Exploring Punjab in India with Karun Chandhok

THE EPISODE ROUND-UPThe show was telecast on June 16, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.,

India Standard Time

All photographs and text by Ajay Jainajay@ajayjain.com / http://kunzum.com

Monday 17 June 13

Karun started the journey in Sirhind near Ludhiana - this town is known for giving trucks in the state a colourful and artistic look. Karun the racing driver turned into Karun the artist for a while.

Monday 17 June 13

Punjab is the agricultural capital of the country - and it’s rich farmers sure can afford big, mean machines

Monday 17 June 13

Punjab is known for a variety of crops - including these beautiful sunflowers that Karun stopped to have a closer look at.

Monday 17 June 13

Karun’s inherent sense of adventure saw him drive through fields when he could

Monday 17 June 13

When in Punjab, we stopped to eat at dhabas (roadside eateries) whenever we got a chance - they serve the best meals in the state

Monday 17 June 13

One of the highlights of the journey was witnessing the Gatka, the traditional weapons-based martial art of the Punjab region. We

managed to witness the show while in Jalandhar.

Monday 17 June 13

During the Gatka performance, this snake like metallic weapon sure sent us all on a backfoot - if it struck any of us, its ‘sting’

would surely have hurt.

Monday 17 June 13

The men of the Sikh community of Punjab wear turbans as their traditional headgear - and the likes of Bhupinder Thind even run academies in

Jalandhar to teach the art of tying turbans in many different ways. He is seeing here tying one on Karun - with a self-imposed challenge of doing so

blindfolded. And he managed to do a perfect job.Monday 17 June 13

A visit to Punjab cannot be complete without a visit to a Akhara, or a traditional mud-wrestling arena - like this one in Jalandhar that we visited.

Monday 17 June 13

It was fun and games too at times - like when Karun hopped onto a tractor for a joyride in Hoshiarpur.

Monday 17 June 13

While in Hoshiarpur, Karun also got a primer on how to make gur or jaggery from sugarcane - at a small set-up along the highway.

Monday 17 June 13

Karun could not resist taking home a box full of freshly made jaggery.

Monday 17 June 13

Often, the best of travelling is when you can just sit around without an agenda or plan - in other words, you can chill

Monday 17 June 13

We were fortunate to have got an opportunity to spend time at the BSF camp in Hoshiarpur - and witness how our soldiers stay fit and combat ready to keep us safe

Monday 17 June 13

Karun and BSF officials exchanging notes on their respective occupations and lives before Karun got a tour of the camp

Monday 17 June 13

And then we reached Amritsar - where a visit to the Golden Temple is a must

Monday 17 June 13

One of the fascinating experiences of the Golden Temple is dropping by at the langar or community kitchen - thousands are served meals here daily, with much of the work

being carried out efficiently by volunteers. Karun sure enjoyed his lunch here.Monday 17 June 13

You sure need oversized woks and strong arms when you have to cook for thousands daily

Monday 17 June 13

Volunteers cleaning dishes to have them ready for the next set of people coming in for a meal at the Golden Temple

Monday 17 June 13

A sense of nationalism was seen in full when Karun visited the India - Pakistan border at Wagah; thousands visit the site daily in the evening to

witness the lowering of the flag ceremony for the day.Monday 17 June 13

The alterrain finally brought the journey to an end at Wagah

Monday 17 June 13