from Pune. This beautiful hill station has many scenic vistas and beautiful waterfalls.
 * Mulshi — To the west of Pune lies Munshi, near the town of Lonavala. Mulshi and the surroundings are abundant with natural beauty that includes a dam, the hilly region of Sahyadri's deep forests and forts like Dhangad and Koraigadh. The water from the dam is used for generating electricity.
 * Narayanpur (Purandar Fort) — 40 km southwest of Pune.
 * Nashik — An ancient holy city about 210 km from Pune.
 * Neel Kantheshwar — 35 km from Pune, this hill temple is near the source of the Mutha river. At this hill station are hundreds of statues that describe scenes from Hindu scriptures and Puranas. The scenery offers a view of three major dams from its top.
 * Rajgad — This is a hill fort about 50 km southwest of Pune.
 * Rajmachi (Udhewadi) — This small village is a roughly 78-km drive from Pune, in the rugged mountains of Sahyadri. There are two forts which were built by Shivaji Emperor during the 17th century. In the rainy season there are giant waterfalls and an abundance of greenery. Rajmachi can be reached by 2 ways, the tough route from Kondivade village, near Karjat, and the other easy but long route from Lonavla. It an excellent place for trekking and is about a 15-km hike from Lonavla.
 * Shirdi — Shirdi is a town in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra in India. There are many buses connecting Shirdi to Pune which is 200 km away, about a 5-hour trip. Shirdi is where the saint Sai Baba lived till his samadhi in 1918. Today, it is a pilgrimage center and millions of his devotees from all over the world pay their respects each year.
 * Torna — To reach this fort requires a steep climb. The village Velhe, at the base of the climb, is about 50 km southwest of Pune.
 * Visapur Fort — It is less than 4 km from Lohgad and about 60 km from Pune.

 * Alibag
 * Aakshi
 * Diveagar
 * Harihareshwar
 * Kamshet
 * Kashid
 * Matheran
 * Murud
 * Nagaon
 * Shrivardhan

title: Pune


text:
Pune (district)

Pune is a district of Maharashtra, India. It is considered the heartland of Marathi culture for many reasons, not the least of which is that Pune, the state's cultural capital is there. It has parts of the Western Ghats that run long the western coast and there are multiple hilltop forts in the area.

Cities

 * — the cultural capital of Maharashtra, known as the Oxford of the East with old town, museum and excellent restaurants
 * — a planned city on the Western Ghats, surrounding the Korigad fort
 * —
 * —
 * —

Other destinations

 * —
 * — a major dam site
 * — hill fort southwest of Pune
 * — a major dam site
 * — hill fort southwest of Pune
 * — hill fort southwest of Pune
 * — hill fort southwest of Pune
 * — hill fort southwest of Pune
 * — hill fort southwest of Pune
 * — hill fort southwest of Pune

Ashtavinayak
Ashtavinayak is a collection of 8 auspicious temples in Maharashtra. Pune is the approximate centre of all 8 Ashtavinayak Temples and is the most convenient city to base in though it is also possible to cover these pilgrimage temples from Mumbai, Nashik and other cities in Maharashtra.

 * Morgaon - Mayureshwar or Moreshwar Temple
 * Siddhatek - Siddhi Vinayak Temple
 * Pali - Ballaleshwar Temple
 * Mahad - Varad Vinayak Temple
 * Theur - Shri Chintamani Temple
 * Lenyadri - Girijatmaj Temple
 * Ozar - Vighnahar Temple
 * Ranjangaon - Mahaganapati Temple

Hill forts
A day trip from Pune

Pune - Bhuleshwar - Purandar - Sinhagad - Pune

This round trip takes in some of the interesting hill forts around Pune. Total distance is about 220 km and will take 6 hours just to drive the loop, with lunch and sightseeing added on. The full trip could take up to 12 hours so leave a full day. It is suggested that this trip is undertaken either by motorcycle or 4WD due to the state of some of the roads that are encountered. It is possible to make the journey in a regular car (and many do - even auto ricks) but it will take longer and there will be a heavy toll on the cars suspension. To be as safe as possible you would also want some experience on driving on broken or unsurfaced roads and dealing with the challenges of driving in India.

Leave Pune on the National Highway 9 (Pune Solapur Highway) which passes the racecourse. This is a toll road and also very busy with cars and trucks. If you have taken a motorcycle be very careful.

The turn off to Bhuleshwar is about 35 km from Pune and shortly after the second toll booth (about 2 km before Yavat village). A concrete bridge crosses a canal and the turn off is to the right just before the bridge. There is no sign in English, but there is a sign to Deccan Industrial Explosives pte. After 5 km or so the road will climb into some ghats, where the road becomes quite broken. Once you reach the top of the ghats you will see the temple and a prominent radio mast to the right. The turn to the temple is the next right, the road becomes quite steep at some points.

After visiting the temple and fort (allow 30 to 40 min), return to the road and turn right where you turned off. This road will take you to Saswad (or Sasvad on some maps). There are several turnoffs, keep heading west, but also plenty of people to ask the way, nearly everyone knows Saswad. The scenery is quite flat though enlivened by scenes of Indian rural life. The road is paved but quite rough. You can take lunch when you reach the town.

Thereafter, ask the way for Purandar itself or Nasrapur which is where the road goes. Many people know it. The road is the Diwale to Narayanpur road. In fact the hill itself is easy to spot as it towers above Narayanpur. After 5 km after the turnoff from you will reach a left fork which is signed (not in English). Take this and follow the twisty road to Purandar. As of 2009, the majority of the road was totally unsurfaced (awaiting surfacing) so would be muddy during rain and there is also the possibility of dealing with the resurfacing activity. Allow 30 minutes to enjoy the views and look at the abandoned army buildings and another 1½ hours to climb to the top and explore.

It will take about 15 minutes to regain the main road if you have a motorbike. Turn left when you reach it and enjoy the smooth tarmac and twists of the road as you pass between the two hills. Eventually you will reach National Highway 4 (also a toll road), turn right and again pay attention to the road hazards.

Approximately 12 km later at Khed take a left turn towards Shivapur. Pass through towards Kondapur, where you take a right fork, thereafter at the T-junction take the left which leads to Sinhagad Fort.

In terms of time to spend here it is best to gauge your stamina and enthusiasm against the amount of light you have left, as it is better to end the journey in daylight rather than drive at night.

Retrace your steps to NH4 and then follow this back to Pune. You will arrive in the Bibvewadi area in the south of the city.

