Sunām, India
Region: Punjab
Geographic Coordinates: 30.130000, 75.800000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 40.0°C (68°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 124590
Language: Hindi
Sunām is a small town situated in the Sangrur district of Punjab, India. The place has a fascinating past and cultural heritage that dates back to the pre-independence era. Hazrat Baba Haji Rattan, A Sufi saint, Founded Sunām in the 17th century and established his shrine here. Even today, Locals and visitors alike revere this shrine. Sunām is primarily an agricultural town with extensive fields of crops such as wheat, Rice, Sugarcane and cotton that stretch far into the horizon. The fertile land around Sunām has made it one of the most prosperous towns in Punjab’s Malwa region.
Gurdwara Nanaksar Sahib is one of Sunām’s most famous landmarks. Sant Baba Isher Singh Ji Maharaj established this Sikh temple in 1944 to spread Sikhism’s teachings and spirituality. Apart from religious sites, Sunām boasts several historical monuments such as Kali Devi Temple – an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Kali – which attracts devotees from all over India during Navratri (a Hindu festival).
Another famous attraction in Sunām is its annual fair called Mela Maghi that takes place every year on January 14th attracting thousands of visitors from nearby towns and villages who come to enjoy traditional Punjabi food, Music performances, Carnival rides, Games stalls etc. Sunam also has several parks where people can relax or engage in outdoor activities like jogging or playing sports like cricket or football. Nehru Park located at the heart of the city offers lush greenery for people to sit under trees or take walks around it.
In terms of education facilities available for students residing here are several schools and colleges including Government College for Women and Government Senior Secondary School. The town also has a bustling market where people can buy everything from clothes to groceries. In conclusion, Sunāmis an enchanting town that provides visitors with an insight into Punjab’s rich culture and history. Its religious sites, Historical monuments, Annual fair, Parks and educational institutions make it an ideal destination for tourists looking to explore the region.
- Gurudwara Charan Kamal Sahib: A popular Sikh temple located in the heart of Sunam.
- Sunam Lake: A beautiful artificial lake surrounded by a well-maintained park that offers boating and other recreational activities.
- Dera Baba Nanak: A historical site associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s visit to this place during his travels.
- Bhima Devi Temple Complex: An ancient archaeological site featuring Hindu temples dating back to the 8th century AD.
- Sangrur Fort: A historic fort built by Maharaja Jind Kaur that now serves as a museum showcasing local art and culture.
- Banasar Garden: A serene garden full of lush greenery and colorful flowers that offers a peaceful escape from city life.
- Badi Sadri Wildlife Sanctuary: A natural reserve home to various species of animals and birds, including deer, leopards, peacocks, etc.
- Chhatbir Zoo: One of the largest zoos in Punjab featuring over 100 species of animals from around the world.
- Fatehgarh Sahib Gurudwara: An important pilgrimage site for Sikhs located near Sirhind where Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s sons were martyred.
- Temple Of Mata Vaishno Devi : It is one of the most visited shrines in India situated near Sunam Bus Stand which provides an experience similar to visiting Vaishno devi temple at Katra (Jammu).
- Agriculture: Sunām is an agricultural town where many farmers grow wheat, rice, sugarcane and cotton.
- Textile industry: The town has a thriving textile industry that involves weaving and dyeing fabrics.
- Handicrafts: Sunām is renowned for its handicrafts such as Phulkari embroidery, juttis (traditional shoes), and pottery.
- Dairy farming: Several dairy farms in the area produce milk and other dairy products.
- Retail businesses: Small retail businesses like grocery stores, clothing shops, and electronic stores cater to the local population’s needs.
- Education sector: There are several schools and colleges in Sunām that provide education to students from nearby areas.
- Healthcare sector: Several hospitals and clinics offer medical services to the local population.
- Transportation services: Good road connectivity with nearby towns has led to growth of transportation services such as buses, taxis & auto-rickshaws making it easier for people travel within or outside region for work or leisure purposes.
- Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh guru visited Sunām during his travels across Punjab.
- Maharaja Ranjit Singh had a fort built in Sunām during his reign as a famous Sikh ruler.
- Bhagat Singh’s father Kishan Singh was born in the nearby village of Banga.
- Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, a prominent Sikh warrior who fought against Mughal rule in the 18th century, had a gurdwara built in Sunām dedicated to him.
- Giani Zail Singh, the seventh President of India from 1982 to 1987 was born in Sandhwan village near Sunām.
- Shaheed Udham Singh was an Indian revolutionary who assassinated Michael O’Dwyer (the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab) for his role in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He was born and raised in Sunam before leaving for England where he carried out his assassination mission.
- The Ghadar Party movement had significant support from Punjabi immigrants living abroad including those from around Sunam region which contributed significantly to India’s independence movement.
- National Highway-7 (NH-7) passes through Sunam connecting it with major cities like Delhi and Amritsar making it an important transportation hub.
- Sunam Fort
- Gurdwara Baba Ala Singh
- Gurudwara Sahib Patshahi Chevin
- Bhakra Canal
- Sita Mai Temple
- Ram Mandir
- Hanuman Mandir
- Maa Kali Temple
- Shri Durga Mata Mandir
- Shiv mandir
Sports Culture in Sunām, Punjab
Sunām, a small town in Punjab state, India, has a vibrant sports culture and has produced many talented athletes over the years. Cricket, kabaddi, hockey and football are some of the popular sports played in this town.
Local Clubs and Teams
- Sunam Cricket Club: One of the oldest cricket clubs in the town that has won several local tournaments over the years.
- Guru Nanak Sports Club: Established with a vision to promote sports among youth especially from underprivileged backgrounds.
- Young Star Football Club: Promotes football as a sport among youth in Sunam.
- Grewal Hockey Academy: Trains young players from rural areas who lack resources for training at higher levels.
These sports teams based out of Sunām not only contribute towards promoting sports culture within their community but also represent their region on larger platforms through various competitions they participate across different levels.
- Baisakhi Mela is a harvest festival celebrated in April that marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year.
- Lohri is celebrated in January and is a celebration of the winter solstice, marked by bonfires and traditional Punjabi dance.
- Holi, known as the festival of colors, takes place in March and involves throwing colored powder and water at each other.
- Diwali is celebrated in October or November and is known as the festival of lights; it involves lighting lamps and candles to symbolize victory over darkness.
- Guru Nanak Jayanti takes place in November to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who founded Sikhism.
- Teej Festival takes place in August or September as a women’s-only festival that celebrates marital bliss with fasting, dancing, singing, and applying henna on hands.
- Navratri Festival honors goddess Durga during this nine-day Hindu festival that happens twice a year (in March-April & September-October). Prayers & fasting during daytime are followed by Garba dance at night.
Note: Some events may be subject to change or cancellation due to COVID-19 restrictions or local circumstances; it’s best to confirm with local authorities before planning your trip.
- Makhan Fish and Chicken Corner – famous for its fish and chicken dishes.
- Punjabi Dhaba – known for its authentic Punjabi food like parathas, lassi, and chole bhature.
- New Bombay Biryani House – famous for its biryani.
- Chawla’s Restaurant – known for its North Indian dishes like butter chicken, naan, and kebabs.
- Pehalwan Lassi Wala – famous for its thick lassis (yogurt-based drink).
- Gopal Sweets – famous for its sweets like gulab jamun, rasgulla, and jalebi.
- Pappi Di Hatti – known for serving delicious street food like chaat, golgappe (pani puri), and samosas.
- Hotel Amar Palace- serves a variety of vegetarian dishes with a traditional touch.
- Cricket and other sports at the Sports Complex and Indira Gandhi Stadium.
- Walking or jogging at the various parks.
- Picnicking with family and friends at the public parks.
- Visiting religious sites like Kali Mata Mandir and Baba Jogi Peer Ji for spiritual fulfillment.
- Enjoying nature walks in Green Belt Garden or Rose Garden.
- Playing games like badminton, volleyball, etc., with friends and family in open spaces of parks or playgrounds available in public areas of the city.
- Festivals celebrated in Sunām are also a great way to experience local culture through music, dance performances, food stalls, etc., which can be enjoyed by people of all ages together as a community celebration activity during festive seasons like Diwali, Holi & Baisakhi etc..
