Ambala is also known as Sikh jatt place and in the villages they have taste of Punjab virsa as well as Haryana's culture.
LANGUAGE
With Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu forming the main languages, there are numerous dialects which are spoken throughout the Length and breadth of Ambala. However, almost all of them have their base in Hindi with a smattering of Urdu and Punjabi thrown in for good measure.
CUISINE
Simplicity is the key word when it boils down to eating and drinking for the Harayanavis, essentially living in rural areas. The 2-meal a day routine is followed in rural areas with the afternoon hunger pangs being put to rest in the fields. That’s for the villagers; they don’t eat Breakfast and go straight to Lunch which consists of loaves made from Flour (either bajra, Wheat or gram) with Salt and enough green chillies to put anyone else on fire. The evening meal – normally after a hefty drinking bout for the men – is another simple affair ofkhichri (porridge) of bajra and moong or rice.
The most famous places to have the best delicacies are Puran Singh Ka Dhaba, Amar Palace, Choupal, The USA Gardens, Maharaja, RGs, Jain Soda Water and Standard Restaurant.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Besides all the other festivals common to the rest of the country, Haryana celebrates Lohri with deep religious fervour. It is celebrated on the 13th of January every year. The temperature at this time drops to an all time low and there is a biting chill in the air. Bonfires are made into which sugarcane, parched rice, sesame Seeds and monkey Nuts are put as offerings to the fire and the blessings of the goddess of Lohri are invoked.
The Harvest festival (in April) of Baisakhi in Haryana is an experience of a lifetime. Both in Haryana and Punjab, farmers start harvesting with great jubilation. It is one of the liveliest celebrations and involves dance, music and feasting.
The most picturesque festival is the Teej festival, celebrated with the onset of the monsoon. This is the time when the oppressive summer heat is cooled by welcome showers. In Haryana, it is seen as a rejuvenation of life-in leaves, in grass, in man. Woman walk around with hennaed hands wearing tinkling Glass Bangles and colourful Dresses and fast for the long life of their husbands.
In the rural parts of Haryana, the festival of Sanjhi is celebrated in the month of October. 'Sanjhi' is the name given to the image of the mother goddess Durga as designed by the women of rural Haryana.
Related Links:
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links