 * Bhuleshwar-a very beautiful 1100-year-old hill temple near Yavat in the Saswad region. The patterns and beautiful stone statues inside the temple are stunning. This place is around 60 km via Saswad-the closest and most beautiful route. This place and the surrounding areas of Saswad are praised by one British General, the Duke of Welligton as “one of the best peaceful place in the Deccan plateau and the region of beautiful temples”
 * Nil Kantheshwar

Trekking
Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in Pune offers a thrilling and amazing trekking experience for the nature lovers. This wildlife sanctuary has two trekking trails available Seedi Ghat and Ganpati Ghat, out of these two Ganpati Ghat is a longer and less dangerous trekking path.

title: Pune (district)


text:
Punjab

The Punjab (Gurumukhi Punjabi: ਪੰਜਾਬ; Shahmukhi Punjabi: پنجاب; IPA: [pəɲdʒaːb]) is a populous and prosperous area of the Indian subcontinent.

The name comes from the Persian words panj (five) and āb (water), thus the (land of) five rivers. Four of them – Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej – are tributaries of the mighty Indus and the fifth, the Beas, is a tributary of the Sutlej. The Indus River runs along the western edge of the area, in places forming the border between the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Regions
Today Indian and Pakistan each have a state called Punjab. Each contains a small capital territory that is administered separately.

India
Under the British, what are now the states of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana were also administered as part of Punjab province.

Cities

 * — India's first planned city. It is also the capital of two states of India: Haryana and Punjab
 * — a holy city with the centre of Sikhism, the Golden Temple
 * — a textile hub of Pakistan
 * — the capital city of Pakistan
 * — the capital of the Pakistani Punjab, and Pakistan's cultural capital
 * — an industrial city, sometimes called the Manchester of India

Other destinations
Two of the subcontinent's most important archaeological sites are in the Punjab:
 * — birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
 * – nearby Harappa has important ruins from the Indus Valley Civilisation, around 2000 BCE.
 * – a major trading city and centre of learning in the Gandharan period (about 1000 BCE to 1000 CE).

Understand
Being well-watered and relatively flat, the Punjab has always been one of the more prosperous regions of the subcontinent. It was a province of the Mughal Empire, then the centre of a Sikh Empire, and (after two Anglo-Sikh wars in the 1840s), part of British India.

In 1947, British India was split into two independent countries, India and Pakistan. The British Punjab province was divided along religious lines. India got the eastern part of the province, with the capital being Chandigarh. Pakistan got the western part of the province, with the capital being Lahore.

The Punjab was the birthplace of Sikhism and Sikhism is the majority religion on the Indian side of the Punjab, while Islam is the majority religion on the Pakistani side.

Talk
Punjabi is the main language in the region and widely spoken on both sides of the border. Most educated people on the Indian side of the border speak Hindi as a second language, while those on the Pakistani side of the border speak Urdu.

For the use of English there is wide diversity between different areas of the Punjab. Education is generally high in big cities and a great many residents understand and speak a form of English. You will not have any problem communicating in English in major cities. At most places, most people you will encounter can communicate in broken English at the very least.

Get in
There are six international airports in the Punjab: five in Pakistan and one in India.

The Grand Trunk Road connects the Indian Punjab with the Pakistani Punjab. The road's complete course is from the Bangladeshi city of Chittagong to the Pakistani city of Peshawar.

See
The Punjab is home to many well-known historical sites including the Shalimar Gardens, the Harappa civilisation and the Taxila University. Amritsar is famous for its Golden Temple and the Jallianwala Bagh incident in 1919. Chandigarh is the first planned city of India designed by a Swiss-French architect. Wagah is a town situated at the border of India and Pakistan, which is regularly open for foreigners.

Drink

 * Tea (called chai in both India and Pakistan) is popular throughout the region. It is more popular than coffee.
 * Lassi is a traditional North Indian beverage, made by blending yoghurt with water, salt, and spices until frothy. Traditional lassi is sometimes flavored with ground, roasted cumin. The Lassi is sometimes made with a little milk and is topped with a thin layer of malai, a clotted cream, also known as Devonshire cream. Lassis are enjoyed chilled as a hot-weather refreshment. With a little turmeric powder mixed in, it is also used as a folk remedy for gastroenteritis.

Stay safe
The people of the Punjab are hospitable. Punjabi people are usually kind at heart. You will most likely not feel threatened while you are there, but take the usual precautions. Especially in Pakistan, they tend to welcome foreigners very warmly.

Go next

 * India — A country of ancient and rich cultural heritage with the Himalayan Mountains in the north, Thar Desert in the west and the Indian Ocean in the south.
 * Pakistan — Rich in culture and history, varying climates and terrains from hot deserts to snowy mountains, and home of 5 of only 14 8,000-metre mountains on earth.

title: Punjab


text:
Punjab (India)

Punjab (Punjabi: ਪੰਜਾਬ Pañjāb) is a state in Northwestern India, bordering Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir to the northeast and north respectively, and Chandigarh, Haryana and Rajasthan to the southeast, south and southwest respectively.

Cities

 * — India's first planned city. It is also the capital of both Haryana and Punjab
 * — a holy city with the centre of Sikhism, the Golden Temple
 * — an industrial centre
 * — the former capital city of the Kapurthala State. It has British and French influences from the British Raj.
 * — an industrial city, sometimes called the Manchester of India. It is also the most populous.
 * — a city in the state of Punjab in India. City for those interested in history, culture and religion
 * — a satellite city of Chandigarh with interesting local temples
 * — municipal corporation in Punjab. Also, capital of the Pathankot district
 * — a city with a rich cultural heritage

Other destinations

 * — this has a diversity of wetland animals and plants. It was Harike Pattan Bird Sanctuary and is known for its many species of migratory birds. It is habitat for several endangered species such as the Testudines Turtle and Smooth Indian Otter.

Understand

The name Punjab (puhny-jahb) was introduced by the Mughals in the 17th century CE and is a combination of the Persian words panj (five) and āb (water), thus the (land of) five rivers.

Punjab is the only state in India where Sikhism is the dominant religion. The holiest of Sikh shrines, the Golden Temple, is located in Amritsar. Hinduism is the second largest religion and Hindu temples can be found in almost every city. There are also smaller groups of Muslims, Jains, and Christians.

During the partition, Punjab was divided along religious lines. Consequently, the western portion became a part of Pakistan, and the remainder became a part of India. Haryana was originally a part of the state, but due to linguistic and religious tensions, Haryana ended up becoming a separate state.

From the 1970s to the early 1990s, the state experienced a bloody insurgent movement in which extremist Sikh leaders and militants sought to create a Sikh-majority state, Khalistan. The tensions and violence stemming from the insurgent movement culminated in numerous tragic events such as the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the anti-Sikh riots (in which thousands of Sikhs were murdered). Although the insurgent movement has since died down, the horrors of what happened during the insurgency are still fresh in people's minds.

Talk
The official language of the state is Punjabi.

