Endorsing the success of the Captain Amarinder Singh government across sectors, Punjab has won at the India Today Tourism Awards – 2019, with the iconic spiritual gateway, the Golden Temple at Amritsar being adjudged the winner in Spiritual Category.The winning slot went to the Golden Temple at the India Today`s nationwide poll, according to an official spokesperson.Resident Commissioner Punjab Bhawan, New Delhi, Rakhee Gupta Bhandari and Additional Secretary Tourism and Cultural Department Punjab Malwinder Singh Jaggi received the coveted award from Union Minister of State for Tourism K.J. Alphons on behalf of the state government here today.The Golden Temple, a spiritual destination, witnesses daily average visit of 1.25 lakh pilgrims or devotees and tourists from across the globe. Its architect is a symbol of brotherhood, equality and humility, while its four entrances welcome the people of all faiths.
After receiving the award, Bhandari and Jaggi said the Punjab Government was wholeheartedly working to further develop the boarding and lodging facilities, besides strengthening the infrastructure in the holy city of Amritsar so that the visitors and tourists could stay for days as per their convenience. The city is known as a center of spiritual and historical tourism with destinations including Golden Temple, Partition museum, Jallianwala Bagh, Punjab state War Heroes Memorial, Attari Border Post, Ram Tirath Temple, Durgiana Temple, Gobindgarh Fort etc.The Resident Commissioner further said that the development of the tourism sector was a key thrust area for the state government, which was going all to develop the sector. In order to strengthen the infrastructure in the cities known as centers of religion tourism and tourism in general, the state government was developing the tourism sector under various circuits, including the Spiritual Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Historical circuit etc, added the Resident Commissioner.