The name Jalandara originated as a result that it is located between two rivers namely Jal and Andhar. During British occupation Jalandara was previously known as Jullundur. It is an ancient city in Punjab. The place was the capital of Trigarttas during the times of Mahabharata war.

Jalandara is renowned for the production of sports equipments, leather goods, rubber goods etc. In sports goods, some the world`s most well known line for football, cricket, and hockey equipment are made in Jalandhar. The place is also famous for surgical tool industry. The city claims to have the largest number of Hospitals in Asia. Jalandhar also has the biggest printing industry in India. Jalandhar is also quite known for its electrical goods industry. Jalandara is the media and mass communication hub of the region having the regional headquarters of the national television and radio channels.

The satellite towns of Jalandara:
Phagwara is famous for cloth manufacturing and drapery shops and Kartarpur is one of the biggest exporters of quality furniture. Another added merit of Jalandhar is that the famous spin bowler of Indian cricket team Harbhajan Singh comes from Jalandhar. The other famous personalities that hail from Jalandhar are Apache Indian, Hans Raj Hans, Jasbir Jassi, Jazzy B, Salim, and Sarabjit Cheema, K.L. Saigal etc.

History of Jalandara, Punjab:
The country takes its name from the great Daitya King Danava Jalandhara the son of the Ganga(ocean). In history the earliest mention of Jalandara occurs during the reign of Kanishka, the Kushan king of Northern India.

Durig the 7th Century, when Hiuen Tsang, the famous Chinese traveller and pilgrim visited India during the reign of Harsha Vardhana, the Kingdom of Jalandhara or Trigartta was under the rule of Raja Utito.

According to Fahien, the Chinese pilgrim there were many Vihars of Buddhism in India. There were about 50 Vihars of Buddhism in the Jalandhar Doab. In AD 1019, the district was included in the Shahi Kingdom of Punjab and Jalandhar was an important city in the region.

Geography of Jalandara, Punjab:
Jalandara is situated 375 kilometers from Delhi and 90 kms from Amritsar. Jalandara was the capital of Punjab till 1953 after which it was replaced by Chandigarh.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN JALANDARA, PUNJAB

Pushpa Gujral Science City:
Pushpa Gujral Science City is the largest and the second Science City in India. Located on Jalandhar-Kapurthala road in an area of 72 acres, it is named after the mother of former Prime Minister of India Shri I.K. Gujral. It is built with the aim of learning, fun & amusement out of Science for people of all ages & all walks of life. The biggest project of its kind in Northern India,  Pushpa Gujral Science City is far more than being just a Museum or a Theme Park. It is a blend of fun, curiosity and education to ensure longer and repeated visits. An 18-foot-high eye-catching model of dinosaur, a GSLV missile and a globe made out of tiny 26 lakh colourful present an awesome view from outside. A kids park equipped with swings, bouncers and other rides is for the kids to enjoy, while helping them to learn various principles pertaining to physics. A health gallery has also been set up in which various exhibits pertaining to biological concepts have been put on display. An artificial lake running throughout the science city has been created to give the visitors the pleasure of pedal boating while enjoying the beauty of various marvels of science.

Kartarpur Gurudwara:
Kartarpur located 16km from Jalandhar is famous for its Gurudwara built by the Fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Devji in 1656 A.D. A fair is held every year on his birth anniversary. Large number of devotees attend the fair. There is a Smarak here for Swami Virjanad who was the teacher of Swami Dayanand Saraswathi; the founder of Arya Samaj.  Kartarpur is also famous for its furniture industry.

Moorish Mosque:
The mosque is situated in Kapurthala about 21 km from Jalandhar. The mosque was built in 1930 by a French architect Manteaux, during the reign of Jagatjit Singh, the last Maharaja of Kapurthala.  The design resembles that of the great Qutbiya Mosque, at Marakesh in Morocco. The inner dome of the mosque have designs by the artists of the Mayo School of Arts, Lahore.

Panch Mandir:
This architecturally temple is located 21 km from Jalandhar in Kapurthala town. The mandir, the most striking monument in the town was built by Fateh Singh Ahluwaliah, the founder of the Kapurthala State. The main dome in the center is  surrounded by several smaller temples dedicated to different deities.

Handira Mausoleum:
The mausoleum is situated in Sultanpur Lodhi in  Kapurthala district 36km from Jalandhar. This fine monument, on the banks of the river Kali Bein is built on an octagonal plan with four gates in cardinal directions. Its drumless squattish dome, broad pointed arches and open arched Jharokas (an ornamental sitting place jutting of the walls) add dignity to its austere design.

Gurudwara Ber Sahib:
The Gurudwara is situated in Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district, 36km from Jalandhar. This is the place where the first prophet Guru Nanak got enlightenment and created 'Sukhmani Sahib' while taking bath in the river Kali Bein. It was from Sultanpur Lodhi that Guru Nanak embarked on his long preaching odysseys called 'Udasis' in the Sikh tradition. 

Masoleums of Ustad and Shagird:
Two beautiful 17th century tombs are situated in Nakodar. One of them belongs to Ustad (teacher) Mohammed Momin Hussaini alias Hafizah, a musician in the service of 'Khan-e-Khana'- the chamberlain of Emperor Jahangir. The other tomb belongs to Haji Jamal, his disciple. The mausoleums are similar in architecture to Emperor Humayun's tomb in and stand out as buildings of great attraction. 

Serai Nurmahal:
Nurmahal, a small town around 13 km from Nakodar is  associated with Nurjahan, wife of Emperor Jahangir, known for her beauty and style of living. Mughal Serai alias Serai Nurmahal, said to be constructed for Nurjahan, is a remarkable specimen of oriental architecture. Its massive gate embellished with arches, filigree work and tiles of beautiful patterns, topped by 4 delicate minarets make it a place worth a visit.

Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Museum:
Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Museum has been constructed to pay homage to the great revolutionary martyrs of the , who laid down their lives for the liberation of their motherland. The museum was inaugurated on the 50th martyrdom anniversary of the great Martyr Sardar Bhagat Singh. Situated about 55 kilometers from Jalandhar, at Khatkar Kalan, on Nawanshahar-Banga road, the museum displays the memorable belongings of the revolutionary martyrs of the Punjab. The half burnt ashes of Sardar Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev including the blood soaked and blood stained newspaper in which their ashes were wrapped are preserved and exhibited here.