Hindi and English are commonly spoken, especially in major cities such as Amritsar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Patiala, Jalandhar.

By plane
Amritsar has an international airport, the Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, which is open 24 hours.

By train
Punjab is well connected with other major cities of India: Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Ferozepur are major junctions of Indian Northern Railways.

By car
One of the best ways to get around. You can rent a car, but taxis are cheaper. It is safest to hire an experienced driver. Like most of India, navigating traffic in Punjab can be a hair-raising experience. Taxis usually don't have a problem driving to wherever you want within the district. It is common to see the owner of the car sitting in the back with a driver driving the car.

By two-wheeler
The most popular mode of transport.

By autorickshaw
An auto rickshaw, or auto or rickshaw or tempo in popular parlance, is a three wheeled vehicle for hire. They typically have no doors or seat belts. Generally yellow or green in colour and have a black or green canopy on the top. An auto rickshaw is generally characterized by a tin/iron body resting on three small wheels, a small cabin for the driver in the front and seating for three in the rear. Hiring an auto often involves bargaining with the driver.

By bus
Available in most towns in Punjab. They go all over the country. The bus service has improved considerably in last 2-3 years with introduction of deluxe and air-conditioned buses. Main entry routes are from Delhi via Ambala or via Delhi-Jind-Sangrur or Delhi-Hissar-Bathinda sections. NH44 (formerly NH 1) runs from Delhi to Panipat and on to Ambala.

See

 * Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar
 * Golden Temple, Amritsar.
 * The Royal Punjabi Palaces and monuments of Patiala.
 * Purana Quilla in Bathinda.
 * Wagha Border. Between Amritsar, Punjab, India and Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
 * Bhakra Nangal Dam across the Sutlej River. Bilaspur_(Himachal_Pradesh)
 * Mehdiana Sahib Gurudwara outside Manuke near Jagraon
 * The Gurudwaras and historic monuments at Anandpur Sahib.
 * Hussaini Wala Border, Firozpur.
 * Chandigarh, the modern city designed by French architect Le Corbusier.
 * The Royal Palaces of Faridkot.
 * Historic monuments in Fatehgarh Saheb, Chamkaur Saheb and Sirhind, which saw a lot of action during Guru Gobind Singh's time as the 10th Guru of Sikhism.
 * Historic monuments in Nabha and Sangrur.
 * Ancient Fort at Bathinda, in Bathinda.
 * The Gurudwara Bhabour Sahib, a Sikh place of worship, as well as several other holy places and an Ashram are located at Nangal.
 * Shahpur Kandi fort and Madhopur headworks near Pathankot.
 * Ancient Buddhist and Hindu archeological sites at Sanghol in Fatehgarh Sahib and Dholbaha in Hoshiarpur district respectively.
 * Indus Valley civilization site at Ropar
 * Gurdwara Nanaksar and Gurdwara Mehdiana Sahib at Jagraon

Museums

 * Amritsar, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum
 * Angol Sikh War Memorial, Ferozeshah
 * Little Villages.
 * Govt. Museum Hoshiarpur
 * Sports Museum, National Institute of Sports, Patiala
 * Sanghol Museum
 * Art Gallery at Sheesh Mahal
 * Qila Mubarak Patiala, Museum of Armoury & Chaneliers
 * Guru Teg Bahadur Museum

Do
Tourism is principally suited for those interested in culture, ancient civilization, spirituality, and epic history. Punjab has a rich history incorporating Sikhism and Hinduism. Punjab is home to the celebrated Punjabi culture, royal palaces, historic battles, shrines, temples and examples of Sikh Architecture.

Some of the smaller country towns are also a must for the person who wants to see the true Punjab, with their traditional homes, monuments, temples, farms, and everyday life.

 * Visit the Golden Temple.
 * Visit the Wagah Border.
 * Visit the little towns.

Buy
Markets here are a shopper's haven, but only if you're not afraid to haggle and bump elbows in bazaars. Western-style malls and shopping emporia are creeping in on the outskirts, but there's little Indian about these sanitized shopping experiences, or the goods in them. Until a few years back, all shops closed on Sunday; while rules have been relaxed, many districts are still mostly shuttered.

Punjabi Jutti There is a wide variety of juttis (pronounced 'jeut-tii' in Punjabi or 'jeu-tea' in Hindi/Urdu) available for both men and women. They are usually made of fine leather and are delicately embroidered with threads or beads. Juttis are slip-on in style and are characterized by rising high to the Achilles' tendon in the back and covering the toes with a round or M-shaped heavily-embroidered upper shoe and leaving the top of the foot nearly bare. Some of them are hand-made and have been embroidered beautifully.

While credit cards are commonly accepted, you can not use them to pay at small street side shops. So you need to keep some cash handy. ATMs are available everywhere, so if you have an Indian bank account or credit card, you don't need to carry too much cash either. If you are a foreigner, it is a good idea to carry some cash to avoid charges while using your credit or debit card.

Keep some money in a different currency as well, You will find in some places giving a US$10 note will change how fast things move.

Foreigners will have to be very careful, as all these stores are road-side stalls. What may seem a good price that the person has quoted to you, it will actually be a rip off. Do not settle for anything more than one-fourth the quoted price. If they refuse a price just walk away, and they will call you back quoting a lower price. Normally, the more you buy, the less you will have to pay for each individual item.

Work
You might be able to find a job in a local call centre or fast food restaurant. In particular, jobs for English-speakers are plentiful in Chandigarh.

Eat
While it is widely popular, there is a misconception in some Western countries that Punjabi cuisine is completely curry-based. One of the main features of Punjabi cuisine is its diverse range of dishes, whose level of spiciness can vary from minimal to very high. Home-cooked and restaurant-made Punjabi cuisine can vary significantly. Restaurant-style cooking uses large amounts of clarified butter, known locally as desi ghee, while home cooking is done with liberal amounts of butter and cream, and concentrates mainly upon masalas (blends of spices). There are also different regional preferences. For example, people in the area of Amritsar prefer stuffed parathas and milk products. The area is well known for the quality of its milk products. There are certain dishes which are exclusive to Punjab, such as mah di dal and saron da saag.

Punjabi cuisine can be non-vegetarian or completely vegetarian. Due to Sikh and Hindu religious beliefs, beef is a banned item, neither consumed nor sold in Punjab.

There are a variety of pulse, bean and/or lentil preparations that one should try. Common preparation generally includes being soaked overnight, or for at least 8 hours, and then gently simmered on the embers of a tandoor along with ginger, garlic and a few other garam masala (whole spices like cardamom, coriander, cumin, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, mace, and bay leaf). These are then combined with a tangy masala base which could include tomato or dried mango (aamchur powder) or even pomegranate seeds (anar dana). The typical character of the bean or whole lentil preparation is that the shape of the vegetable remains intact, but the gentlest pressure would make it into a paste. Dollops of cream and butter are sometimes provided for a rich, finishing touch. Garnishing is usually done with shredded coriander leaves and ginger.

