Places Of Interest

: The Golden Temple

Also known as Harminder Sahib, it is the most revered shrine of the Sikhs. The name Golden Temple originated as the sanctum sanctorum Akal Takht has its roof covered with pure gold plates. The Sikhs from all over the world come to visit the shrine at least once in their lifetime. The four gates in four cardinal directions are an open invitation to all to visit the shrine. The Central Sikh Museum is atop the Clock Tower. The 'Guru Ka Langar' offers free food to around 20,000 people everyday. The number shoots up to 100,000 on special occasions. A visitor must cover his / her head before entering the temple premises. The Granth Sahib is kept in the Temple during the day and is kept in the Akal Takht or Eternal Throne in the night. The Akal Takht also houses the ancient weapons used by the Sikh warriors. Guru Hargobind established it. The rugged old Jubi Tree in the north west corner of the compound is believed to possess special powers. It was planted 450 years ago, by the Golden Temple's first high priest, Baba Buddha. Guru-ka-Langar or the communal canteen is towards the eastern entrance of the temple complex, and it provides free food to all visitors, regardless of colour, creed, caste or gender. Visitors to the Golden Temple must remove their shoes and cover their heads before entering the temple. The temple is less crowded in the early mornings on weekends.
:: Jallian Wala Bagh

It gained its place in the annals of the Indian freedom struggle when British General Reginald Dyer mercilessly gunned down hundreds of innocent men, women and children who had gathered in the park on the day of Baisakhi in 1919. The park symbolizes the atrocities committed by the British on the Indian soil.

:: Khalsa College

Khalsa College, Amritsar. The oldest college of Amritsar was established in distinctive mix of Mughal and Sikh architecture in the year 1892 by the Singh Sabha Movement. The college campus is spread over more that 300 acres and has that distinctive charm with red minarets and domes against the lush green backdrop.

:: Fort Gobind Garh

The fort was constructed by Maharaja Ranji Singh in the early 18th century. The construction and design of the fort was to defend against the attacks of the Afghans. The fort is not open to public now. It has been taken over by the Indian security forces.

:: Durgiana Temple

Built in the third decade of the 20th Century it echoes, not the traditional Hindu temple architecture, but that of the Golden Temple and, in a similar manner rises from the midst of a tank and has canopies and the central dome in the style of the Sikh temple. One of the greatest reformers and political leaders of resurgent India, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, laid its foundation stone. It is a well-known repository of Hindu scriptures. The complex houses Shree Laxmi Narayan Mandir with a huge pond on its periphery. The water of River Ravi was diverted to fill it up. In the night the Temple lights shimmering in the water present a heavenly sight.

:: Ram Bagh

The landscaped garden with Summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the center. The Maharaja later named it Ram Bagh. It has a museum with relics of Mughal era and hand drawn sketches and portraits of the ruling Sikhs.

:: Mata Mandir

This is the temple built by a devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi. The temple is must visit shrine for all the Hindus visiting Amritsar.

:: Ram Tirath Temple

Ram Tirath Temple is located at a distance of 11 KM from Amritsar. The temple dates back top the period of Ramayana. There is an ancient tank at this place. At the site there is a hut where Mata sita gave birth to Luv and Kush. The site also has Maharishi Valmiki’s hermitage and a well with stairs where Mata Sita used to take her bath. The Temples exhibit scenes from Ramayana.

:: Attari Wagah Border

Attari Border about 28 kms. from Amritsar is the oldest border crossing between India and Pakistan. It’s an interesting experience especially at sunset when the 'Retreat' ceremony takes place with the BSF on the Indian Side of the Border. The daily highlight is the evening "Beating the Retreat" ceremony. Soldiers from both countries march in perfect drill, going through the steps of bringing down their respective national flags. As the sun goes down, nationalistic fervors rises and lights are switched on marking the end of the day amidst thunderous applause.

:: Harike Pattan Bird Sanctuary

In 1982, Harike Pattan was officially declared a bird sanctuary.
In 1992 It has been identified as one of the sites for conservation under the Indian National Wetland Programme.
Harike Pattan is today a vital staging post and winter home to waterfowl, including some globally threatened species.
Spread over 93 square miles, Harike wetland in Punjab’s Taran Taran District is the second largest bird sanctuary of India. It’s home to rare varieties of avifauna arriving here from different parts of Europe and northern Asia for stay during a major part of the year.
Throughout the year, autumn, spring and winter, Harike Pattan becomes a refuge to over 361 species of birds, 140 of who believed to breed here. Some of the birds that can be spotted are the Cotton Pygmy Goose, Tifted Duck, Yellow crowned Woodpecker, Yellow eyed Pigeon, Watercock, Pallas's Gull, Brown headed Gull , Black headed Gull, Yellow legged Gull, Indian Skimmer, White winged Tern, White rumped Vulture, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrow hawk, Eurasian Hobby, Horned Grebe, Black necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, White browed Fantail, Brown Shrike, Common Wood shrike, White tailed Stonechat, White crowned Penduline Tit, Rufous vented Prinia, Striated Grass bird, Cetti's Bush Warbler , the Sulphur bellied Warbler and Diving duck etc .
The sanctuary is home to the endangered Testudine Turtle and Smooth Indian Otter listed in the IUCN ( The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red list of Threatened Animals. Harike is also well known for its market for sweet water fish.
The sanctuary came into existence with the construction of a barrage at the confluence of the river Beas and Satluj for water storage and providing irrigation and drinking water.
Best Time To Visit : Between November and March
How to Reach There : The nearest railway station and airport are both at Amritsar ( 60 km away)
Places To Stay : There are any number of government approved hotels at Amritsar.

