Punjabi culture is affluent due to the intermingling of external invasions, making it the richest and divergent one incorporating the cultural practices of its settlers. It is the site of Indus valley Civilization, highly acclaimed for its ethnic tradition. Traces of Mesopotamia, Greece, Egypt is also been found. No one stands in comparison so far as the sophistication and exuberance is concerned. The eloquence of Punjabi dancers and musicians remain invincible. Bhangra is a performing dance and music that gave Punjabis worldly-wise fame. Mughlai `khana` has become staples for even the non- Punjabis. The Dogra-Pahari style of wrapping turbans beautifies the stout and steadiness of Punjabis, pinpointing their excellent martial techniques that they have imbibed. The mosques, temples, `Gurdwaras`, not largely bare religious flamboyancy of Punjabi; they are examples of marvelous architectural wonders.
Festivals
The religious festival Gugga Naumi commemorates the worship of Gugga Pir. Pir`s worshippers smear his image on the wall with turmeric, also draw a black snake, in front of it and then execute the ritual. Special festivals, called Gurupureabs, are organized in Punjab in accolade of the Sikh Gurus. Among the three important Gurupurabs, the admirers with great élan fete the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
Punjabis celebrate the festival of light, Diwali, in zest, adding some special customs to it. In Amritsar`s Golden Temple, The people light the earthen lamps a round the hold tanks and their swelling reflection in the water look awesome. Lori and Maghi are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Lori is held on the fourteenth day of January, marks a day of doing fire offering. Maghi, another popular festival of Punjabis, is also celebrated in the following day.
Music and dance
Punjabi culture is incomplete without its treasure house of music and dance. There is a wide variety of folk music, depicting the toils of day-to-day lives in simple and melodious rhythms. The element of elasticity of Punjabi folk music intrudes diversity to it. Boli is famous through out Punjab. There are songs composed for special occasions, generally accompanied by musical instruments. Dholak, Algoza, Iktara, Dhad Sarangi append allurement to the recitation.
Cuisine
Lifestyle
Naturally the tribes and other ethnic groups, who constitute the Punjabi society, practice farming and irrigation. Commercial viability and rich historical remnants attract the tourism industry to flourish to suffice the myriads of migrants and tourists. Phulkari work is one of the most fascinating expressions of the Punjabi folk art. Women have developed this art at the cost of some of their very precious moments of leisure.
Punjabi culture ennobles the whole of Indian culture and tradition with its vistas of exquisite music, festivals, hot cuisine and humdrum livelihood.
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