Explore Amritsar! | Best places to see, and Journey throughout

A city that changed the course of history, Amritsar with its rich Sikh and Punjabi heritage has a lot to offer visitors. The bylanes of the walled city with the charm of a bygone era; the sparkling Gurudwaras (temples) or the Sikh shrines, paved with the finest marble from Makran and Rajasthan; the walls of Gurudwaras adorned with murals depicting sacrifices made by legendary Sikh Gurus and their families. Amritsar is the Mecca of Sikhs, a city that has stood the test of time and survived with grace, courage and an incredible zest for life.

Amritsar is a holy city in the state of Punjab, India. The name of the city derives from the name of the Amrit Sarovar, a pool around the Golden Temple and means “holy pool of nectar”. The city of Amritsar is a glittering showcase of compound traditions and secular culture. A thriving city with important devout centres and historical sites Amritsar exhibits a glorious past, a magnificent present and a hopeful future. A significant city of the Majha region, it has been entitled the prestigious title of the jewel of Punjab. A prosperous depository of national heritage and religion, it has been renowned as the abode of all merits. There are many offers available from major UK airports for a cheap flight to Amritsar.

Sightseeing:

Take the kids out to the Ram Bagh. This garden with its art museum is one of the best places to relax. The kids can roam around and play in the sprawling garden. If you are looking for an educative and inspiring experience for your children, a drive to the Wagah border to see the ‘closing the border’ parade would be well worth an evening. A trip to the Jallianwala Bagh, with its martyr’s memorial on the eastern end and the wells, is another place of history that we recommend young people visit. A trip to the Martyr’s Gallery here is open from 9 am to 5 pm in summer and from 10 am to 4 pm during winter.

Golden Temple is known worldwide and people visit the Temple with extreme devotion. The Temple also called Sri Harmandir Sahib was laid by Sri Guru Das Ji (sikh guru) in the 14th century. The Temple reflects the fantastic amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. It flaunts a huge dome made out of pure gold. It is surrounded by a large Sarovar (manmade lake), known as the Amrit Sar (Lake of Holy Water or Immoral Nectar). There are four entrances to the Temple on all four sides, signifying the importance of acceptance and openness. There is an arrangement for Bundara (lunch/dinner) throughout the year for the visitors. A shimmering monument in marble, bronze, and gold leaf, and a vivid architectural celebration of Sikhism’s devotion (a faith that actively preaches unity and equality among all religions), The Golden Temple is both fascinating and spiritually invigorating, combining sheer physical beauty with a truly sacred atmosphere. The way in which its devotees worship is enough to hold your attention and your heart completely captive.

Jalianwala Bagh is A historical monument telling the sad story of mass killings during India’s freedom struggle, another must-visit in Amritsar. The site is famous for the memorial of the martyrs of the 1919 carnage carried out by British General Dyer. The place also has a park. The Martyr’s Gallery is open to all from 10 am to 4 pm during winter and from 9 am to 5 pm in summer.

Durgiana Mandir Amritsar also has an enchanting temple dedicated to the goddess Durga. Easily reachable from the Golden Temple, the Durgiana Mandir was supposedly built in the 16th century. Being located in the middle of a lake gives the temple a wonderful overall view. The temple has a massive structure and is architecturally styled along the lines of the nearby Golden Temple.

Baba Atal Rai Tower Located a few km from the city; Baba Atal Rai Tower commemorates the spot where Guru Har Gobind is believed to have died. This nine-storied building, named after the son of Guru Har Gobind, is a landmark of the place. The top offers a panoramic view of the entire area. The first floor of the tower showcases some of the miniatures related to the life and teaching of Guru Nanak Dev.

Wagah Border Wagah, on the Indo-Pakistan border, is 28 kms from Amritsar. Numerous visitors come to see the ceremonious change of guards and the flag hoisting and lowering activities done skillfully and with precision by the border security forces of both countries.

Ram Tirath Temple Located at the Amritsar – Chogawan Road, the Ram Tirath Temple stands pretty with its enormous religious and historical significance. It is believed that the temple is built on the spot where Ramayana was written by Valmiki. Local people say that this is also the same place where Ram and Sita’s twin sons Luv Kush were born.

Entertainment The only culture Punjab knows is Agriculture, it often jokes. This is fast changing. Right inside the Golden Temple Complex, gataka or Sikh martial art performances are held every day. The venue is the roof of the Guru Ka Langar building. On GT Road near Khalsa College is the Naatshala, with a unique revolving stage. It hosts weekend plays and concerts. Besides these, independent local organisations hold musical evenings, especially Punjabi Pop concerts.

Nightlife Among the limited options for some night-time action is Balle Bowl, a small food court with a bar that serves beer, wine, fresh juice and mocktails. A bowling alley, some snooker tables and a few video games have also been placed here.

Mouthwatering Cuisine Amritsar explodes with wonderful and the most exotic dishes, a delight for north Indian food lovers. You eat till you drop has a variety of rich breakfasts, snacks and main course meals. A must-visit place in the city.

Hotels Your search for a hotel for your comfortable stay while visiting Amritsar will give you a variety of choices. Amritsar offers a wide choice of hotels to tourists. They did the lap of luxury and comfort making you feel at home even away from your home. The Amritsar Hotels range from budget hotels in Amritsar to 5-star hotels and luxury hotels Roll up to envisage the grandeur of Amritsar.

You cannot, but help to fall in love with Punjab and Amritsar, with its all-encompassing love for life and vibrancy and colour seeming to draw you into its magic and even before you realize it, you are half in love with the place and the people. Punjab, the land of five rivers has many places which reflect the historical grandeur of the place. The city of Amritsar is a land of remarkable history and Amritsar attracts many visitors from India and all over the world through cheap flights to Amritsar from the UK.

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