Ambarsar’s Sat Sri Akaal! Amritsar is a city rich in history, culture, and religion that leaves every single one of its visitors in utter amazement and is home to Harmandir Sahib, the holiest shrine in Sikhism, also known as the Golden Temple. The magnificent Golden Temple, often referred to as Darbar Sahib, is well-known around the world and for good reason. The stunning gurudwara and the serene sarovar, the lake with the holy water, are both part of the expansive temple complex. A dome in the form of an inverted lotus tops the upper portion of the Golden Temple. The dome of this structure is covered in around 100 kilogrammes of pure gold, therefore the name ” Golden Temple. “
How to reach Amritsar
Amritsar boasts a bustling railroad station, an airport, a bus station that connects it to other cities in Punjab and neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. Most visitors travel by train from Delhi, but I took a bus from McCleod Ganj (Dharamshala), where I was staying.
The daily Shatabdi express train (12013), which travels from New Delhi to Amritsar in less than 6 hours, is the best option from Delhi.
Other trains to Amritsar run as well, but they take longer. From the airport or train station you’ll need to take a cab or auto rickshaw into Amritsar city centre.
Where to Stay in Amritsar
Amritsar’s accommodations are dispersed throughout both the old and new parts of the city, with the newer, more luxury accommodations being farther away.
Small, inexpensive guesthouses are frequently the only lodging options in Amritsar’s Old City, but they have the advantage of being conveniently close to the temple, excellent dining options, and other attractions. You’ll get the best
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Places to visit in Amritsar
Planning your Amritsar sightseeing should take into account the fact that there are number of well-known locations there that you’ll want to see.
Of course, the Golden Temple will probably be at the top of your list of attractions in Amritsar, but when making travel plans, keep in mind that there is more to this city than just the Golden Temple.
Golden Temple
Depending on how much time you have, I advise starting with the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib, which means “abode of God”) while deciding what to see in Amritsar.
It’s nice to schedule two visits here, one in the morning or during the day and one at night to see it all lit up, if you have the opportunity.
The holy pool and temple in the old city of Amritsar were the inspiration for the city’s name, which translates to “the pool of immortality.”
The city of Amritsar expanded around the pool and temple after the excavation of the pool took place in the 1500s. The Sikhism sacred book is stored in the inner temple, which is known as the “Golden Temple” and is encircled by a moat-like water.
Depending on the time of day, there may be a line that is long to enter the inner temple.
Seva, or selfless service, is one of Sikhism’s basic tenets. The Golden Temple is one of the most inspiring venues in the world to view the scope of the organisation, which is entirely administered by volunteers.
Don’t pass up the chance to sample lungar in one of the halls that serve more than 100,000 people lunch and dinner each day.
The primary meal periods are 12 to 2 pm and 7 to 9 pm, while food is given all during the afternon. Expect dal, chapatis, and vegetables in the simple, delicious, and vegetarian food.
No matter your religious beliefs, everyone is welcome, and it’s a memorable event (food is hygenically prepared and safe to eat).
Jallianwala Bagh
The Jallianwala Bagh, which is a short distance from the Golden Temple, is another attraction you shouldn’t skip while exploring Amritsar.
This park commemorates one of the biggest atrocities committed under British colonial rule of India and is a significant memorial on a national level.
It might not be simple to visit if you’re British, but it’s one of the most significant and well-known sites in Amritsar that everyone should see.
The 1919 slaughter at Jallianwala Bagh is significant historically, but so are the subsequent events that ultimately resulted in India’s independence in 1947.
Under the direction of British officer Reginald Dyer, hundreds of defenceless Indians were slaughtered here.
Partition Museum
The Partition Museum in Amritsar, which opened on August 17, 2017, exactly 70 years after India was divided, should be included to your list of the top attractions in Amritsar.
The Attari-Wagah border ceremony,
which commemorates the daily closure of the border between India and Pakistan nearby, is a popular destination for tourists in Amritsar (more on that experience below), but in contrast, the Partition Museum reveals the sobering truth of the bloody divorce of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, just days after Indian independence.
With up to 2 million lives lost and 14 million people isplaced as a result of the separation of India, the Indian partition continues to this day to be the biggest migration crisis in human history.
The partition museum is one of the best museums I’ve encountered in India, with audio tours, artwork, and a variety of displays that bring the stories of families divided by borders, war, and religion to life.
It is situated in the old city directly across from the Golden Temple.
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