A bustling city with an indomitable spirit, Amritsar holds one of the holiest of Sikh ethos at its heart - the Golden Temple. Covered in 400 kg of gold and surrounded by a serene sarovar (pond), one is immediately swamped by the humbling sight of the glistening structure, which is also home to one of the biggest community kitchens (langar) in the country that serves about 20,000 people a day. Though visitors often make a beeline for the temple, the old-world charm of the city slowly sneaks up on them, making them fall in love with a city that buzzes with spirited and lively nuances. Be it the bullet-ridden walls of Jallianwala Bagh or the energetically charged scene of the Wagah Border, one has to step into the city to feel the passion of thousands of people who laid down their lives for the country. The many Indo-British style buildings that dot the city's landscape stand as a testimony to its rich history and significant contribution to the Indian freedom movement. Moreover, the city is known for its food pilgrimage that is undertaken in its frenetic and fantastic bazaars that win you over with their diversity and vibrancy. From an array of dishes like butter-drenched paranthas (Indian flatbread), creamy lassi (a drink made of yoghurt), dahi-balla and aloo-tikki (deep-fried savouries), the city's food is rife with flavours and aromas. However, what makes travelling to the city truly unforgettable is the warmth of its people. Amritsar gets its name from the holy tank called Amrit Sarovar, meaning pool of nectar, which surrounds the Golden Temple. Legend has it that the fourth guru of the Sikh faith, Guru Ram Das, founded the city around 1574 AD. It is said, Guru Amardas, the third Sikh guru, bought a piece of land, amid thick forests, to build a tank. But he died before it could be built. Folklore says Guru Ram Das invited 52 traders from nearby places to settle. They built 32 shops, which still exist in Amritsar, and are popularly known as Batisi Hatta. The construction for Amrit Sarovar was completed by his successor Guru Arjan Dev. Interestingly, Amritsar also finds a mention in the Hindu epic, Ramayana, as the place where Lord Rama and Goddess Sita's twin sons, Luv and Kush, were born. Amritsar was further developed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, founder and king (1801–39) of the erstwhile kingdom of Punjab. Amritsar Heritage Walk The term refers to a guided tour which covers the town of Amritsar knee deep exploring the majority of parts of the town and a comprehensive look at the city's 4 century old history. The walk covers a distance of about 3 kilometers; you will get to visit all the Akhara Bungas, Hattis, Havelis and Katras that characterize the majestic town. Central Sikh Museum It exhibits paintings of saints, Sikh gurus, warriors and other important Sikh leaders. One can also find a rich collection of ancient manuscripts, arms and coins here. Along with a well-stocked library, the museum houses paintings by Sikh artists, musical instruments, pencil sketches and guns. Relics from Guru Gobind Singh's personal collection are also housed, which include a wooden comb (kangha), bow and arrows, iron chakras (circles) worn on the turban by a warrior and an iron jacket made of wires (sanjoe). Gobindgarh Fort Spread across 43 acre, this beautiful fort dates back 300 years. Long ago, the world-famous Kohinoor diamond used to be kept inside this fort. The fort was originally built as a mud fortress called Bhagian da Qila by a local chieftain, Gujar Singh Bhangi. The chieftain belonged to a clan called Misls, who ruled the area at that time. The fort was under him for almost 49 years after which Amritsar was ruled by Gurdit S Bhangi, a descendant of Gujjar Singh. Legend has it that a trader, Arur Mal, was asked by the royal family to pay tribute to the Bhangi township. Refusing to do so, he went to a rival town and conspired with Shaikh Kamaluddin and Maharaja Ranjit Singh to invade the fort. Ranjit Singh attacked the city through the Ahluwalia gate and took over the fort. Since the fort holds great historical prominence, the Government of Punjab has declared it as a historical monument. Moreover, there are several other constructions within the fort, including Toshakhana and Khas Mahal, along with bastions, moats, wells and havelis built during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the leader of the Sikh empire. There are several remnants of the British rule as well, including the Durbar Hall and the Anglo Sikh Bungalow. One will also find a bell, which was made in Sheffield, the UK. Golden Temple Amritsar is world-famous for the beautiful and highly revered Golden Temple or Sri Harmandir Sahib, which is one of the most prominent spiritual sites in the country. The temple is a two-storeyed structure with its top half covered in almost 400 kg of pure gold leaf, which is what earned it its English moniker. