The spiritual capital of the Sikhs, Amritsar is one of the most ancient and fascinating cities of India. It derived its name from the pool around the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), which means ?Holy Pool of Nectar?. A major part of the city's history revolves around the Golden Temple, which is the prime and distinct attraction in Amritsar. www.22geetravels.com



The fourth guru of Sikhs, Guru Ram Das, founded Amritsar. It is said that Guru Ram Das selected the villages of Tung, Gumtala and Sutanwind to lay the foundation of a new village, which would eventually become a centre for the congregation of Sikhs.

Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is the most sacred shrine for the Sikhs, who come from all over the world to pay their respect to the Guru Granth Sahib and take a dip in the Amrit Sarovar for spiritual purification.

Harmandir Sahib, the main temple, floating on Amrit Sarovar, is a two-story marble structure with an imposing dome of pure gold. It was founded by the fourth guru, Guru Ram Das and completed by his son, Guru Arjan Dev. The main entrance, Darshani deori, sports a distinctly Victorian clock tower. The giant pool of water surrounding the Golden Temple is known as Amrit Sarovar. There are sections set aside for pilgrims to bathe. Harmandir Sahib houses the sacred Adi Granth scripture, which is recited aloud during the day. It is transferred to the Akal Takht at night, which is the seat of the highest council of Sikhs. Central Sikhs Museum is a large gallery of paintings showcasing the gruesome ways Sikhs has been martyred.

The original copy of the Granth Sahib kept in temple during the day, is ceremoniously returned to the Akal Takht at night.

You must cover your head and remove you shoes before entering the temple. This stunning complex is open for almost 20 hours and is worth visiting twice: once during the day, and once at night, when it's beautifully lit up.

All Sikhs are expected at some point in their lives to volunteer for a week at the temple, and everyone see working here is fulfilling that duty.

What to Eat:

When in the Golden Temple, do join the pilgrims for the common kitchen food known as ?Guru Ka Langar?. It is complementary bur make sure you finish everything on your plate. There are good restaurants all over the city. You have a wide choice of cuisines and eateries, from great Punjabi fare in Dhabas and restaurants to fast-food selling ice creams and pizzas.

What to Shop for:

Amritsar is famous for woolen blankets and sweaters. Carpets and dry fruits are also worth checking out. Katra Jaimal Singh in the old city is good for shopping. For some interesting shopping stroll down the alleys and by-lanes of the bazaar area.

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BEST TIME TO VISIT

The ideal time to visit Amritsar is between November and March when the weather is pleasant.

Other than the Golden Temple, one can also visit the memorial to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar.

HOW TO REACH

By Air: The Rajasansi International Airport of Amritsar is connected by flights to Delhi, Srinagar and Chandigarh.

By Train: Amritsar is connected to major Indian cities like Delhi, Jammu, Mumbai, Nagpur, Kolkata and Wagah (Attari Border) and some other places in India.

By Road: The bus services connect Amritsar to most North Indian towns and cities, including Chandigarh, Delhi, Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh, and Dehradun, Rishikesh and Jammu.

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