Savoury foods
Some very popular Punjabi foods should not be missed. These include:
 * Samosas - A fried or baked pastry with savory filling.
 * Kulcha with Pindi Chhole - A famous breakfast in Punjab, especially in Amritsar. Kulcha is a flatbread baked in tandoor oven and served with chickpeas.
 * Murgh Makhani - Butter chicken.
 * Chicken tikka
 * Shahi paneer - Indian cheese
 * Tandoori chicken or fish - Meat, traditionally roasted in a tandoor, that has been covered in a yoghurt and spice marinade.
 * Paneer pakora - Indian-style cheese fritters
 * Pakoras - Fried snacks that come in a variety of flavors and ingredients.

Punjabi breads are generally flat breads; only a few varieties are raised breads. The breads may be made of different types of flour and can be made in various ways such as being baked in a tandoor, dry baked on a tava, shallow fried, or deep fried.

The tandoor also allows for tasty chicken and meat preparations. Some that you might be familiar with include seekh kebab, tandoori chicken, reshmi tikka and malai tikka.

Desserts
Sweet desserts are popular. They are given out on birthdays and other special events. Some popular ones include:
 * Jalabee - Wheat batter that is shaped into pretzel or circle form, fried and soaked in syrup.
 * Gulab jamun - A prepared milk solids dessert, often mixed with spices, rolled into a ball and fried at low heat. Commonly soaked in a sweet syrup with spices and garnished with nuts or fruit.
 * Kulfi - A milk dessert similar to ice cream.
 * Kheer - Rice pudding flavoured with spices and often also with nuts.

The sheer variety of Punjabi cuisine makes it difficult to create a comprehensive guide. If you see or smell something that seems good, do not hesitate to try it; you are unlikely to be disappointed.

Fast food chains
There are fast food restaurants in almost every city. McDonald's, Subway, Pizza Hut, Domino's, KFC and many others can be found. There are also many Indian fast food shops catering to Western-style food. However, you won't find any hamburgers, as no restaurant in Punjab serves beef.

Drink
Drinks found in Punjab are the same as the ones throughout India, but often have a Punjabi twist to them.

 * Chai is an Indian Tea. It is more popular than coffee, and street vendors called "chai wallahs" (sometimes spelled "chaiwalas") are a common sight in many Punjabi neighborhoods.
 * Lassi is a traditional North Indian beverage, made by blending yoghurt with water, salt, and spices until frothy. Traditional lassi is sometimes flavored with ground, roasted cumin. The Lassi is sometimes made with a little milk and is topped with a thin layer of malai, a clotted cream, also known as Devonshire cream. Lassis are enjoyed chilled as a hot-weather refreshment. With a little turmeric powder mixed in, it is also used as a folk remedy for gastroenteritis.
 * Sharbat is a popular Middle Eastern and South Asian "juice" that is prepared from fruits or flower petals. It is sweet and served chilled. It can be in concentrate form and eaten with a spoon or mixed with water to create a drink. It was popularised by the Mughal rulers, one of whom sent for frequent loads of ice from the Himalayas to get a cool refreshing drink.
 * Desi Daroo, also known in different parts of the country under other names. It is made by fermenting the mash of sugar cane pulp in large spherical containers made of terra cotta, and nearly 100% alcohol. However, it is a dangerous drink, mainly because of the risk of alcohol or copper formaldehyde poisoning.
 * Coffee, also known as Madras filter coffee or kaapi, is a sweet milky coffee made from dark roasted coffee beans and chicory. The most commonly used coffee beans are peaberry (preferred), Arabica, Malabar and robusta grown in the hills of Kerala (Malabar region), Karnataka (Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru) and Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris District).
 * There are many types of liquor and beer available at most restaurants. Imported brands are also available in some of the higher-class restaurants but the price is much steeper. There are also some liquors and beers available locally that are of very poor quality. These are usually distinguished by the price: you'll get what you pay for. You can expect to pay up to 3 or 5 times the price of local liquors for IMFL. Usually, only a select few imports are available and Johnnie Walker is usually one of them. If you are taking a gift for people who you know drink and won't be offended, then bringing some kind of Scotch whisky is a good idea.

Cope
Power outages and water shortages happen not just every day, but often several times on the same day, with summers especially bad. Better places have water tanks and generators to alleviate the pain, but keep a flashlight handy at night and do your part by not wasting too much water.

 * Laundry service is offered in most hotels, even budget accommodations. If you would rather save the money and do it yourself, buckets are found in almost all bathrooms - but perhaps rinse it out well first.
 * Exercising outdoors is not recommended due to the high level of pollution and swimming in rivers is also not recommended. You'll want to look for a hotel with a gym or a pool (many offer day passes). Alternatively, an evening/morning walk can be taken in the parks.

Newspapers
There are many different daily newspapers. The following are in English:

 * The Tribune - Punjab's oldest newspaper
 * The Indian Express - National daily published in Chandigarh.
 * Hindustan Times - National daily published in Chandigarh.
 * The Times of India - National daily. Sub-Circulatories: The Times Of Chandigarh, The Economic Times, The Business Times
 * The Pioneer- National daily published in Chandigarh.
 * Business Line- Business daily newspaper.

Stay safe
Make sure you pay attention to your surroundings. Pickpocketing is common in some parts. Put your wallet in your front pocket; don't carry a lot of things at one time; don't carry original copies of passports, visas, etc. Try not to use the ₹1000 and ₹500 notes, especially not in smaller shops. Many shops, except the big retails chains, don't accept credit and debit card so have some cash handy.

To be on the safe side, avoid being in crowded places and getting stuck in protests or rallies. Try to walk in groups especially at night or in isolated areas.

Be wary of the traffic; don't assume; be very careful on the road.

Public displays of affection are not usually tolerated, especially non-straight. Bribing the police is not recommended although is a common practice as power, bureaucracy, and corruption are rooted deep in the overall government structure.

Respect
Local politics are complex - very complex. Although the vast majority of people simply want harmony and peace, some Sikh political parties believe that religion and politics should go hand in hand. There's also a small section of people who believe that Punjab should be a fully autonomous area for Sikhs. Be mindful of this all when having a political conversation - You never know who might be listening or eavesdropping.

Approach subjects such as the Punjab Insurgency and the anti-Sikh riots with caution and respect. Although the worst of the insurgency has since gone away, a lot of people lost their loved ones during the anti-Sikh riots and constantly express frustration at the government for failing to prosecute those who were personally involved in the incident.

