Complete Guide For Next Trip Amritsar
Amritsar is a major commercial and cultural centre in the heart of Punjab. Amritsar is mainly famous for the Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib .The second-largest city of the Indian state of Punjab, Amritsar is colloquially known as Ambarsar. Apart from the Golden Temple, Amritsar is known for its lip-smacking street food.
Respectfully marvel at the Indian and Pakistani soldiers who march-off nightly at the Wagha Border, and at the Jallian Wala Bagh the site of the 1919 Amritsar Massacre in 1919. It is believed that Amritsar is the location of Maharishi Valmiki’s ashram where Sita gave birth to her twins, Lav and Kush .
Tens of thousands of devout Sikhs and cultural tourists alike make a pilgrimage to Amritsar every day for one main reason: A visit to the famous Golden Temple. There’s nothing quite like strolling around the glistening structure and sitting down for a communal meal from the temple’s massive, volunteer-run kitchen with dozens of other visitors.
Baisakhi festival brings out Amritsar’s resplendent face with its finest food, clothes and merry-making. Amritsar is the economic capital of Punjab. It is a major tourist centre with nearly a hundred thousand daily visitors. The city has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY scheme of the Government of India.
A day in this peaceful city starts with the spiritual prayers from Gurudwaras. The original name is first the ancient lake, then the temple complex, and later the surrounding city, meaning “pool of ambrosial nectar.”
Places To Visit
GOLDEN TEMPLE
One of the most spiritual places in India, the Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest shrine in all of Sikhism . The crown jewel of Amritsar, the Golden Temple is unquestionably its main center of attraction. Built in the 16th century, the shrine is an open house of worship for people belonging to all walks of life and religious affiliation.
The Golden Temple namely Sri Harmandir Sahib serves as an epitome of glory, harmony and equality. Located right in the heart of Amritsar, the stunning golden architecture of the temple and the daily Langar (community kitchen) attract a large number of visitors and devotees each day. The Golden Temple, a two-story structure covered in real gold and surrounded by a 5.1-meter-deep manmade lake. Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred religious book of the Sikhs, is kept inside this Gurdwara during the day and taken to the Akal Takht at night.
OPENS – Every Day
TIMING – 24 Hour
ENTRY FEE – Free
Wagah Border
One of the best places to visit near Amritsar, Wagah Border is marked with a patriotic high. Located around 30 km from the city centre, it is the only road border crossing that runs between India and Pakistan. A curious border-closing ceremony takes place at sunset every afternoon. It represents the countries’ attitude towards each other.
It holds a beating retreat ceremony that attracts and is a reason to visit Wagah border, Amritsar. It is a daily practice when the lowering of the national flag takes place on both sides of the border by the soldiers, accompanied with elaborate and quick military exercises. This practice has been continuing since 1959. On the Indian side, however, it’s a patriotic party. Bollywood music blasts from speakers as women dance in the street, while those in the stands wave Indian flags. This place has a high degree of security and also has BSF(Border security force) surrounding and scrutinizing the area thoroughly. While just 45-minutes long, the entire ceremony gives you enough memories for hours of storytelling back at home.
TIMING – 04:15 pm to 05:00 pm [WINTER] , 05:15 pm to 06:00 pm [SUMMER]
ENTRY FEE – Free
Jallianwala Bagh
Tucked behind the Golden Temple, tourists will find another important site in Amritsar: Jallianwala Bagh. The public garden memorializes the estimated 1,500 people who were killed or injured when British soldiers were ordered to fire on peaceful protesters who were demanding the release of imprisoned leaders of the Indian Independence Movement in 1919.
Mata Lal Devi Temple
A sacred Hindu temple, Mata Lal Devi Mandir is a unique place of worship that is quite popular among Hindu devotees. The temple is dedicated to a 20th-century female saint known as Mata Lal Devi. An interesting feature of the temple is that it houses numerous Hindu deities and features a number of grottoes and shrines. It is believed that the temple is full of miraculous powers and any woman who prays for children at this temple is granted the wish.
TIMINGS – 5AM -11PM
OPENS – Everyday
TICKET FEE- Free
Ram Tirath Ashram
The place is considered to be the sacred spot where Lord Rama’s sons, Lav and Kush were born. Legends mark this spot as the place where once stood the ashram of sage Valmiki.The star attraction of this temple complex is its idol of Valmiki, author of the Ramayana. Standing eight feet tall and plated in roughly 800 kilograms of gold, it’s a sight to behold. You can also see a sacred water tank, a congregational hall with capacity for 5,000 devotees, a library of Sanskrit texts, and an enlightening museum.
TIMING – 5AM -9PM
OPENS – EVERYDAY
ENTRY FEE – Free
Hall Bazaar
ocated in the heart of the city between the Golden Temple and the Partition Museum, this attraction is thought to be one of India’s oldest markets . A trip to Amritsar can never be considered complete without a visit to Hall Bazaar, one of the iconic marketplaces of the city. A shopper’s paradise, this ancient bazaar is the hub of many things, including gadgets, trendy accessories, phulkari embroidery work, bangles, local handicrafts, traditional garments, Chinese lamps, and even essential items of daily use.
FAQs : Amritsar
Why is Amritsar famous?
It is the centre of Sikhism and the site of the Sikhs’ principal place of worship—the Harmandir Sahib, or Golden Temple.
What is famous in Amritsar to buy?
A visit to Amritsar is incomplete without buying phulkari work dupatta and suit, jutties, woolen shawls, and jewelry so make sure that you buy these famous items while shopping in Amritsar.