Amritsar India Travel Guide

Amritsar History

The second successor of Guru Nanak was Guru Amar Das, who made the choice of building up a new township. The site of the location that was chosen had an abundant supply of water and a number of natural pools. Guru Amar Das’s son-in-law, Guru Ram Das moved to the site and started excavations for a tank. But his progress was very slow, so he went back to Guru Amar Das who advised him to dig at another location, which was called Amrit-Sarovar. The excavations started in the year 1573 A.D. Unfortunately, Guru Amar Das expired a yeas later, making Guru Ram Das his successor. By 1577 A.D the tank was completed, and Guru Ram Das and his son Guru Arjan Dev began construction of a temple.

The two personally compiled the Adi-Granth scripture, which is considered the head of the Sikh religion, and laid it into the temple. The temple came to be known as Har Mandir.

Slowly, the region around the tank began to be recognised as Amritsar.

This beautiful city has many tragedies to its name. The massacre of thousands of innocent men, women, and children by the British General Dyer in Jallianwala Bagh was the worst of them. After thirty-four years of independence there was a huge militant upsurge for a new nation, and many lives were lost during that period. But, this beautiful city has survived it all and is now full of peace and serenity.

Amritsar Things To Do and Attractions

The Har Mandir Saheb or the Golden temple is the holiest shrine for the Sikh community, and a popular Amritsar thing to do. The edifice has three storeys. The lower one is made completely out of marble, and the upper one is made out of copper with gold plating. Sikhs from all over the world come here to pay homage and take a dip in the holy water of Amrit-Sarovar. The original copy of Guru Granth Sahib is kept inside the temple during the day time. The holy book is handed over to another holy place of the community Akal Takht during the night.

The Jallian Wala Bagh, the site of the British massacre, is a very historic place in Amritsar. The memorial erected on the ground, and the bullet holes on the walls are evidence of that horrific day.

Another popular place in the city is the Ram Bagh Garden, which has a museum inside. Another place of worship is the Durgaina Mandir dedicated to Goddess Durga. This awe-inspiring temple was built in the 16th century.

Amritsar Excursions

About twenty-eight kilometers from Amritsar is the famous Wagah Border. This is the only inland border that India shares with Pakistan. The ceremonial changing of guards and the lowering of flags is done with some pomp and splendour by troops on both sides of the border.

Twenty-five kilometers from the city is a Sikh tank known as Tarn Taran, which is said to have healing powers. There are a number of temples and Gurudwaras on the outskirts of the city. Chandigarh, another enchanting city in Punjab, is not far from Amritsar.

Amritsar Shopping

The city has a couple of malls as well as many enchanting bazaars called lane-bazaars that sell items like carpets and woollen shawls. Bargaining is expected here, and the only way to get a good deal.

Amritsar Restaurants

Amritsar has a many multi-cuisine restaurants, but be sure to try the local Punjabi food while in the city. Dishes like parathas and tandoori cooked meats are the specialities of not only the city but the state also. And don’t forget to try the lassi, or buttermilk, which is also a major speciality of the state.

Amritsar Nightlife

Amritsar has a few pubs that are generally jammed with young crowds along. There are also lounge bars located in most of the star rated hotels. The alcohol available will have different rates according to the status of the bar.

Amritsar Getting There and Around

With a good ambience and climate, the city should be on a must-visit list when in India. Amritsar has an airport eleven kilometers from the city that is well connected to the metropolitan centers of India. It is also very well connected by roadways and railways.

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