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Amritsar
[ Edit ] Overview
The spiritual heart of the Sikh community, Amritsar is perhaps one of India's most important junctions – connected to the rest of India by the 500 year old Grand Trunk Road on its east and Pakistan through the Wagah Border on its west. In addition to the fabulous Golden Temple, Amritsar's attractions include it roadside dhabas and the spectacle of the daily closing of the India / Pakistan border gate at Wagah..
While the area around Amritsar was briefly under Greek influence around 326 B.C., and subsequently became part of the Maurya and Gupta empires, Amritsar’s notable history is inter-linked with the birth and growth of Sikhism and the establishment of the Golden Temple starting in the 1500’s. Amritsar, which means “Pool of Nectar”, derives its name from Amrit Sarovar, the holy tank that surrounds the Golden Temple.
Otherwise like most small and crowded Indian cities, Amritsar is an important destination given the presence of the Golden Temple. However, there is more than just the temple for visitors. Amritsar played an important role in India’s freedom. Jallianwala Bagh is the site of the massacre of unarmed Indians by British troops in 1919. In addition, the Indo-Pakistan border at Wagah, just a short distance from Amritsar, with its elaborate change-of-guards drill at the evening gate closing has become a major tourist attraction.
[ Edit ] History
Quick Facts
[ Edit ] State
[ Edit ] Location
At the western end of Punjab and on the Grand Trunk Road bordering Pakistan.
[ Edit ] Best Time To Visit
October to March is presents the best weather in Amritsar. Summer tends to be unbearably hot – a shade warmer than Delhi – for leisure travel.
[ Edit ] Tourist Offices
[ Edit ] STD Code
0183
Sightseeing
[ Edit ] Golden Temple
One of the most easily recognizable monuments in India, the 450-year-old Golden Temple, or Harmander Sahib, is the spiritual heart of the Sikh religion. People of any religion, caste or creed are welcome here. A humongous glittering dome is bound to be the first thing that catches your eye. The overwhelming structure was molded from 400 kilos of gold. The actual temple is a double-storied structure standing on nearly 70 square feet of in-laid marble and was laid out by Maharaja Ranjit Singh along a pool that was built by the fourth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Ram Das. Enter the main temple and observe the holy book of the Sikhs – the Granth Sahib. During the night, the sacred bind retires to the Akal Takth chamber across the pool. Go over the Jubi Tree that lies at one corner of the premises and stand in the presence of a legacy planted by Baba Buddha. After absorbing the pious ambience of the site, it is time to part take of the hospitality of this institution by heading for the Guru Ka Langar. On this large courtyard, free food is served for around 20,000 people a day. more
[ Edit ] Hathi Gate Temple
In the heart of Sikh country stands the Hathi Gate / Durgiana Temple built with a untraditional Hindu look. Built in the 1930’s, the design is reminiscent of the Golden Temple. It possesses a central dome with its main structure arising from the midst of a tank, while canopies embellish the surrounding passageways. Step inside the temple and look for those sacred Hindu scriptures that this temple is known to be repository of. The origins of this temple aren't rooted in mythology, but look behind it and you will find another temple whose name is. The Hanuman Mandir lies as an ancient symbol of Hindu presence in this northern reaches of the country. The mandir has been laid out on the site where Hanuman is believed to have been beaten in battle by Luv and Kush, Lord Rama & Sita’s children.
[ Edit ] Jallianwala Bagh
Walking through a maze of narrow paths in the Old City, near the Golden Temple, and emerging onto a large open field is a site that is one of the most significant in India's journey toward independence from the British. Jallianwala Bagh is the site of the horrific massacre, in 1919, where a peaceful public meeting came to a bloody end with British rifles shooting at 2,000 Indians trapped and unable to hide and avoid fire. One can still see the a preserved section of the wall riddled with scores of bullet marks, the well that several hundred Indian’s jumped into to avoid the fire of the British, and a small museum and park to commemorate the event.
