About Jalndhar
Jalandhar district, located in the irrigated plains between the Beas and Sutlej rivers, is seeped in legend. One tradition says that it is named after a demon king mentioned in the Puranas and the Mahabharata. Another interpretation is that the region was ruled by Danava Jalandhara, an offspring of the river Ganga. Historically, it dates back to the Indus Valley Civilisation with numerous sites yielding traces of ancient settlements. Jalandhar also finds mention during the reign of Kanishka, and was home to as many as 50 Buddhist viharas and maths.
Jalandhar also played an important role in the Freedom Movement, with several revolutionary members of the anti-imperialist Ghadar Party launching their protests here. Following Independence in 1947, Jalandhar has become one of the wealthiest districts of Punjab, thanks in part to the sports goods industry it has nurtured. The racquet sporting goods of Pioneer Sports Works, the cricket equipment at FC Sondhi, and the team sports supplies from Beat All Sports, are synonymous with top-notch quality.
The city offers several attractions for visitors; notable among them is the beautiful St Mary’s Cathedral Church, the Gurdwara Chhevin Padshahi, and the Devi Talab, dedicated to Vrinda, wife of the demon king Jalandhar. Just outside Jalandhar is the sacred town of Kartapur which hosts an annual fair to celebrate Guru Arjan Dev’s birth. This city is also the birthplace of Swami Virjanand, mentor to Swami Dayanand Saraswati, founder of the Arya Samaj. Not too far from here lie Nur Mahal, best known for the ruins of a beautiful medieval sarai built by Noor Jehan; and Phillaur, known for its fort and two archaeological sites dating back to the Harappan period.
Nakodar, another town close to Jalandhar, is home to two architectural gems: the tombs of Mohammad Momin and Haji Jamal. Also known as the City of Fakirs, its other attraction is the Pir of Baba Murad Shah, a Sufi (Muslim mystic order) saint. In September, a grand festival is held here, attracting musicians and singers from around the state. Jalandhar’s musical traditions, however, are crowned by what is inarguably the oldest classical music festival in the world, the Harballabh Sangeet Festival, hosted in December.
Origin of the Name Jalandhar
The district is named after Jalandhar, a demon king, who finds a mention in the Puranas and Mahabharta. According to another legend, Jalandhar was the capital of the kingdom of lav, son of Rama. According to yet another version Jalandhar is said to have derived its name from the vernacular term Jalandhar means area inside the water, i.e. tract laying between the two rivers Satluj and Beas, still another name of Jalandhar had been Trigartta, as it was waters by three rivers, Satluj, Beas and Ravi