Situated between the summer capital of the British Raj, Shimla, and the Pakistani city of Lahore, Amritsar has stood firm through colonial occupation, religious dissent, and the partition of India and Pakistan.In this blog we know more about Amritsar Travel Guide with best tour operator in India Delighted Journey.
The Sikh‘s holy city of Amritsar is the largest city in Punjab. Noisy and congested, but with a lively old city like any other in India, and with the legendary Golden Temple, whose domes rise above the crowded streets.
Amritsar is also a major stopping point for those crossing the Indo-Pak border at Wagha 29 kilometers to the west. The city center feels open and modern, but it only takes a few turns to feel totally off the grid in a maze of noisy, muddy alleys.
Although chaotic and overwhelming, it is that atmosphere which makes Amritsar a wonderful destination to visit. Due to the local atmosphere with many cheap restaurants, plus free entry and food at the Golden Temple, Amritsar was one of the cheapest places for backpackers in India.
- Brief history of Amritsar
- Things to do in Amritsar
- Amritsar Golden Temple
- The Wagah Border Show
- Jalliawala Bagh Memorial Park
- The Partition Museum
- Go shopping and stroll through the central square
- Street food in Amritsar
- How long to visit Amritsar?
- How to reach Amritsar
Brief history of Amritsar by Amritsar Travel Guide
Before exploring the many things to do in Amristar, it is important to mention the city’s rich history. More than 500 years ago, the land on which Amristar was built was purchased for 700 rupees.
Guru Amar Das, the fourth Sikh guru, built Amritsar around an artificial pond that would become the Golden Temple. For many years, it was a wealthy city known for music, arts, performance and philosophy, perched in an optimal location for commerce.
Unfortunately, when the British came to rule, Amritsar was left without its rich assets. The city collapsed like many in India. Other events that have shaped the history of Amritsar include the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, where hundreds of innocent civilians were shot dead by the British.
As well as Operation Blue Star, the confrontation between governments and Sikh militants inside the Golden Temple. The government killed 83 Sikhs and the prime minister was later murdered by her two Sikh bodyguards. A bloody and tragic story, but it is part of this place and to maintain respect for the culture we visit it is important to know it.
Today, the city is characterized by having jovial, helpful and hospitable people. Amritsar is also known for its rich cuisine, sacred temples, folk art and culture. It is also the main exporter of goods from India to the Middle East and the main center of Punjabi publishing. Despite its modern outlook, the city still preserves its heritage and culture.
Things to do in Amritsar by Amritsar Travel Guide
Now, to what brings us to travel the world, discover the wonders of each destination and Amritsar. Although it is a small city, it has certain charms that must be visited on your trip. Mainly, the religious city of Punjab is famous for three things, the Golden Temple, the delicious food of Amritsar and the Wagah border.
After much exploring, the conclusion is that this is definitely a city you don’t want to miss when traveling to India.
Amritsar Golden Temple
Amritsar is a spiritual center of the Sikh faith open to all. It was built by Guru Arjan Dev in the late 16th century. The richly gilded Harmandir rises from the middle of an artificial rectangular lake, connected to the surrounding white marble complex by a narrow causeway.
Every Sikh tries to make at least one pilgrimage here during his lifetime to listen to the sublime music, the readings of the Adi Granth and also to bathe in the purifying waters of the temple tank, the Amrit Sarovar or “Pool of Immortality”.
As the world’s most important Sikh pilgrimage site, you can expect the Golden Temple to be packed. The only place you can’t really take photos is inside the Golden Temple, but depending on the length of the line, you may not even be able to get in.
Visiting the Golden Temple is free. You have to take off your shoes and put on a headscarf that can be borrowed at the entrance.
Eat in the kitchen of the Golden Temple
A weird and wonderful experience in Amritsar is dining at the world’s largest community kitchen, which feeds 100,000 people a day. This is known as a langara to the Sikhs.
Caring for others is a big part of the Sikh religion. Community kitchens are a common theme in temples around the world. You won’t pay a cent for this amazing and hospitable food.
An empty tray is presented and the waiters come to hand out spoonfuls of dahl, curd and chapatis. Food is available all day in the Golden Temple dining room, so you just have to arrive and help yourself.
Volunteering at the Golden Temple
One of the most interesting things to do in Amritsar is volunteer at the Golden Temple Kitchen. Here, you will help the chefs to prepare the food in bulk. It’s a great option to do this as part of your tour, as your guide will meet the chefs personally and help you get the best of the hectic atmosphere before serving the big meal.
The Evening Ceremony of the Golden Temple
If you have the opportunity to visit the Golden Temple at night, it will be an unforgettable experience. While the day is best for photography, the night is more atmospheric.
Every night at 9:30 p.m., the PalkiSahib ceremony, the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, is placed inside the temple. The temple guards carry them while music plays and a crowd gathers, making it a very interesting ceremony to watch.
The best way to appreciate it is to reach the Golden Temple around 8:00 p.m. Eating in the kitchen and waiting for the show, a fantastic way to spend a night in Amritsar.
