Amritsar is the city of Punjab and is considered the holiest city of India. The city is the cultural and religious center of Punjab. After the Taj Mahal, the Golden Temple of Amritsar is the most visited tourist place in India. The Golden Temple is considered the heart of Amritsar and the spiritual center of the Sikh religion. The city has witnessed many dangerous and historical events. Such as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and its proximity to the Wagah Border.
Amritsar is not only famous for its historic values but also for its delicious food and rich dollops of well-known Punjabi hospitality. It is said that the Amritsari street food is the best food in Punjab. The truck drivers pass through the Grand Trunk Road stop on the Dhabas for fresh and hot meals at cheap rates. The city is specialized in its cooking at Dhabas. However, the two must-visit dhabas are – Kesar Da Dhaba and Bharavan Da Dhaba.
How to reach
Being in the northwestern region of the country city is well connected to the major cities like Delhi, Shimla, Surat, Mumbai, Ludhiana, and Patiala via roads and railway networks. Travelers can easily reach Amritsar by their cars and can also opt for inter-state buses as suitable.
At a distance of 11 km from Amritsar, the city has its own airport known as Shri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport. The airport hosts both international as well as domestic flights, therefore travelers can also take flights for visiting.
Amritsar is famous for
When you take a few pages from history with a scent of spirituality. And blend them with the vibrant lifestyle, rich culture, and lip-smacking cuisines of Punjab. You will find that you are Amritsar. The city has won the hearts of many not only because of its spiritual values. But this frenetic city has tons of amazing things to experience. Let’s dig deep into the beauty of this soulful city….
- The Golden Temple:- Located in the old city and the most famous tourist attraction of Amritsar. Tourists from across the world come to see this gurudwara. As it is a two-story structure, covered with layers of gold and surrounded by a holy lake. The Golden Temple is not only a tourist attraction but the most sacred religious place for Sikhs around the world. It is also known as Harmandir Sahib. Amritsar is named after the holy lake surrounded by the gurudwara, which literally means “the pool of immorality”. And is derived from the name “Amrit Sarovar”.
- Jallianwala Bagh:- This place is at a distance of 1km from Golden Temple. It is a must-visit historical location in Amritsar, as the place is related to the Indian Freedom movement. Jallianwala Bagh is the public garden that immortalizes the death of thousands of people who were shot by British soldiers on 13 April 1919 and the incident was called the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. There is a Martyr’s Gallery that tells the story of the horrific day. The walls of the garden still hold the traces of gunshots and the well in which people jumped in order to save their lives.
Attractions of the Golden City
- Wagah Border:- It is a place in the west of Amritsar about 25 km away from the city. This is an open India-Pakistan border where the Beating Retreat and Guard Changing ceremony take place on a daily basis. Here a 45-minute event takes place between the two countries, in which the gates flung open and the soldiers from each side approach each other, shake hands, and begin to lower the respective flags of their nations. The Lowering the Flag ceremony is one of the musts to see things of Amritsar. It is important to reach an hour before the ceremony to hold the seat.
- Hall Bazar:- It is one of the oldest markets in India and the most crowded marketplace of Amritsar. This market is situated in the heart of the city, where you can buy traditional clothes, jewelry, local arts and crafts, books, and electronics. Hall Bazar is also known for its olden architecture such as the Mughal entrance known as Gandhi Gate, with a clock subtitled “Amritsar – Sifti Da Ghar”. Apart from the shopping, this market is home to various mouth-watering food stalls and restaurants.
- Partition Museum:- This is the place where you can witness the brave historical stories of the city. It is situated on the newly established Heritage Street of Amritsar. However, starting from the Golden Temple to ending at Town Hall. The museum is the house of numerous artifacts, paintings, and pictures from the partition. Partition Museum was founded by TAACHT (the Art and Culture Heritage Trust). Moreover, it is partly devoted to the survivors and the victims of the period as well as a memory of the 1947 sub-continent partition.
Conclusion
Amritsar is a city where you can enjoy the rich culture of Punjab and its lively vibes. The city offers many experiences from soulful spiritual temples to its delicious street foods. However, the best time for visiting Amritsar is between the months of October to March, during the winter season. Because at this time the weather here is cold and pleasant. One can easily wander around the city to explore this charming city with old streets stuffed with tasty food and traditional marketplaces.
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