Jarnail Bhidranwale is a controversial person to discuss. In some circles (particularly among radical Sikh groups), people may be offended by the suggestion that he was a terrorist or a separatist.

Names
Sikh names follow this pattern: given name + religious name + surname. For males, the religious name is "Singh", and for females, the religious name is "Kaur".

Connect

 * Prefix +91 If you are calling from outside India, each city has a separate 3-4 digit area code. Phone numbers are seven digits long but on occasion you will find a six digit number listed. That is probably an old listing. They made the changeover from six to seven digits a few years back, when they allowed private service providers to offer telephony. Just add a "2" to the old number and it should work just fine, however if that does not work try prefixing "5". All mobile numbers, however are 10 digits long and begin with "9", and should not be dialed with the city prefix. If you don't get through to a mobile number, try adding a "0" or "+91" before you dial it.
 * Phone booths can be found all over the State. Though they are coin operated, there is usually someone to run the place. (Typically the phones are attached to a roadside shop) You need to keep putting ₹1 coins into the slot to extend the talk time, so keep a change of ₹1 coins handy with you. The person running the booth will usually have them. If you find a booth marked STD/ISD, you can call internationally or anywhere within the country. Fees will be charged according to the time spent and a meter runs to keep track of your time. You pay when you have finished your call. Often it is difficult to find one that is open early in the morning or late at night.
 * Cell phone coverage in the state is excellent. There are many service providers offering a wide variety of prepaid and postpaid plans. Among them are Airtel and Vodafone Essar. There are many other companies as well, these are just the main ones used. Majority of the networks are GSM so if you have a cell phone you bring with you, chances are it will run on this network. Some companies like Reliance Mobile, TATA Indicom offer CDMA networks also, but usually they insist that you but the CDMA handset from them only.
 * Cybercafes are located at virtually every street corner and the rates are quite low. Just keep in mind that they have probably not kept pace with advances in hardware or software, so if you find yourself in one of them, don't be surprised if you are stuck with a really small monitor, Windows 98 and IE 5.0. Also data security is an issue. Change your password after you use it at a cybercafe.

title: Punjab (India)


text:
Punjab (Pakistan)

Punjab (Punjabi/Urdu: پنجاب) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan, and home to over half the country's population. It is the second largest province in area after Balochistan, and is the most developed and prosperous province. It is the only province that touches every other province of Pakistan.

Cities

 * — the capital of Pakistan
 * — the provincial capital, and Pakistan's cultural capital
 * — home to one of the few natural safari parks in Pakistan, Lal Suhanra National Park
 * — a textile hub of Pakistan
 * - Holy place of Sikhism
 * — a must stop for tourists, most famous for its wonderful mangoes, friendly people and pottery, also lots of tombs and beautiful mosques
 * — military headquarters
 * — home of the main Pakistan Air Force base
 * — famous for its sports and leather industry

Other destinations

 * – the world's second largest salt mine & a tourist complex
 * Nur Mahal in Bahawalpur
 * – Indus Valley Civilization
 * – Gandhara civilization
 * Takht-i-Bahi – Buddhist monastery
 * – Sikh holy site
 * – Sikh holy site
 * – Sikh holy site
 * – Sikh holy site

Understand
The name Punjab was introduced by the Mughals in the 17th century CE and is a combination of the Persian words panj (five) and āb (water), thus the (land of) five rivers.

During the partition, Punjab was divided along religious lines. Consequently, the western portion became a part of Pakistan, and the remainder became a part of India.

Punjab is Pakistan's second largest province, and the country's most industrialised province. It borders all of the provinces in Pakistan, and half the population of Pakistan lives here, making it one of the most populous subdivisions in the world.

Strongly influenced by Sufism, the state is also home to numerous holy Hindu and Sikh sites, some of which (e.g. Katasraj Temple) feature prominently in mythology. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born in Nankana Sahib, a small town near the capital city, Lahore. Several important UNESCO world heritage sites are located here.

Virtually all residents of the province are Muslim, although there is a large group of Christians. Many of the country's Christians live here. Other religious minorities include Hindus, Sikhs, and Ahmadiyyas.

Talk
The official language of the province is Punjabi and is a first language to most people. The variant of Punjabi here uses a modified version of the Perso-Arabic script (known as Shahmukhi). If you know how to read and write Persian and/or Urdu, familiarising yourself with Shahmukhi should be a cakewalk.

Although Punjabi is the official language, some people fear that Punjabi is gradually becoming obsolete due to the dominance of Urdu and English. As in any other place, making an attempt to learn a few words, or speak the language, will go a long way and will most certainly endear you to the locals.

As in most places throughout Pakistan, Urdu and English are understood in urban areas. You should not have any problems getting by using only English.

In the south, Seraiki is the main language.

Get in
Lahore and Islamabad have direct flights to numerous international destinations across Asia, the Greater Middle East and Europe. There are buses and trains between Delhi and Lahore. From Kashgar, China, you can travel by road via the Karakoram Highway up to Gilgit for about US$50 and from Gilgit there are direct buses to Islamabad for about US$5 but 17 hours of journey on harrowingly winding roads.

By plane
Lahore, Islamabad and Sialkot are the main gateways to Outer Punjab by air. However, there are 134 airfields in Pakistan.

 * Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore has a terminal for international arrivals and departures. Many airlines  operate to the airport including Emirates, Etihad Airways, Mahan Air, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Singapore Airlines, Pakistan International (PIA), Saudi Arabian Airlines, Thai Airways, Kuwait Airways, Uzbekistan Airways and over four private airlines from Pakistan.
 * Benazir Bhutto International Airport There are many airlines operating into Islamabad including many of the above with Ariana Afghan Airlines, British Airways and China Southern Airlines. The only problem is that the airport is also used by Government officials and for arrivals from foreign diplomats so the airport may shut down as security is increased so flights are delayed.
 * New Islamabad International Airport - opened May 2018.

By train
Punjab has train links with its neighbour the Republic of India to the east. The Samjhauta Express is the more common, running on Tuesdays and Fridays between Delhi and Lahore via the Attari/Wagah border crossing. After terrorist attacks on the train, which caused many a casualty and strained relationships between the two neighbors, it is strongly advised that you take taxis or buses to and from the border instead.

By car
From ancient times people have been travelling through Punjab using the Grand Trunk Road that runs through Pakistan and into India. It is a rewarding but time-consuming way to see this part of the world. New highways have been developed and the country is due for an expansion in its highway network. A world-class motorway connects the cities of Lahore, Islamabad and Faisalabad

Punjab is connected to China through the Karakoram Highway, a modern feat of engineering that traverses a remarkably scenic route through the Karakoram and Himalayan mountains. Which is about to be expanded from current 10-m wide to 30-m because of the increase in trade traffic due to Gwadar port opening.

