My Home Town Ambala

जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी (janani janambhumisch swargadapi gariyasi)

This Sanskrit verse means that mother and birthplace are more precious than Heaven. Ambala Cantt is double blessing for me: I was born here, and so were my children. Sentiments apart, it is one of the oldest towns, and of multitudinous importance.

The name ‘Ambala’ comes from Amba Wala meaning the mango-village, from mango groves which existed in its vicinity. Another version is that the city takes its name after goddess “Bhawani Amba”. Established in the year 1843, the twin cities, Ambala Cantt and Ambala City, are renowned world over for scientific instruments and textile market. Strategically located on the National Highway/ Sher Shah Suri Marg (Connecting Lahore to Delhi), Ambala Cantt is one of the oldest Indian Army and the Indian Air Force base. The soldiers and the civil population played a significant role in the Revolt of 1857.

Ambala Cantt is also one of the oldest, biggest railway junctions of Northern Railways. The railway station and the general bus stand are opposite to each other. The frequent service makes it an important destination enroute Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh. River Ghaggar flows on the north and river Tangri to the south. Military Tanks decorate the crossings and MIG/ Jaguar/ Rafeal/ Jets fly past the sky.

The city has a handful of places of tourist interest. I have fond childhood memories of Indira Park, Patel Park, Subash Park and Gandhi Ground. The town is secular and has renowned places of worship of all religions: Hathi Khana (ancient Shiv Mandir), Kali Bari Mandir, Sanatan Dharam Mandir, Arya Samaj of Hindus; Gurudwara Manji Sahib, Gurudwara Panjokhra Sahib of Sikhs; Muslim shrines of Lakhi Shah, Taqwal Shah and peers; Holy Redeemer Church, Heritage Saint Paul Church (also known as the Bomb Church as it was bombarded and damaged in the 1965 Indo Pak war), British era cemetery (graves of World War I martyrs and East India Officials) replete with haunting ghosts stories. The town boasts of elite Mall Road and Staff Road maintained by the forces.

The famous Sadar Bazar/ Sarafa Bazar is a shoppers’ paradise. My shopping list always has knick-knacks found only here. The town does not have the typical Haryanavi identity or the peculiar Punjabi. The cantonment status gives it a pan India urban lineage. Sharing a family anecdote, when my Nanaji used to go shopping for his daughters, he reaclled that he would sit quietly and observe what the forces ladies shopped. That was his gauge for the latest trends.

The town is a foodie’s heaven. From iconic Pachranga golgappe, hand-made ice cream, falooda kulfi, tikki samosa, Garg puris, Puran Singh’s non-veg, Khan’s hot dogs, Mohan Bakery, Sawhney mathis, and Bihari’s Fruit Beer, the legacy of culinary delight persists. Life moves at a leisurely pace minus the hustle bustle of the cosmopolitan. Jaggi City Centre, a recent addition, is a must stop site for highway travelers.

Born and brought up in Ambala, the town flows in my veins. I draw nourishment from my roots and enjoy coming home to my parents, my childhood.

Suruchi Kalra Choudhary