PUNJAB
..The Land of Five Rivers..
CLIMATE
Agricultural fields of Punjab in Monsoon ---------->
Punjab's climate is characterised by extreme hot and extreme cold conditions. Annual temperatures in Punjab range from 1°C to 46°C (min/max), but can reach 49°C in summer and 0°C in winter.Average annual rainfall ranges between 960 mm in the submountain region and 460 mm in the plains.
Punjab has three seasons:
- Summer (April to June), when temperature typically rise as high as 49°C.
- Monsoon season (July to September), when the majority of rainfall occurs.
- Winter (December to February), when temperatures typically fall as low as 5°C.
There is a transitional period between winter and summer in March and early April, as well as a transitional season between monsoon season and winter in October and November.
FOOD
The basic diet of Punjabis consists of cereals (wheat, corn, or millet), vegetables, legumes (such as lentils), and milk products. Goat meat is eaten, but mainly on special occasions, such as weddings. A typical meal consists of flat bread (roti) made from wheat, a cup of lentils or other legumes (dal), and buttermilk or hot tea. In winter, the bread is made of corn, and vegetables such as mustard greens (sag) may be added.
DANCE
Alhough Punjabis never developed any classical traditions of dance, they are known for several forms of folk dance. These are usually performed at religious fairs and festivals or at harvest time. The most famous is the Bhangra , which is performed to celebrate a marriage, the birth of a son, or a similar event. Young men of the village, dressed in brightly colored clothes, gather in a circle around a drummer who beats out the rhythm of the dance.
SONG
In addition to the music associated with folk culture (songs, epics, and dances), Punjabis share in the traditions of Sikh sacred music and Sufi mysticism. The religious compositions of the Sikh gurus combine aspects of classical Indian music with popular Punjabi folk tunes. The contributions of wandering Muslim mystics, along with the sacred songs of the Hindus and Sikhs, became part of the Punjabi regional musical tradition. More formal Muslim music forms, such as the qawwali and ghazal, continue to be popular in the region today.
Cultural Commonalities with other state of india.
After the partition of India in 1947, the Punjab province of British India was divided between India and Pakistan. The Indian Punjab was divided in 1966 with the formation of the new states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh , as well as the current state of Punjab. The Indian Punjab State (East Punjab) extends from the international border with Pakistan to Delhi.
Therefore, the culture of punjab is also shared between the states of Haryana ,Himachal Pradesh ,Delhi,Chandigarh due to the settlement of the punjabis.
LOHRI FESTIVAL
Thapasya.Arun