Amritsar

A captivating city steeped deep in history and culture, Amritsar is simply a spellbinding experience. The Golden Temple touches on the religious & spiritual aspect of Amritsar; the Jallianwala Bagh and the Wagah Border depict Indian modern history and the splendid palaces conjure up images of the erstwhile Princely state of Punjab. A shopper’s delight, a foodie’s paradise and an awe-inspiring city for everyone, Amritsar is high on the global travel radar.

Major Attractions in Amritsar

The Golden Temple
Built by Guru Arjun Dev in the middle of a sacred man-made lake, Amrit Sarovar, this holiest Sikh pilgrimage is a dazzling picture of gold. A marble causeway leads you to the sprawling temple complex with its glittering dome gilded in around 100kgs of gold. Also hailed as Shri Harmandir Saheb, the temple welcomes followers from all religions, countries and creeds.

Jallianwala Bagh
?This park commemorates the martyrdom of around 380 dead and over 1200 wounded by British during a peaceful protest in 1919. A poignant symbol of patriotism, the park houses an eternal flame of remembrance and a Martyrs’ Gallery.

Summer Palace and Rambagh Garden
This erstwhile summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the first ruler of the Sikh Empire, houses an intriguing collection of old paintings, manuscripts and coins. It is also home to the pretty Rambagh Gardens and a 3D panoramic depiction of the Maharaja’s life.

Harike Wetland & Bird Sanctuary
Sprawled over the three districts of Punjab, Harike Wetland & Bird Sanctuary was established at the construction site of Harike Barrage in 1953. Home to a wide variety of migratory birds like bellied warbler, white-browed fantail, yellow-legged gull, brown shrike, common wood shrike and white-tailed stonechat, this sanctuary is a birdwatcher’s delight.?

Other Attractions

• Chand Baori
• ISCKON Amritsar Temple
• Kaiser Bagh Park
• Durgania Temple
• Gurudwara Guru ka Mahal

Nearby Excursion

Wagah Border ? A Piece of Modern Indian History
The lone road border crossing between India and Pakistan, Wagah is home to the Radcliffe Line etched during the partition of India in 1947. The illustrious beating the retreat ceremony by BSF and Pakistan Rangers at the border that includes lowering the national flags and closing of the border gates, is a gripping experience.

Fairs & Festivals in Amritsar

• Ram Tirath Fair
• Basant Panchami- Spring Festival
• Baisakhi- Indian Calendar New Year
• Hola Mohalla- Holi Festival
• Lohri-Harvest Festival
• Guru Nanak Jayanti

Shopping in Amritsar
Colorful Phulkari embroidered Indian wear, pretty juttis (footwear), woolens, shawls & stoles and exquisite gold & silver jewelry are some of the shopping delights of Amritsar.

Food in Amritsar
The rich and hearty food of Amritsar is simply drool worthy! From the Langar Prasad??(community meal) in Gurudwaras to the super-rich Amritsari Kulcha & Buttery Ma ki Daal; it’s all delicious. Piping hot jalebis, cold Kulfis & Lassis, Amritsari fish, Ghee Roast Chicken, Mutton Chap? the list is just endless!!

Best Time to Visit
Amritsar is best visited in winters from October to March.

How to Reach
By Air- Amritsar International Airport caters to air traffic from domestic and select international cities.
By Rail- Amritsar is well connected to major Indian cities by a network of direct & express trains.
By Road- A well maintained network of roads & highways connects Amritsar to the major cities in India.