By bus
From India: While there is international service running to Lahore from Delhi it is just as fast, much more flexible, and much cheaper to take the journey by stringing together local transport and crossing the Wagah border on foot.

From China: While there is international service running to Islamabad from Kashgar it is just as fast, much more flexible, and much cheaper to take the journey by stringing together local transport and crossing the border on foot.

Get around
The Grand Trunk Road runs through Punjab, but it's a slow road. New highways have been developed and the country is due for an expansion in its highway network. A world-class motorway connects the cities of Lahore, Islamabad and Faisalabad.

See
The province is home to many well-known historical sites including the Shalimar Gardens, the Badshahi Mosque, and the ruins of the ancient city of Harrapa. The Anarkali Market and Jahangir's Tomb are prominent in the city of Lahore as is the Lahore Museum, while the ancient city of Taxila in the northwest was once a major centre of Buddhism. Many important Sikh shrines are in the Pakistani portion of Punjab, including the birthplace of the first Guru: Guru Nanak (born at Nankana Sahib), you can visit the Wagah border parade it is called the beating retreat ceremony between the IBSF and the Pakistani Rangers. There is also the largest salt mine in Asia situated the Khewra Salt Mines.

Eat
What to eat in Punjab, Pakistan - Popular Punjabi Cuisine:

Punjab is one of Pakistan's most cosmopolitan and culturally rich provinces, and it is well known for its delectable and varied food. You should sample some of the popular meals in Punjab, Pakistan, including:

 * Makki ki roti and Sarson ka saag - This is a staple dish made from corn flour bread and a thick, flavorful mustard greens sauce.

 * Chana Masala - Chickpeas cooked in a rich, flavorful sauce made with spices, tomato, and onion.
 * Butter chicken - A popular North Indian dish made with tender, juicy chicken cooked in a creamy tomato-based sauce.
 * Tandoori chicken - Chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, then grilled in a traditional clay oven called a tandoor.
 * Amritsari kulcha - A type of Indian bread that is stuffed with vegetables or paneer (cottage cheese) and cooked in a tandoor
 * Biryani - A fragrant and flavorful rice dish cooked with spices, meat, and vegetables.
 * Aloo Gobi - A dish made from potatoes and cauliflower cooked in a spicy tomato-based sauce.
 * Lahori fried fish - Fried fish seasoned with spices and served with tangy chutney, a staple food in Lahore.

These are only a handful of the mouthwatering foods you may sample in Punjab, Pakistan. Enjoy your gastronomic exploration!

Drink

 * Tea (or Chai as it is referred to in Pakistan) is popular throughout the country.
 * Both black and green tea (Sabz chai or qahvah) are common and are traditionally drunk with cardamom and lots of sugar. Lemon is optional but recommended with green tea.
 * Kashmiri chai is a milky tea with almonds and nuts added to give additional flavour. This tea is very popular during weddings and in the cold season.
 * Coffee is also available in all major cities.

In the warmer southern region, sweet drinks are readily available throughout the day. Look for street vendors that have fruits (real or decorations) hanging from their roofs. Also, some milk/yogurt shops serve lassi. Ask for meethi lassi for a sweet yogurt drink and you can also get a salty lassi which tastes good if you are having "bhindi" in food or some other rich dish. There is also a sweet drink called Mango Lassi which is very rich and thick, made with yogurt, mango pulp, and pieces of mango.

Drink sealed bottled water, not the water from local taps. Water from local taps will be infected and it is highly likely you will end up ill.

Stay safe
The people of Punjab are hospitable. They tend to welcome any foreigner very warmly.

For your own safety it is strongly recommended not to attend any rallies, protests or religious gatherings. Otherwise, Punjab is generally safe but crime exists in big cities. In an emergency, call police by 15 from any landline phone. To get an ambulance, dial 115 from any landline or mobile phone. If you find yourself in serious trouble and need any type of emergency rescue or help, dial 1122.

Go next

 * Azad Kashmir
 * Gilgit-Baltistan

title: Punjab (Pakistan)


text:
Punjabi phrasebook

Punjabi/Panjabi (Pakistan: پنجابی; India: ਪੰਜਾਬੀ) is the language of the Punjab/Panjab regions of Pakistan and India. In India, it is written predominantly in the native Gurmukhi alphabet. In Pakistan, it is written in a slightly modified version of the Urdu alphabet called Shahmukhi.

Gurmukhi
Gurmukhi is an Indic script predominantly used in present-day Punjab, India

ਵਿਅੰਜਨ (Vi'anjan) Consonants
The Gurmukhi script is also called “Painti” (ਪੈਂਤੀ) because historically, it had a total of 35 letters. (In Punjabi, the number 35 is called “painti”). These 35 base letters are divided into seven rows and each row has five characters. 6 additional letters that are used to differentiate borrowed words from other languages. The first three letters of the script, ੳ, ਅ and ੲ, are vowel letters. Only ਅ (“a”) can be used alone in a word without any vowel accents. The other two vowel letters, ੳ (“u”) and ੲ (“e”), must always be used with a vowel accent. The original 35

Additional 6 new letters used for borrowed words from Persian and other foreign languages: They are created by placing a dot ਬਿੰਦੀ (bindī) at the foot of the consonant. These dot symbol at the bottom of the consonants represent borrowed sound of foreign words.

ਲਗਾਂ ਮਾਤਰਾ (lagān mātarā) Vowels
There are 10 vowels in Gurmukhi script. Independent vowels are constructed using three bearer characters: ūṛā (ੳ), aiṛā (ਅ) and īṛī (ੲ). With the exception of aiṛā (which represents the vowel [ə]), the bearer consonants are never used without additional vowel signs.

Shahmukhi
Western Punjabi is based on the Shahmukhi script. Shahmukhi uses the alphabets of the Perso-Arabic Urdu script with some extra characters added. Here are the 36 letters of Shahmukhi. Each has a name that is given below the alphabet with the equivalent English sound of the alphabet in (parenthesis).

For pronunciation and use of an individual alphabet, click on the specific alphabet in the table below. Remember that Punjabi in Pakistan is a right-to-left language so you have to start reading from right, right!

Phrase list

 * There are many dialects of Punjabi throughout India and Pakistan, and these phrases may differ from area to area, but here are the phrases in standard Punjabi:

Basics
Note: Typically, religious salutations are used as there are no specific greetings that are shared among Muslim, Hindu and Sikh Punjabi-speakers.