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the leader of the Sikh empire, is believed to have initiated the construction in the 19th century. The rest of the temple complex is built in white marble, inlaid with precious and semi-precious colourful stones. To create motifs, the pietra dura technique has been used. The grand temple complex is awe-inspiring in its size. One must cover one’s head and remove his/her footwear before entering the Golden Temple, as a mark of respect. As one listens to the beautiful notes of gurbani (spiritual songs), the serene spirituality of the temple soothes the soul. One can also partake of the free meal that is offered here to around 20,000 people every day at the Guru Ka Langar (community meal), regardless of caste, creed or gender. The entire process is managed by volunteers and is one of the most humbling experiences you can have. The architecture of the temple is spectacular and a 67 ft square of marble makes up the base of the structure. The glistening temple is surrounded by Amrit Sarovar (pool of nectar), whose waters are said to have healing powers. One can also watch colourful fish swim in the lake’s clear blue waters as devotees take a dip in it. The temple has been designed keeping in mind the basic tenets of Sikhism that advocate universal brotherhood and all-inclusive ethos. Thus, it is accessible from all directions. The main entrance boasts an imposing clock tower, which also has a Central Sikh Museum. From here, one can sight spectacular views of the shrine and its elegant silhouette in the Amrit Sarovar. A second entry is through the silver doors of the gorgeously embellished Darshani Deori, which leads onto the causeway that links the sanctum sanctorum with the Parikrama, the marbled surface surrounding the sarovar. In the north-west corner of the complex is the Jubi tree, which is believed to possess special powers. It is said to have been planted 450 years ago by the Golden Temple’s first high priest, Baba Buddha. During the day, the holy book of the Sikhs – the Granth Sahib – is kept inside the temple. At night, it is taken to the Akal Takth or Eternal Throne, that houses ancient weaponry earlier used by Sikh warriors. There are other famous temples surrounding Sri Harmandir Sahib, including the Durgiana Temple as well as a beautiful garden and the tower of Baba Atal. It is said that sage Valmiki wrote the epic Ramayana in this sacred place. Golden Temple Interpretation Centre Golden Temple Interpretation Centre is an intriguing multimedia museum that tells important stories from Sikhism through four 15-minute videos that are first projected on an inverted pyramid and then a 180-degree cinema. After this, they are screened over a 3D scale model of the Golden Temple and then on a projector in a shrine-like room. The videos also do interesting storytellings on the significance of the Golden Temple. The centre lies outside the clock-tower entrance to the Golden Temple, underneath a marble square. Gurudwara-Sri-Tarn-Taran-Sahib Established by the 5th Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, the site is distinguished by its having the largest sarovar (pond) among all the Gurudwaras in Punjab and is a major pilgrim spot for the Sikhs. It was founded in the year 1590 marked by the digging of the lake, which became the biggest lake in Punjab at that time. The foundation stone of Darbar Sahib was laid by Dhan Dhan Baba Buddha Ji, a famous Sikh saint (1506–1631). Harike Wetland And Bird Sanctuary Also known as Hari-ke-Pattan, this is the largest wetland in northern India and is located at the confluence of Beas and Sutlej rivers. Situated in the Tarn Sahib District in Punjab, Harike Wetland and Bird Sanctuary was formed in 1953 and is spread across Amritsar, Ferozepur and Kapurthala. The wetland ecosystem covers an area of 4,100 hectare and is an internationally recognised Ramsar site (a wetland designated to be of international importance). Winter is a good time to visit this place as a number of migratory birds visit here from the Himalayas, Siberia and Europe. Some of the species one can sight here include the large cormorant, purple moorhen, bar-headed goose, white-winged tern, tufted duck and white-eyed pochard. The wetland also houses several types of snakes, turtles and fish. One can also find the rare Indus river dolphin. Inside the sanctuary is the serene Harike Lake, where most of the sightings are possible. Jallian Wala Bagh Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar is the site of one of the biggest tragedies in Indian history. On April 13, 1919, this park, spread across 7 acre, saw about 2,000 Indians indiscriminately shot dead at the hands of British soldiers lead by General O’Dyer. This incident is known as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre or the Amritsar massacre. Historical records tell that on the fateful day of the Punjabi harvest festival of Baisakhi, 15,000 to 20,000 people had gathered to celebrate. Apart from this, some people had also come together to hold a peaceful demonstration against the repressive Rowlatt Act that provided for stricter control of the press, arrests without warrant and indefinite detention without