The city of Amritsar in the state of Punjab in northern India is one of the most revered and iconic cities of northern India. It is unofficially considered the spiritual capital of the state, being home to the famous Sikh shrine Harmandir Sahib, also known to visitors as the Golden Temple. While the Golden Temple is definitely the most important of all places to visit in Amritsar, the city does have quite a few additional things to see and do. Here are some tips on the places to visit in Amritsar.
Amritsar was founded in the 16th century by the erstwhile Sikh Guru Ram Dass. The city’s name was derived from the Amrit Sarovar (translation = pool of nectar), the pool of water that surrounds the main sanctum of the Golden Temple. The city was later also a part of the Sikh Empire, the most famous ruler of this kingdom being Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who is also credited with the restoration of the Golden Temple.
Today, Amritsar is an interesting combination of a modern town and historic walled township existing together. The atmospheric old town area has an abundance of narrow lanes called “katras” where the only way to move around is on foot or on rickshaws/autorickshaws. These streets of the old town are where the dedicated shoppers will be found, looking for everything from Phulkari textiles to spices to jewellery.
At the centre of one such warren of lanes is the imposing structure of the Golden Temple, welcoming all inside to pay their respects. The Golden Temple of Amritsar is one of the most visited places in India, with over 100,000 visitors daily. People from far and wide come to Amritsar on a pilgrimage to pray at this Gurudwara. The sanctum sanctorum houses the Holy Book, the temporal authority of the Sikh faith. After paying your respect here, you can head over to the Langar hall for a simple meal of dal and chapati. The kitchens in the Gurudwara provide free meals to all devotees without discrimination. It is a one of a kind experience. Without a doubt, a visit to the Golden Temple is the highlight of a trip to Amritsar.
Not very far away from the Golden Temple is another famous sight from a different chapter of the city’s history. The Jallianwala Bagh is another place that you should visit, although it is not always an easy visit for some. This is the walled park where the British General Dyer had ordered his troops to open fire on an unarmed group of men, women and children who had gathered for a peaceful protest against British rule. A section of the original wall, pockmarked with bullet marks, has been preserved as a reminder of the tragedy. A corner of the park also has a Martyrs’ Monument with an eternal flame in memory of the 2000 Indians killed or injured in the attack.
Another place you can visit in Amritsar is the Partition Museum. The partition of India into the two countries of India and Pakistan led to the largest human migration in human history. An estimated 15 million people were displaced and rendered homeless. This museum aims to inform visitors about events leading up to, and leading from, this moment in history.
Amritsar also has a famous Hindu temple that you might like to visit. The Durgiana Temple is modelled on the Golden Temple in its setting, and was originally founded also in the 16th century. Although primarily dedicated to Goddess Durga, it is also known as Laxmi Narayan Temple since it also features Goddess Laxmi and Lord Narayan as deities. The temple was reconstructed in the 20th century.
Since Amritsar is very close to the India-Pakistan border, the flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah border every evening tends to be a big hit with tourists. Having seen it, I would only recommend making the longish drive out if you have nothing else to do. I don’t have anything against it really, I just find it a bit of an overly dramatised spectacle. However, to each their own. Do your own research and make your own decision 🙂
A fairly recent addition to the list of places to visit in Amritsar, is the Gobindgarh Fort. This is an actual medieval fort, recently handed over by the administration to the local tourism machinery. The fort offers visitors a variety of things like cultural performances, a 7D show about the state’s history and the story of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a museum, crafts shop, and food outlets.
No visit to Amritsar can be complete without trying some of its famous local cuisine. Once you are done with sightseeing, make sure you take out time to try some of the food too. You cannot leave without having Kulcha (it’s a kind of flatbread), Lassi (buttermilk, sort of), Amritsari Fish and local sweets. The area around the Golden Temple and the Lawrence Road section of the city are best known for food!
Hope you enjoyed reading about places to visit in Amritsar, and this has encouraged you to add this city to your India trip plans!
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