Pul Kanjari

Pul Kanjari, popularly known as Amritsar’s Taj Mahal, is a village based on the vibrant expression of love by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Situated close the Wagah border, this town is historically significant as Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his troops would rest here while travelling between Amritsar and Lahore. An important trading centre during the 18th century, the town was named after a small bridge built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh over the canal between Amritsar and Lahore for his favourite dancer Moran, a Muslim dancer from the nearby village of Makhanpura. The Government of Punjab has recently renovated and opened the gates for tourists to visit Pul Kanjari.

Apart from the bridge, one can also admire the fortress of the Maharaja, which houses a Mosque, a Mandir, the Baradari and a Sarovar. A war memorial has been instituted to pay respect to the brave martyrs of the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971, during which time this area was greatly disputed over by the Pakistani Army and the Jawans of the Sikh regiments. Vistors can find beautiful Fresco work on the walls, and Nanakshahi Bricks were used to construct the Shiv Temple. Pul Kanjari was a major shopping hub during the partition era. After partition, inhabitants of the area who survived the aftermath migrated to parts of Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and other parts of India. Every August sees the return of these people who come to pay their respect to their ancestors and perform Akhand path in memory of those who had lost their lives at this historical site.