Travel-India

Amritsar

Amritsar, a popular city in the north-western state of Punjab, is the spiritual and cultural centre of the Sikh religion and is proudly titled ‘The Jewel of Punjab’.

Amritsar, which literally means ‘Pool of nectar’, is the largest and most important city in Punjab. There are a number of reputed educational institutions, large business enterprises, big industries, banks, hotels and parks.

Known world over for its rich cuisine and Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Amritsar is home to the religious hub of Sikhs, The Golden Temple, and draws millions of tourists every year.

The city also holds special significance for Hindus because of various mythical and historical connections. Believed to be the place, where Lord Rama’s twin sons, Luv and Kush, spent their early childhood, Amritsar is revered by Hindus as well. Hordes of Hindus throng the place around November when a four day long annual fair is held.

The city has many bustling markets and offers a plethora of options for shopping. One can choose among handicraft items, spicy pickles and papads, world famous wadian and delicious murabbas. One can also pick spiritual books and CDs of holy chants.

Amritsar is blessed with fertile soil, mineral rich water and climate conducive to flourishing of crops.

People of Amritsar are fond of eating rich food which strongly reflects in the delicious and spicy Punjabi cuisine the eating joints here offer. Not to miss are the ‘Amritsari kulchas’ and ‘lassi’ (chilled buttermilk) served in a tall glass with a thick layer of cream on top.

People of Amritsar are warm, welcoming and full of life. They live life whole-heartedly and celebrate a number of fairs and festivals like Baisakhi and Gurpurab with festive spirit and rituals.

Things to Do in Amritsar

Catch a play at Punjab Natshala

Visit Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama – Gallery has beautiful paintings depicting Sikh history.

Attend Palki Sahib Yatra at Golden Temple – Guru Granth Sahib is enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple during the day and is taken to the Akal Takht at night. Every wee morning at 0430hrs, it is attired and carried ceremonially on a palanquin, to be placed once again in the sanctum sanctorum.

What To Buy in Amritsar

Dupattas from Punjab are famous world over.

Check out ‘Mojris’, kind of slip-ons, a speciality of Punjab.

Stock up on Hing, Wadi and Papad.

Around Amritsar

Dera Baba Nanak (55km)

Dera Baba Nanak is considered to be one of the most sacred places of Sikhs as the first Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak Dev Ji had halted here briefly on the conclusion of one of His long travels.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent the last 17 years of his life in Kartarpur, a town opposite DBN, across the border, in Pakistan. Now, a small town with a few preserved features since the time of Guru Nanak, Kartarpur has two famous Gurudwaras, Sri Darbar Sahib and Sri Chola Sahib.

Due to its proximity to the border, many Sikhs throng the specially-created-platform on the Indian side called ‘Shakti Sthal’ to catch a glimpse of and hear ‘Kirtan’ from the Kartarpur Sahib.

The Kartarpur shrine is a marvel with an Islamic grave, a Hindu Samadhi and a Sikh angitha dedicated to the Guru.