 * Sikh : if they are baptized ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਫਤਹਿ ( Waheguru Jee Ka Khalsa Waheguru Jee Ki Fateh) is used.
 * Muslim : Asalaam-walaykum is replied by Walaykum-salaam

Numerals/Numbers ਗਿਣਤੀ (Giṇtī)
Punjabi has its own set of digits, which function exactly as in other versions of the Hindu–Arabic numeral system. These are used extensively in older texts. In modern contexts, they are sometimes replaced by standard Western Arabic numerals. (Gurmukhi numbers are in parentheses)
 * number _____ (train, bus, etc.) : (ਰੇਲ, ਬੱਸ, ) ਨੰਬਰ _____ (rēl, bas,)''numbar _____
 * half : ਅੱਧਾ (Adhā)
 * less : ਘੱਟ (Ghaṭ)
 * more : ਹੋਰ (Hōr)

Date and Time (Mitī atē samān ਮਿਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਸਮਾਂ)
Date is called "mitee" ਮਿਤੀ and is written in the 00-MM-YYYY and 00/MMNYYY format. Time is also called waqt / vela / sama (ਵਕਤ / ਵੇਲਾ / ਸਮਾਂ) in the Punjabi language and is usually denoted by seconds, minutes, and hours. The 12-hour notation is widely used in daily life, written communication, and is used in spoken language. The 24-hour notation is used in rare situations where there would be widespread ambiguity. Examples include railway timetables, plane departure and landing timings. A colon is used to separate hours, minutes and seconds (for example 10:00:15).

What time is it?
What time is it? can be asked in few ways. ਕਿੰਨੇ ਵਜੇ? (Kinē vaje), ਕੀ ਵਕਤ / ਵੇਲਾ / ਸਮਾਂ ਹੋਇਆ? (ki waqt / vela / sama hoya?), ਸਮਾਂ ਕੀ ਆ? (Samā ki aa)

Vernacular Punjabi uses some specific words which are widely used in the countryside, many folks in the cities either don't know it or don't use it.
 * early morning (4-6am) : ਸਾਝਰੇ or ਤੜਕੇ (Sajhre / tadke)
 * around 5pm : ਲੌਢੇ ਵੇਲਾ (Laudhe Vela)
 * Evening : ਤਕਾਲਾਂ (takalan)
 * late : ਕੁਵੇਲਾ (Kuvela)

Duration (miaad ਮਿਆਦ )
Duration of time in Punjabi.

 * _____ second(s) : _____ ਸਕਿੰਟ (sakint)
 * _____ minute(s) : _____ ਮਿੰਟ(mint)
 * _____ hour(s) : _____ ਘੰਟਾ (ghunta (singular), _____ਘੰਟੇ (Ghanṭē (plural)
 * _____ day(s) : _____ ਦਿਨ (din)
 * _____ week(s) : _____ ਹਫਤਾ (_____ hafta (singular), _____ਹਫ਼ਤੇ (Hafatē (plural)
 * _____ month(s) : _____ ਮਹਿਨਾ (maheena (singular) _____ਮਹੀਨੇ (Mahīnē (plural)
 * _____ year(s) : _____ ਸਾਲ (saal)

Days ਦਿਨ
Depending on context/tense these words are understood by native speaker.
 * Yesterday / tomorrow: both have same word ਕੱਲ੍ਹ (Kal'h), the meaning is understood in the sentence.
 * Day after tomorrow / day before yesterday: both have same word ਪਰਸੋਂ (Parsōṅ) the meaning is understood in the sentence.

Months ਮਹੀਨੇ / ਮਾਹ (Mahīnē / Maah)
The Western (Gregorian) calendar is used for day to day and business affairs.

Bus and train (Bas atē rēlgad'ḍī ਬੱਸ ਅਤੇ ਰੇਲਗੱਡੀ)
Gender ending is always either masculine -a or feminine -ī.
 * Gender of speaker: Certain words have different endings depending on your gender. If you are a man, say these with an -a suffix, and if you're a woman, -ī suffix. Example: - I want to rent a car. ਮੈਂ ਇੱਕ ਕਾਰ ਕਿਰਾਏ ਤੇ ਲੈਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ(male) / ਚਾਹੁੰਦੀ(female) ਹਾਂ। (...Main ek car kiraye te laiṇā chāhun'dā(male) / chāhun'dī(female) hān)
 * Gender of things: Certain things are either masculine or feminine. they have different endings depending on the gender, for masculine things ending -a suffix, for feminine things ending -ī suffix. this will only come with the usage and practice of Punjabi language. Example: - 1) That's too expensive. ਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਹਿੰਗਾ(masculine) / ਮਹਿੰਗੀ(feminine) ਹੈ (eh tan bahut mehnga (masculine)/ mehngi (feminine) hai). 2) How much is this? ਇਹ ਕਿੱਨੇ ਦਾ(masculine) /ਦੀ(feminine) ਹੈ? (ih kinnē dā (masculine) / di (feminine) hai?)

Directions

 * How do I get to _____? : (_____pohnchan da kee tareeka hai?)
 * ...the train station? : (...railway staition)
 * ...the bus station? : (...bus adde)
 * ...the airport? : (...airport)
 * ...downtown? : (...main shehr)
 * ...the youth hostel? : (...youth hostel)
 * ...the _____ hotel? : (_____hotel)
 * ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : (...amreeki/kanedian/aastrelian/bartaanvi dootghar?)
 * Where are there a lot of... : (dher saare...kithe ne?)
 * ...hotels? : (...hotel?)
 * ...restaurants? : (...restaurant?)
 * ...bars? : (...bar?)
 * ...sites to see? : (...selaaniyan laee vekhan valiyan thaanvaan?)
 * Can you show me on the map? : (Tusi menoo nakshe te vikhaa deo)
 * street : (gali..)
 * Turn left. : (...khabbe jaao)
 * Turn right. : (...sajje jaao)
 * left : (...khabbe)
 * right : (...sajje)
 * straight ahead : (...sidha)
 * towards the _____ : (_____waale paasse)
 * past the _____ : (_____langh ke)
 * before the _____ : (_____ton pehle)
 * Watch for the _____. : (_____vaste dhiaan dena)
 * intersection : (chaunk)
 * north : (uttar vaale paasse)
 * south : (dakhan vaale paasse)
 * east : (poorab/charhde paasse)
 * west : (pachham/lehnde paasse)
 * Go uphill. : (utte jaao/charhayi charho)
 * Go downhill. : (thalle jao/)
 * It is uphill. : (oh utte vall noon hai)
 * It is downhill. : (oh thalle vall noon hai)

Taxi

 * Taxi! : (Taxi!)
 * Take me to _____, please. : (menoo lai jaao)
 * How much does it cost to get to _____? : (_____jaan de kinne paise laggan gay?)
 * Take me there, please. : (menoo othe lai jaao)