The Wagah Border Show
Every day at 4:15 pm in winter and 5:15 pm in summer, the India-Pakistan border hosts a colorful and competitive dance performance. Hundreds of people visit to cheer for India every day, and you will see people supporting Pakistan across the border. Attending the Wagah Border show is one of the coolest and most rewarding experiences in Amritsar.
The spectacle begins with a spirited march and dance party by a hundred young patriotic Indians. The passion with which soldiers fulfill this duty is incredible. Shouting, singing, foot tapping, drumming, dancing and trying to outshine the other side makes for a surreal experience.
You can visit the Wagah border, which is an hour’s drive from Amritsar, with a tour. However, it is easy to visit by taxi or tuk-tuk. Every day in the central square, guides will pester you with trips to the show, charging around 1,000 rupees per vehicle. But keep in mind that the show is free to watch.
Jalliawala Bagh Memorial Park
This monument in the heart of Amritsar is dedicated to the hundreds of Indians who were brutally massacred at the hands of the British, for carrying out a peaceful protest.
Indians come from all over to pay their respects at Jallianwala Bagh, making it an important thing to do in Amritsar. If you are British, you will feel no hate or judgment here, only sadness.
The Partition Museum
After seeing the Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre Memorial, going to the Partition Museum is an amazing way to learn about the history and tragedy of Amritsar in detail.
History indicates that Britain ruled India for 100 years, extracting $167 million from the economy, using it to expand her empire, and forcing Indians to live on 2.5 cents a day.
Eight million Indians died of hunger. The British used divide and rule tactics to separate Muslims and Hindus, thereby reducing the threat of united rebellion. The people of India were desperate for the British to leave and launched the Quit India movement.
Upon their departure, the British divided India and Pakistan, knowing that Muslim-Hindu relations were stretched beyond repair, intending for Pakistan to be the homeland of Muslims.
The nation woke up to find that new borders had been drawn and 15 million people were displaced as a result. Partition was the largest migration in human history, fraught with violence. One million Indians died and most people today cannot trace their ancestors as a result of this fact.
As heartbreaking as the story is, in this memorable museum in Amritsar you can understand and learn about the mistakes of humanity that should never have been made. The entrance fee is 250 rupees for foreigners.
Go shopping and stroll through the central square
The outer streets of Amritsar always stay busy, hectic and quite overwhelming. However, the central square near the Golden Temple feels modern and well organized, so it’s a good place to walk around with some impressive architecture.
You can get some total bargains while shopping, especially the beautiful shoes that Punjab is famous for. There are also many stalls selling kulfi, a frozen yogurt with milk and lassis that are typical of Amritsar.
Street food in Amritsar
Amritsar is sometimes known as the secret foodie capital of India. There is no denying that the food in Amritsar is truly exquisite and remarkable.
All the food places are fantastic, very popular and busy. There is a lot of butter, a lot of fatty foods and a lot of protein and lentils. On the days you are in Amritsar, don’t even think about diet.
Excluding the taste, the best part about eating in Punjab is the people. Punjabis are a cheerful group of people who love only one thing more than eating, feeding another person. So enjoy your meals hot and served with lots of love and smiles.
A famous kulcha breakfast cannot be missed. This thick bread dish is a bit like naan and is served with butter, chickpeas, and other tasty sauces. Amritsar is a food lover’s paradise.
You can also choose between aloo puris (potato curry served with fried Indian bread filled with curd) or chole puri (the same bread served with spicy lentils) for breakfast.
For lunch, you can visit the Golden Temple Langar, or try visiting Kulcha Land, where for just 50 -100 rupees they serve excellent stuffed kulchas and lassi. If you have room for dinner, head to Bharwan ka Dhaba or Kesar ka Dhaba, for rajma (red beans) and rice, or tandoori roti and vegetables.
North Indian food in general is a bit heavy on the stomach, but eating food from Amritsar is so exquisite that you can’t stop. In every corner you go or on every street you visit you will always find something being cooked. From aloo tikkis to fresh fruit juice, everything is very tasty and appealing to the eye.
How long to visit Amritsar?
The truth is that you don’t need much time. You could see the Golden Temple in the morning and visit the Wagah Border in the afternoon, packing all the highlights into a single day.
But you can plan a few days to take a food tour, visit the temple both day and night, and even tour the nearby towns. So, about three days are probably enough to get to know the most relevant aspects of Amritsar.
How to reach Amritsar by Amritsar Travel Guide
- Air: You can reach Amritsar by air from Thailand. While most tourists come to India via Delhi, being in Asia, Amritsar is a good starting point.
- Train: Amritsar Junction station will connect you by train to other cities including Delhi in 7 hours.
- Bus or by road: From Amritsar, it is well connected to the hilly area of Dharmshala, to take a bus there as there are no trains for this route, mark IRCTC.
A place that was marked by a painful tragedy, but that, with the drive and hospitality of its inhabitants, managed to become the wonderful tourist destination that it is today. With an admirable culture, exquisite cuisine, incredible temples, and great hospitality from the locals, Amritsar Travel Guide Amritsar is a must-see destination to visit in India.
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