Amritsar

With a serene presence of Golden Temple - a major pilgrimage place and holy city of Sikhs, Amritsar radiates a spiritual calmness and faith that people just bow their heads in sheer reverence.

The spiritual temporal centre of Sikh culture, Amritsar derives its name from the name of pool around the Golden Temple. The "holy pool of nectar" (Amrit: elixir; Sar: (short for sarovar) lake).

Globally renowned for Golden Temple and for the tragedy of Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar is one of the liveliest tourist destinations in India

A big religious and cultural center of the Sikh community, Amritsar was discovered by Guru Ramdaas Ji, the fourth religious preceptor 1574 and the Golden Temple was also initiated by him., The Temple was completed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in 1601.

Just 51 km east of Lahore, Pakistan, Amritsar is situated in the northwestern part of India in the State of Punjab. The city also lies on the Asian Highway.

The Golden temple complex is literally the heart of the city which is surrounded by many narrow lanes which consists of one of the busiest markets in India. Several other Gurudwaras in this city are some of the greatest attractions for tourists.

Offering a distinct character in areas of culture and ethnicity, the people of bustling city of Amritsar are rightfully very proud of the city and their very beautiful sites of tourist interest.

Places to See

Golden Temple

Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple, as it is popularly known is a central place of worship for the Sikhs. Guru Arjan Sahib, the Fifth Nanak himself designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara.

It is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of the Sarovar(tank) and the temple is 40.5ft. square with doors in all four directions.

An arch called as Darshani Deori is made at the shore end and spors a Victorian clock tower. The door frame is 10ft in height and approximately 9ft in breadth. Decorated with an artistic style, the door panes open to the bridge which leads to the main building of Sri Harmandir Sahib. The bridge runs round the main shrine and it leads to the ‘Har ki Paure’ (steps of God).

Divided into sections, marked off by ropes for male pilgrims wishing to bathe, Amrit Sarovar is a holy pool of water which reflects the Golden Temple.

One can always listen to the recitals from Harmandir Sahib during the day which houses the sacred Adi Granth. Accessible by a bridge, this is the main premises of the Golden Temple. A dome made of pure gold is places on the top of this building. Though primarily being a sacred pilgrimage spot for the Sikhs, is is always open for visitors from all over the world.

Akal Takht is situated just opposite to the Harmandir Sahib. The place relates to where the highest council of Sikhs sits and deliberates. The meaning of word Akal Takht is “The Timeless”. The Guru Granth Sahib is secured in the Akal Takht at night.

Central Sikh Museum is on second floor and one can have a glimpse of a large gallery of paintings depicting mostly of the gruesome ways of countless martyred Sikhs have and many knick-knacks from the religious gurus.

The stunning complex is the main attraction in the city and the pilgrims are always excited to be at this place. Such is the beauty of the temple that most of the visitors pay two visits there i.e. once during the day, once at night, when it's beautifully lit up.

Considered one of the best architectural specimens of the world and displaying harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus, The Golden Temple is a symbol of faith which has been made accessible to every person without any distinction of religion, Caste, creed and sex.

 

Mata Temple

A prime Amritsar tourist attraction of Amritsar, Mata Temple is located at the Rani Ka Bagh area of the city. Devoted to a female saint Mata Lal Devi, the unique design of the cave temple resembles a bit with a fun-house flavor.

The temple has considerable archaeological importance and is an eternal favorite with the Hindu pilgrims and other religiously inclined people too.

Also providing fun to the visitors passing through tunnels and a roundabout path, one has to walk in six inches deep water in the midst of the caves reaching the hall of mirrors.
The design of the temple is unique, with a bit of a fun-house flavor. Those who enter the temple are directed to follow the staircase on the left. They proceed along the outdoor walkways on the second floor, passing statues and shrines dedicated to various gods and the Mata Lal Devi. The temple is still in the process of expanding.

Jallianwala Bagh

Witness to the tragedy called “Jallianwala Bagh Massacre”, Jallianwala Bagh is situated near to the Golden Temple and is a 5-minute walk from Sri Darbar Sahib.

On Baisakhi day, on April 13, 1919 British Indian Army soldiers opened fire on an unarmed gathering of men, women and children celebrating a festival in a big park killing 1579 people within 10 minutes and 1650 rounds of fire.

A beautiful red sand-stone commemoration Dias was built in the memory of those unknown martyrs was built on the site and was inaugurated on 13 April 1961 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of India.

One can still see the bullet holes on the walls and adjoining buildings. The martyr’s well into which many people jumped and drowned to save themselves from the hail of bullets is also a protected monument inside the park.

The display of the photographs and letters in a Martyrs Gallery is also worth watching there.

 

Wagah Border

Located 28 kms away from Amritsar, Wagah Border is a must visit place for tourists in Punjab. While in Amritsar, you always have an opportunity to visit Wagah Border in the late afternoon.

During the partition between India and Pakistan in 1947, Wagah was divided into an Indian Village and a Pakistani Village by the controversial Radcliffe Line and an army outpost was laid there. Along the border, the convoluted buildings, barriers and roads mark the territories of both the countries.

The verdant landscapes add to the breathtaking scenery on both sides of the border near the Swarna Jayanthi gate also dividing India and Pakistan by a 66000 volts electrified fencing to check infiltration from either side.

Join the charming and colorful evening with the "Beating the Retreat" ceremony similar to the “Change of Guard” ceremony of Britain. Bringing down of the respective flags of both countries is a unique part of the ceremonial parade. The soldiers of both the countries take their departure after the sunset amidst the beatings of the drums and beguiles and beautiful setting of lights to make it more picturesque. The entire ceremony lasts nearly for forty five minutes.

 

Durgiana Temple

Dedicated to goddess Durga and Hindu deities Laxmi and Narayan, all the visitors are inclined to include “Durgiana Temple” in their must do list. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, one of the greatest reformers and political leaders of resurgent India laid the foundation of the temple.
A 16th century Hindu temple of Durgiana and a famous repository of Hindu scriptures, it resembles with the golden temple in its structural design. Rising in a similar manner from the midst of a tank, it has canopies and a central dome.

The temple dates back to the 16th century and depicts various incarnations of goddess Durga through intricately carved paintings.
Though various other deities found their place in the interior of the temple, mother goddess is the prevalent deity of the temple. Erected in the midst of a tank the temple holds awnings and a middle arena in the style of the Sikh temple. A renowned depository of Hindu scriptures, this temple displays an unusual grandeur and elegance of its own.

Shri Durgiana Temple is one of main attractions of Amritsar. The temple, also called Shree Durgiana Tirath or Sitla Mandir, is situated outside the Lohgarh Gate in Amritsar. It is situated a few yards away from the Amritsar railway station and about 1.5 km from the Bus Stand. So, it is ideally approachable by road, rail and air. Build in 16th century; the temple closely resembles Golden Temple, in style and architecture. The temple was inaugurated by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and has Goddess Durga as the principal deity.

Also called the Silver Temple due to its carved silver doors, one can also visit some historic temples such as the Sita Mata Mandir and Bara Hanuman Mandir.