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Amritsar travel

General info

Amritsar has a rich architecture and culture which their ancestors had built with audacity. Situated in northwestern India in the northern part of the state Punjab, it lies about 25 km east of the border with Pakistan. Amritsar is an important city in Punjab and is a major commercial, cultural, and transportation centre. It is also the centre of Sikhism and the principal site of the Sikh's place of worship.

Amritsar on the Grand Trunk Road has a lot of activities going on. Some of the most beautiful ancient buildings are a part of this city's heritage. The golden temple, the five sarovars and other famous tourist places are related to Amritsar. Apart from the historical monuments, there is a part of city totally pristine and urbanized. It is excellently connected to all the main cities by air, road and rails. Apart from connectivity to major Indian cities, a lot of international cities are also connected extensively by air.

Amritsar - History

Amritsar is one of the major cities of the Punjab state in India. This city was founded by Guru Ram Das in 1574, on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das).

Amritsar - Geography

Amritsar is located at 31.63° N 74.87° E. It has an average elevation of 234 metres (768 ft).

Amritsar - Climate

Amritsar has a continental climate, typical of northwestern India - the winter season (November to March), the hot season (April to June), monsoon season (July to September) and post-monsoon (September to November). The best time to visit Amritsar is between October and March.

Amritsar - Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is the main attraction in the city, and the most important religious place to the Sikhs. It is always full of thousands of pilgrims from all over India. Cover your head, remove your shoes and wander around one of the most amazing places in India. The complex is open from 6 AM until 2 AM and is worth visiting twice: once during the day, once at night, when it's beautifully lit up.

Choose a bandanna to cover your head, free of cost at the entrance. Deposit your shoes, wash your feet at the entrance and head in.

Darshani Deori

This is the main entrance, sporting a distinctly Victorian clock-tower. Amrit Sarovar. The giant pool of water that surrounds and reflects the Golden Temple. Sections (marked off by ropes) are set aside for (male) pilgrims wishing to bathe.

Harmandir Sahib

This is the Golden Temple itself, floating above the Amrit Sarovar, housing the sacred Adi Granth scripture which is recited out loud during the day. This is the most crowded point, accessible by a bridge from the edge of the pool, and entry here is regulated by guards.

Akal Takht

directly opposite the Harmandir Sahib. Meaning "the Timeless, this is where the highest council of Sikhs sits and deliberates. At night, the Guru Granth Sahib is taken to the Akal Takht.

Central Sikh Museum

Devoted to large gallery of paintings, mostly showing the gruesome ways countless Sikhs have been martyred, and various knick-knacks from the gurus.

All Sikhs are expected at some point in their lives to volunteer for a week at the temple, and everyone you see working here is fulfilling that duty. It's likely possible that you can join in if you feel so inclined - you could start by chatting up the people outside peeling vegetables, or those washing dishes.

Amritsar - What to see

Dhan Dhan Khalsa Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple) Gurdwara Manji Sahib, Devan Asthan
Akal Takht (Dhan Dhan Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Bhindranwale Dhan Dhan Baba Shahbeg Singh Ji)
Gurudwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib Ji (Dhan Dhan Baba Deep Singh Ji)
Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib
Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh, built at the site of the martyrdom of Baba Deep Singh
Gurdwara Bebaaksar Sahib
Birth Place of Guru Hargobind Sahib
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran (twenty five km south of Amritsar)
Gurdwara Baba Budha
Guru da Bagh, Kokawali
Gurdwara Bowli Sahib, Goindwal Sahib
Gurdwara Bir Baba Budha, Thattah-Chabhal
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Khadur Sahib
Chheharta Sahib, Guru Hargobind Ji
Baba Bakala, where Bhai Makhan Shah proclaimed that he had found the ninth Sikh Guru in Guru Teg Bahadur
Birth Place of Baba Budha Ji, Kathunangal
Saragarhi Gurudwara
Tala Sahib Gurudwara
Gurudwara Bhai Manjh Sahib Ji
Gurudwara Pau Wind Sahib Ji (Dhan Dhan Baba Deep Singh Ji)
Durgiana Mandir
Sage Valmiki's Ashram Named as Ram Tirath
Mata Lal Devi Mandir
Maha Kali Mandir
Gopal Mandir
Ram Tirath
Shivala Bhaian Temple
Doonge Hanuman, Baazar Tookrian

Amritsar - How To Reach

By Air

Raja Sansi International Airport in Amritsar provides regular service to major Indian cities and cities in other countries

By Train

Amritsar Railway Station is well linked to most of the cities in India. It also has a connection railway line to Pakistan.

By Bus

State run public buses and private buses are available to move in and out from Amritsar. Grand Trunk Road connects Delhi to Amritsar.