trial. The British got wind of it and surrounded the park armed with rifles. Then, on General O’Dyer’s orders, shots were fired indiscriminately over men, women and children. The wall near the end of the park still holds the marks of around 36 bullets. After the shooting, several dead bodies had to be taken out of the well which people jumped into to avoid being shot. A memorial is built here to commemorate the 2,000 Indians who were killed or wounded. The story of this appalling massacre is told in the Martyr’s Gallery at the site. The incident was instrumental in changing the course of the Indian freedom struggle. It fuelled anger among people, leading to the Non-cooperation Movement of 1920-22. After the incident, Mahatma Gandhi declared, “The impossible men of India shall rise and liberate their motherland.” “This disproportionate severity of punishment inflicted upon the unfortunate people and method of carrying it out is without parallel in the history of civilised govt.” wrote Rabindranath Tagore, a noble laureate, while returning his knighthood to the British. It is a must-visit site while going to Amritsar. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum This museum offers information about the history, culture and architecture of the Sikhs in the 18th and 19th centuries. Once the summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the first king of the Sikh empire, it is located in the middle of Amritsar’s well-known Ram Bagh Garden, just 4 km from the Golden Temple. The palace was converted into a museum in 1977. The museum houses many relics from the maharaja's court. These include paintings, miniatures, coins, arms and armour. Near the museum lies the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama, a permanent visual documentation of the maharaja’s life. The panorama is housed in a two-storeyed circular building that boasts magnificent paintings, depicting six of his major battles. One can also find life-size paintings and dioramas (three-dimensional scenes) from the maharaja's early life. Partition Museum Partition Museum is located at Town Hall and is one of the important reserves of Indian history. It houses a vast collection of artefacts donated by those who survived the partition of India and Pakistan. These artefacts are the things that people carried when they migrated to their designated part of the border. The museum was inaugurated on August 25, 2017, with the aim to act as a repository of the archives, documents, stories and history of the partition. Documentation of the struggles of artists, lyricists and poets during the partition has also been preserved in the museum through their paintings and poetry. To make history more eloquent, audio-visual stations, which show interviews of survivors, have been set up across all 14 galleries. Pul Kanjari Located around 35 km from Amritsar and Lahore, Pul Kanjari is where Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the leader of the Sikh empire, would stop for a break while passing by with his retinue. The site is situated near the villages of Daoka and Dhanoa Kalan, right on the Wagah Border. The complex is steeped in historical charm and houses a baoli (a stepwell for bathing) within it. On the corner of the baoli is a dome, the interiors of which are decorated with scenes from Hindu scriptures as well as the Raj Darbar (royal court). A temple, mosque and gurudwara are also housed within its boundaries – a clear indication of the secular nature of the great king. Pul Kanjari was an important trading centre in the 18th century. It is said that it was named after a small bridge, which Maharaja Ranjit Singh had built over the canal, connecting Amritsar and Lahore, for his favourite dancer Moran, an artiste from the nearby village of Makhanpura. Ram Bagh Palace Must pay a visit to 'MUGHAL PATTERN OF SHALIMAR GARDENS OF LAHORE', built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Sher-e-Punjab, named it in honour of Guru Ram Das Ji. The red stone work was executed by workmen brought from Delhi. The Maharaja used it as residence during his visit to Amritsar. This is a protected monument under Punjab ancient and Historical Building Site Act, 1964. The protection of the monument is taken up under Western Circuit as Natural Site. Sadda Pind A unique open-air museum that showcases the culture, heritage and traditions of Punjab, Sadda Pind houses a rare collection of artefacts and buildings. Sprawled over 12 acres, the area has been developed as a rustic landscape to portray the village life of Punjab. From brick and stone houses of goldsmiths, ironsmiths, farmers, potters etc., to those of zamindars (land owner) and the sarpanch (village headman), several constructions aptly show the lifestyle of Punjabi villages. Local artistes perform to traditional melodies all day in the baraat ghar and the village haveli. From bhangra, gidda, kikli and jhumar, there's a lot on display. A must-watch is the performance of gatka, a form of Sikh martial arts. Visitors can also indulge in cooking authentic recipes like