THE GOLDEN TEMPLE

THE HARIMANDIR SAHIB ::

Sri Harimandir Sahib , (now called the Golden Temple Amritsar), is a living symbol of spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs. The Holy tank and the temple have been a source of inspiration to the Sikh community ever since their foundation. The foundation of Sri Harimandir Sahib is the most significant achievement of the Sikh Gurus as a centre of inspiration and action for the Sikhs. Soon after its foundation the temple became an unparalleled establishment as a place of pilgrimage. The origin of the place where Sri Harimandir Sahib stands is shrouded in mystery. Some traditions trace its origin from the pre-historic period as a place of considerable religious importance in the form of an Amrit Kund (Spring of Nectar).
Legends and miracles are connected with the origin of the Amrit Sarowar (Tank of Nectar). Sri Guru Amar Das Jee found at the edge of the pool the desired herb to cure the skin ailment of Guru Angad (the second Guru of the Sikhs). However, the persistent local tradition best highlighting the medicinal properties of the water of the pond is the story of Rajni, daughter of Rai Duni Chand, a Kardar (revenue collector) of Patti, and the subsequent cure of her leprous husband after taking a dip into the pond.
The tank was named Amar Sarowar or Amritsar. The fame of the sacred tank led to its identity with the latter appellation and the city got its final name 'Amritsar'.
Sri Harimandir Sahib got the name of Golden Temple when its upper part sheathed in richly embossed and highly gilded sheets was covered with gold all around it during the period of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Maharaja Ranjit Singh granted rupees 5 lakhs for placing golden plates on Sri Harimandir Sahib in I803. It is evident from the inscription on the gold plate engraved over the entrance gate on the north-eastern side of the central shrine that the gold service of the temple was got done by Maharaja Ranjit Singh through the supervision of Bhai Sant Singh Giani in 1830. Bhai Sant Singh Giani appointed Mohammad Yar Khan Mistri as technical expert for the task of gold-plating. The greater part of the architectural structure of the present building of Sri Harimandir Sahib was constructed and decorated in the nineteenth century. The architecture of the Golden Temple represents the highest achievement of the Sikhs in art and architecture. The allied arts of decoration, naqashi and frescoes inside the temple display the skilled craftsmanship of the Indian artists of the nineteenth century. No building in the world can vie with the Golden Temple where nature and art have been treated in such a harmonious blending so beautifully.
The Golden Temple (also called Sri Darbar Sahib) is not only a place of worship but a rallying centre of the Sikh community. Sri Harmandir Sahib is the heritage of the Sikh people gathered in their five hundred years old history. Legends and miracles are connected with the holy tank while great martyrdoms and triumphs are associated with various spots of the temple precincts. The temple had been a symbol of the Sikh struggle for independence in the eighteenth century. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries all important Sikh movements have been led from the precincts of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).

The holy city Amritsar derives its name from the sacred pool surrounding its most recognised structure - the Golden Temple. This gilded temple in Amritsar exudes a radiance as you take a tour through the walkway over the pool and watch the daily activities performed by devotees. Amritsar is also home to the Jallianwala Bagh, which stands testimony to India's struggle for freedom. This historic structure in Amritsar is home to a park, a Martyr's Gallery Museum, a tear-shaped memorial and an eternal flame. Another beautiful temple in Amritsar is the Durgiana Mandir, dedicated to Goddess Durga. Amritsar is also home to several other Gurudwaras dedicated to the various Sikh Gurus. Located close to Amritsar is the Wagah Border, which is the international border between India and Pakistan. Amritsar is known for its typical Punjabi food, which includes ample non-vegetarian. Amritsar is also known for its traditional handicrafts and Punjabi clothing.

The hotels in Amritsar are located close to the famous Golden Temple. Every hotel in Amritsar provides comfortable accommodation along with a host of amenities. There are a number of budget hotels in Amritsar, which provide several important facilities. Some Amritsar hotels are also situated within walking distance of other attractions in Amritsar. Almost all Amritsar hotels have their in-house restaurant serving good Punjabi food. Book a hotel in Amritsar that would provide comfortable rooms and services. Finding a hotel in Amritsar is not difficult, even during festivals and other events in Amritsar.

Hotels In Amritsar

Hotels in Amritsar City

M K Hotel
Distt Shopping Centre, Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar - 143001

Mohan Intl Hotel
Albert Rd, Amritsar H O, Amritsar - 143001

Ritz Plaza Hotel
45, The Mall, Amritsar H O, Amritsar - 143001

Grand Hotel
Opp Railway Station, Queens Rd, Amritsar H O, Amritsar - 143001

C J Intl Hotel
Nr Golden Temple,Opp Langer Hall Bldg, Amritsar H O, Amritsar - 143001

Astoria Hotel
1, Queens Rd, Amritsar H O, Amritsar - 143001

Lawrence Hotel
6, Lawrence Road Amritsar, Amritsar - 143001

Heritage Inn Hotel
1234, Besides Golden Temple, Baba Atal Rd, Amritsar - 143001

Airlines Hotel
Cooper Rd, Amritsar H O, Amritsar - 143001

Royal Castle Hotel
309, Albert Rd, Amritsar H O, Amritsar - 143001

Basera Hotel
223, Amritsar Dist, Queens Rd, Amritsar H O, Amritsar - 143001

Travel To Amritsar