Lodging

 * Do you have any rooms available? : (Tuhaade kol koi kamra khaali hai?)
 * How much is a room for one person/two people? : (ikk bande/do bandeyan de vaste kamre laee kinne paise laggan gay)
 * Does the room come with ... : (Kee kamre vich...hai)
 * bed sheets? : (bed diyaan chaadran?)
 * a bathroom? : (gusal-khaana?)
 * a telephone? : (telephone)
 * a TV? : (TV)
 * May I see the room first? : (Main pehle kamra vekhna chaunna (male speech)/chaunni (female speech) haan)
 * Do you have anything... : (Kee tuhaade kol es ton...)
 * quieter? : (ghatt shor vaala)
 * bigger? : (vadda)
 * cleaner? : (saaf)
 * cheaper? : (sasta)
 * OK, I'll take it. : (Theek hai main eh lai lainna (male speech)/lainni (female speech) haan
 * I will stay for _____ night(s). : (Main_____raatan laee rahaan ga(male)/gee(female))
 * Can you suggest another hotel? : (Tusi kise hor hotel baare dass sakde o?)
 * Do you have (a) ...? ; (Kee tuhaade kol...)
 * safe? : (paise rakhan vaala dabba?)
 * lockers? : (laaker)
 * Is breakfast/supper included? : (Kee naashta/raat da khana ehde vich shaamal hai?)
 * Please clean my room. : (Please mera kamra saaf kar deo)
 * Can you wake me at _____? : (Tusi menoo_____vaje jaga dena)
 * I want to check out. : (Main paise dena chaunna(male)/chaunni(female) haan)

Money

 * Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : (Kee tusi Amreekan/Australian/Canadain daaler lai lainde o?)
 * Do you accept British pounds? : (Kee tusi bartaanvi pound lai lainde o?)
 * Do you accept credit cards? : (Kee tusi credit card lai lainde o?)
 * Can you change money for me? : (Tusi please mere pehe badal deo)
 * Where can I get money changed? : (Main kithon paise badalvaa sakda(male)/sakdi(female) haan?
 * Can you change a traveler's cheque for me? : (Tusi mere vaaste traveler cheque badal deo)
 * Where can I a traveler's cheque changed? : (Main traveler cheque kithon badalvaa sakda(male)/sakdi(female) haan?)
 * What is the exchange rate? : (Currency rate kee hai?)
 * Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : (ATM kithe hai?)

Eating

 * A table for one person/two people, please. :(1/2 bandeya vaaste ik table)
 * Can I look at the menu, please? :(ki me menu vekh sakda haan? )
 * Can I look in the kitchen? :(ki me rasoighar dekh skada haan?)
 * Is there a house specialty? :( ethe da kuch khaas hai? )
 * Is there a local specialty? : (...)
 * I'm a vegetarian. :(mein shakahari ha)
 * I don't eat pork. :(me soor da meat ni khanda)
 * I only eat kosher food. : (...)
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) :(tel ghatt payo)
 * fixed-price meal :(rate fix ha)
 * à la carte : (...)
 * breakfast : (naashtaa)
 * lunch : (...)
 * tea (meal) : (...)
 * supper : (...)
 * I want _____. : (maiN... chahundaa/chahundee haaN)
 * I want a dish containing _____. : (...)
 * chicken : (murgee)
 * beef : (...)
 * fish : (machhee)
 * ham : (...)
 * sausage : (...)
 * cheese : paneer
 * eggs : (anDe)
 * salad : (salaad)
 * (fresh) vegetables : (taaziaaN) sabziaaN
 * (fresh) fruit : (taaze) phal
 * bread : (...)
 * toast : (...)
 * noodles : (noodlaaN)
 * rice : (chaul)
 * beans : (...)
 * May I have a glass of _____? : (...)
 * coffee : (kafee)
 * tea (drink) : (chaah)
 * juice : (...)
 * (bubbly) water : (...)
 * water : (paanee)
 * beer : (...)
 * red/white wine : (...)
 * May I have some _____? : (ki mainooN... mil sakdaa hai?)
 * salt : (namak/loon)
 * black pepper : (kaaLee mirch)
 * butter : (makhaN)
 * Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server) : (...)
 * I'm finished. : (...)
 * It was delicious. : (...) bahut swaad si
 * Please clear the plates. : (...)
 * The check, please. : Kirpa karke bill day do

Bars

 * Do you serve alcohol? : (thusee sharab dindeh hor)
 * Is there table service? : (...)
 * A beer/two beers, please. : (...)
 * A glass of red/white wine, please. : (...)
 * A pint, please. : (...)
 * A bottle, please. : (...)
 * _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. : (...)
 * whiskey : (...)
 * vodka : (...)
 * rum : (...)
 * water : (panni)
 * club soda : (...)
 * tonic water : (...)
 * orange juice : (...)
 * Coke (soda) : (...)
 * Do you have any bar snacks? : (...)
 * One more, please. : Kirpa karke, ik hor
 * Another round, please. : (...)
 * When is closing time? : (...)

Shopping

 * Do you have this in my size? : (...)
 * How much is this? : ਇਹ ਕਿੱਨੇ ਦਾ/ਦੀ ਹੈ? (ih kinnē dā he?)
 * That's too expensive. : Ih bahut mhainga hai(...)
 * Would you take _____? : (...)
 * expensive : mhaingaa (...)
 * cheap :sastaa (...)
 * I can't afford it. :ihna mhainga main khareed ni sakdaa (...)
 * I don't want it. :main noo ih ni chahidaa (...)
 * You're cheating me. : (...)
 * I'm not interested. : (...)
 * OK, I'll take it. : (...)
 * Can I have a bag? : (...)
 * Do you ship (overseas)? : (...)
 * I need... : Mainu (...) chahida hai
 * ...toothpaste. : (...)
 * ...a toothbrush. : (...)
 * ...tampons. : (...)
 * ...soap. : (...)
 * ...shampoo. : (...)
 * ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) : (...)
 * ...cold medicine. : (...)
 * ...stomach medicine. : (...)
 * ...a razor. : (...)
 * ...an umbrella. : (chhattri)
 * ...sunblock lotion. : (...)
 * ...a postcard. : (...)
 * ...postage stamps. : (...)
 * ...batteries. : (...)
 * ...writing paper. : (...)
 * ...a pen. : (...)
 * ...English-language books. : (...)
 * ...an English-language newspaper. : (...)
 * ...a Punjabi-English dictionary. : (...)

Driving (Gaḍī chalā'uṇā ਗੱਡੀ ਚਲਾਉਣਾ)
Traffic Signs are much like those in Europe/UK. Words are written in English and sometimes the regional language.

Authority
It's always a good idea to contact your embassy/consulate immediately, if you are in trouble.

title: Punjabi phrasebook