makki-di-roti (a bread made from maize) and sarson-ka-saag (a dish prepared with mustard greens). Churning butter and popping popcorn on an open hearth are some of the other unmissable experiences. Sadda Pind is dotted with kiosks set up by local potters, blacksmiths, weavers and other artisans who display their wares. Some of the best buys include phulkari dupattas, jutis, parandis, musical instruments, clay toys, shawls and agricultural implements. For an intimate rendezvous with Punjabi culture, where you can connect with your roots and revel in the rich heritage, a visit to Sadda Pind is highly recommended. Serai Amanat Khan Sarai Amanat Khan was built by the Mughals as a caravan sarai (resting place) on the Grand Trunk Road, in a small village south-west of Amritsar. One of the many sarais put up by them, it was built with a purpose to be a rest-stop on the way to Lahore from Agra. This sarai has been named after Amanat Khan, who was the calligrapher of the Taj Mahal. It is said to be the dwelling and then the resting place of Khan, who is credited with inscribing verses from the Koran on the Taj Mahal. The gate leading to the sarai is a beautiful structure that draws influences from the Mughal style of architecture. Its blue-glazed tile work is particularly remarkable. Two other gateways, Lahori Darwaza and Dilli Darwaza, lie on either side of a large open courtyard that has a mosque and a makeshift stable. The Akal Takt The Akal Takht is one of the 5 Takhts of the Sikh religion and is located in the Golden temple complex. It symbolizes the dispensing of Justice and temporal activity of the Sikh religion and is the highest seat of the ‘Khalsa’ (a military and civil authority in Sikh culture) division, and was built by the 6th Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji. The place was established as a symbol of opposition to the tyranny of the 17th and 18th century rulers. The Akal Takht also houses the ancient weapons used by the Sikh warriors. Wagah Border The Wagah Border is an army outpost on the Indian and Pakistani border, lying between the cities of Amritsar and Lahore (Pakistan). It is around 28 km from Amritsar and is one of the main access points overland to the neighbouring country of Pakistan. Among its many buildings, roads and barriers, one can witness the impressive Beating the Retreat ceremony, held here every day. During the ceremony, an infantryman stands at attention on both sides of the gate. Then, the gates are flung open and the two soldiers, one from both India and Pakistan, approach each other, mimic anger and exchange fierce looks. After this, they shake hands and begin to lower both the Indian and the Pakistani flags on either side of the gate simultaneously. People from both countries gather to witness the impressive proceedings. On the Indian side of the border stands a huge gate with an encryption reading 'Swarn Jayanti Dwar' (Golden Jubilee Gate) and one can enjoy a panoramic view of the Wagah Border from here. The Lowering the Flag Ceremony is a must-see in Amritsar as the high-decibel spectacle leaves one in awe. As night approaches, lights are switched on to mark the end of the day. There is patriotic fervour in the air as people start singing the National Anthem and applauding the ceremony. The energy makes for a rare display of pride in one’s country and nationality. Another attraction nearby the Wagah Border is a complex housing the samadhi of Sham Singh Attari, who was a celebrated general in the army of the Sikh empire. Samadhis of his family members are also there along with a water tank. Nearby is the Atari Railway Station. War Heroes Memorial And Museum Dedicated to the brave hearts of Punjab, the War Heroes Memorial and Museum is a tribute to the immortal spirit of patriotism of the state. The building incorporates both modern and traditional architectural influences and houses a stunning gallery where various artefacts can be viewed. From photographs, paintings and illustrations to weapons and interactive panels, the museum is equipped to the hilt. A particular highlight is the collection of photographs from the 1965 and 1971 wars. A mural, which commemorates the 21 Sikh soldiers who were martyred in the 1971 war, occupies a pride of place in the gallery. The museum holds almost three eras of history within its precincts - Pre-British, British and Post-Independence. A 7D auditorium gives an interesting insight into the history of the military and war. The chief attraction of the place is a 45-metre stainless steel sword that represents the courage and valour of the soldiers who defended the country during various wars. You can also find exhibits of decommissioned aircraft carrier ship MiG-23, three tanks and INS Vikrant, a majestic aircraft-carrier of the Indian Navy that played a key role in naval blockades during the 1971 War. The museum lies close to the Indo-Pak International Border and can be visited before attending the thrilling Beating Retreat Ceremony at the Wagah border.
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