A travel Guide to Amritsar

Amritsar Tourism

‘The Home to the Golden temple’ or Amritsar India is one of the most picturesque destinations. This glorious city in Punjab derives its name from two different words. One is ‘Amrit’, which means nectar and ‘Sarovar, which means pool. Filled with some of the most serene gurudwaras and temples, people from national and international cities flock to Amritsar to catch a mere glimpse of the mesmerising locations.

The temple city portrays the best of the Sikh culture, an integral part of the Amritsar tours, besides holding an important place in India’s mythology. It is believed to be the birthplace of Luv and Kush. Other Amritsar tourist attractions include its proximity to the Wagah border and the famous Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The place serves as the administrative headquarters of the state of Punjab. Plan an Amritsar Travel Guide to discover the hidden gems and other popular locations of the place.

The city witnesses tourist crowds throughout the year, it gets really hard to find Hotels in Amritsar, prior bookings are advisable.

Places to visit in Amritsar

1. Golden temple

Golden Temple, also famous as Sri Harmandir Sahib, tops the list of Amritsar Travel Guide. The construction of the temple is believed to be initiated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh dated back to the 19th century. The upper part of this temple is covered with 400kg pure gold leaf, while the rest of the construction is pure white marble laid with semi-precious and precious stones. A unique pietra dura technique is being used to create motifs.

2. Wagah Border

Wagah Border is just 28KM away from Amritsar. Tourists make their way to this India-Pakistan border and wait eagerly for the “beating a retreat” ceremony. Army men from both the countries march to the middle and lower their flags as a part of the ceremony. The crowd cheers them in the process. Being one of the most impressive Amritsar Tourist Places, the area is filled with crowd most of the time. Get there by 3 pm to book a favourable spot.

3. Jalianwala Bagh

Jalianwala Bagh lies among the top wonders that Amritsar tourism has to offer. This garden has ties with one of the most unfortunate days of Indian history. In April 1919, under the supervision of General O’Dyer, the British army open fired on a group of people who had gathered to attend a peaceful freedom movement. Jalianwala Bagh still tells the horrific tale that scarred Indian history forever.

4. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum

Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the first and foremost ruler in the glorious Sikh empire. The museum was originally a palace made especially for the emperor for his summer leisure activities. But, now it serves as an important part of Amritsar tourism containing the best of the city’s history. Get a clear picture of the Sikh empire through the exhibitions of this museum. It houses a lot of the weapons that the king himself used.

5. Guru Ke Mahal

Sri Guru Ram Das is renowned as the founder of the city of Amritsar. Guru Ke Mahal is another one of the foundations of the great man himself. The Granth Sahib and their gurus reside in this palace. Originally, Guru ke Mahal was just a cottage, but now it has been renovated into a palace, located quite close to the Golden Temple.

6. Mandir Mata Lal Devi

A famous place to visit in Amritsar Tourism is the Hindu temple dedicated to female Saint Lal Devi. The place is believed to boost the fertility of the women devotees. Plan a visit to the temple and experience the adventure it has to serve, like dark passages leading to garish rooms covered with mirrored mosaics. Other attractions include wooden cobras, animal carvings and watery caves.

Things to do in Amritsar

The city has a lot of things to offer. But, to discover the true essence- there is a specific list of things to do in Amritsar. Let’s have a look-

Eat at the Golden Temple

The Golden Temple, another of Amritsar attractions, feeds lakhs of people every day. In fact, it is considered to be a promising thing among the Sikhs to serve as a volunteer in this glorious temple’s kitchen. Sit down with thousands of other travellers and enjoy the unique ‘kheer’ prepared by the volunteers of the temple.

Go shopping at Hall Bazaar

Among all the Amritsar tourist places, Hall Bazaar stands out the most when it comes to shopping. In fact, there is no market in Amritsar as cheap as this one. One can get some of the highest quality products at an incredibly low retail price. The place is famous for its garments, ornaments, and items related to decor. Enjoy an eclectic shopping experience along with the best quality local Punjabi cuisines.

Pay a visit to Sadda Pind

Amritsar is a well-developed city, but the true Punjabi essence can only be felt in rural areas. Sadda Pind is a visual representation of the true colours and cultures of Amritsar. Lying 8 KM from the city, this small village offers a traditional ambience. Sadda Pind is one of the famous Amritsar attractions you need to visit to witness the proper side of the Sikh community.

Indulge in the Punjabi cuisine

A visit to any city is incomplete without having a taste of the delicious cuisine it has to offer. Sitting on a cot in a traditional Punjabi ‘Dhaba’ and sipping on some ‘Lassi’ is a whole vibe in itself. However, places nearby the Golden Temple does not serve non-veg items and are famous for the best Punjabi vegetarian dishes. If you want to enjoy the delicious ‘Tandoori Chicken, there are multiple restaurants and street-side stalls offering the authentic dish’s lip-smacking variants.

Best time to visit Amritsar

Owing to its location and weather conditions, the best time to visit Amritsar is between November to March. Summers are generally hot and humid, with temperature ranging between 34-40 degree celsius, max. Though the city does not receive heavy rainfall, the overall weather gets quite humid, making it uncomfortable for visitors. So, the best season to visit Amritsar is no doubt the winter. You will get to enjoy a mild and pleasant climate which is ideal for sightseeing.

How to reach Amritsar

The place is well connected to the rest of India via airways, railways, and roads. Go through the details to find out the most convenient way, how to reach Amritsar.

By Airways: Direct flights to Amritsar are operational from the Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, connecting the city to the rest of India and other international locations. Book a flight to this airport as per your convenient schedule.

By Railways: Amritsar Railway Station, located in the heart of the city, connects the place to prime Indian locations like Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh. There are multiple hotels available nearby, assuring a comfortable stay.

By Roadways: Amritsar is well-connected to the rest of India by roads. Delux, luxury and regular buses and cab services are available, connecting the city to the rest of India.