[ Edit ] Khair-ud-Din Masjid
Khair-ud-Masjid is the oldest and most famous mosque in the city and stands near Gandhi Gate at Hall Bazaar. The structure uses traditional Islamic architecture with beautiful calligraphy adorning its walls. The masjid is frequented by a sizeable patronage for the daily namaz. Despite the large crowds that enter, the masjid complex has been well preserved. An interesting bit of information is that the two speakers at Jallianwala Bagh – Dr. Saifuddin Kichlu and Dr. Satyapal - were hosted at this very mosque.
[ Edit ] Other Gurudwaras
Other Gurudwaras, including the Baba Atal, the Mata Kaulan, as well as Guru ke Mahal are worth a visit. These temples hosted the Gurus while the Golden Temple / Harmander Sahin was being built. The Baba Atal is an imposing nine-story structure and incidentally, the highest structure in Amritsar. The tower which was dedicated to the son of a Guru Hargobind who died at the age of nine, bears murals depicting Guru Nanak and the Sikh tradition. Mata Kaulan stands a small structure on a large lake near the Golden Temple. This Gurudwara speaks to the historic tale of a lady who was given shelter by Guru Hargobind. On your trip around the lake, you could also visit the Gurudwara Saragarhi Sahib. This small shrine was built by the British in tribute to the Sikh soldiers who died during the Anglo-Afghan War of 1902.
[ Edit ] Ram Bagh
Ram Bagh is a sprawling landscaped garden with large age-old trees and well-manicured shrubbery. It's a suitable tribute to the founder of Amritar and after whom it is named – Guru Ram Baba. The summer palace of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh is located here and the mansion, now converted into a museum, has an abundance of original furniture and paintings.
[ Edit ] Wagah Border
The border between India and Pakistan passes close to Amritsar. At this location, witness a ceremonious gesture that plays out daily, before sunset, to mark the closing of the border for the day through the famous Change of Guard ceremony. Watch an elaborate and interacted drill as soldiers from both countries give each other a salute, march about rigorously and bring down their respective national flags. A raucous crowd, fuelled by nationalistic fervour, add to the fun of the entire experience.
Taxis or Auto rickshaws can be hired in Amritsar for the trip to Wagah. Journey time is typically 30 – 45 minutes.
Planning a Trip
Getting There
[ Edit ] Air
Amritsar’s Raja Sansi Airport, located 11 km from town, is reasonably well connected to most major cities in India.
[ Edit ] Rail
Amritsar is well connected by direct trains to major Indian cities.
[ Edit ] Road
Amritsar is well connected by road to Chandigarh (235 Kms), Delhi (450 Kms), Himachal Pradesh (including Shimla, Kulu, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie among others), Uttar Pradesh (Dehradun and Rishikesh) and Jammu.
Amritsar also offers the only overland connectivity to Lahore, 35 km away, from India with a regular scheduled bus service between the 2 countries.
[ Edit ] Getting Around
Auto rickshaws are readily available and the cheapest and most convenient way to get around. If budget is not an issue, rented cars / taxis are good, especially in the summers when the heat is stifling.
[ Edit ] Other Information
[ Edit ] Shopping
Hall Bazaar, spreads out over a vast area, offers everything from jewellery, pickles, papads, clothes, handkerchiefs, turbans and a variety of Sikh motifs.
Darbara Sahib is good if you are interested in stainless steel cutlery or souvenirs such as ceremonial talwars (knives), swords and scabbards.
[ Edit ] Food
'''Kulcha Chole''' for breakfast at the Muqbool Road or MK hotel.Go there in the morning, shop closes after 12 noon. Other must visit eating places are the ''Kesar Dhaba'' in the old city and ''Munim Di Hatti'' for amazing lassi and puri chole. "Bharawan da Dhaba" near Hall Bazaar is also a popular veg food restaurant.
Carry home assorted boxes of '''Aam Papad''' (in more 20 different forms) from ''Lubhaya Ram'' in Rani Bagh.
Non-Veg fare - Makhan on the Lawrence Road for fish pakodas and Chawla Chicken Restaurant on the Lawrence Road for pepper chicken.
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