Second populous and prominent town of Punjab, a northern city in Punjab state. It lies about 25 km from east of Pakistan border. Amritsar may not be capital of Punjab but plays an imperative role in commercial, educational, economical, political and religious factors, located in Majha region of Punjab. It is the most sacred place and centre for Sikhism. Harmandir sahib or Golden temple is most pious and revered gurudwara for Sikhs. All over the world devotees send their regards in terms of donations. Amritsar has imprints on history since 1577, found by Guru Ram Das, fourth Guru of sikhs. Amritsar being chief pilgrimage site for Sikhs, it also has textile and chemical industries. As warmth as Punjabis are, you can feel it in every ounce of Paratha and butter. Butter chicken to butter in milk, this foodie community will make you end up gaining some extra kilos. This city is also famous for chess pieces manufacturing industries. Amritsar has three sister cities which are Bakersfield (United States), Sandwell (UK) and Thetford (UK). It is a city with less noise and high at religion. It will help you peep into a different set of culture (if you are not a Sikh). It has historically rich monuments and belongings of British Raj and Partitions. Giving India some brave freedom fighters it remains land of “Waheguru da Khalsa waheguru ji di Fateh”. Let’s understand this city more descriptively. 

HISTORY

Founded by  Ram Das, fourth Guru of Sikhs community in 1577. Amritsar has been a vital part of Indian history. It is believed that Goddess Sita gave birth to Lava and Khush at Ramtirth Ashram situated in Amritsar. It is a revered place of Hindus. And after RM Das found Amritsar he excavated a sacred pool known as Amrita Saras. Afterwards a temple was built with fine architectural connoisseurs, popularly known as Golden temple. This site was given by Akbar to Ram Das. Maharaja Ranjit Singh fortified 12 gates near Amritsar to protect it from invasion in year 1822. Later when British Raj came to India they built the thirteenth gate known as Hall Gate. 

BUTTER FILLED CUISINE

Giving India the world renowned culture of Dhaba and alluring food of Punjabis is famous worldwide. Filled with tangy spices and inevitable butter in every dish. Lassi, Amritsari kulcha, Pinni, sarso da saag, Amritsari chicken, Aloo Paratha, chola bhatura and perpetual list. Amritsar has food which are being adopted by several cities. Few street food markets to have delicious and irresistible food. 

• GURU KA LANGAR:  Don’t miss on this experience of lifetime. A place to have food with devotees on most holy pilgrimage site, Guru ka Langar serves food to everyone. At golden temple, indulge in some never finger licking food. 
• PAL DA DHABA: Amritsar is incomplete without a Dhaba visit. You might find less restaurants and more dhabas in city. Pal da dhaba is a place where it’s hard to find a vacant place. Get lucky and taste some lip smacking food.
• THE KULCHA LAND: Famous for kulchas all over India, Amritsar is a place where it has abundant varieties. The Kulcha land is a place to find several varieties and dig in with dal or chola. 
• BEERA CHICKEN CORNER: Amritsar is fond on Non-veg food as well. To hog on some irresistible chicken visit Beera Chicken Corner. 
• KESAR DA DHABA: On your expedition of food hunt in Amritsar do visit kesar da dhaba. It will add on to some of your unforgettable experience.
• AHUJA LASSI: Lassi is a very prominent part of Punjabi cuisine. Visit Ahuja Lassi shop to fulfill your desire for white luscious lassi.

 
CULTURE AND RELIGION

Predominantly Amritsar is a Sikh metropolitan city. Containing most revered pilgrimage for Sikhs, it has been a city preaching Nanak anecdotes. Also known for their brave heart nature Punjabis are scripted in several stories. Even during Independence fight Amritsar has taken wounds which are still not healed. 

 FOLK DANCE AND MUSIC

Don’t we all know dance of Punjabis. Bhangra is the folk dance of Amritsar which is being imbibed by almost every citizen of city. And peppy and funky music of Amritsar has taken nation by storm already. 

PLACES TO VISIT

• GOLDEN TEMPLE: Most sacred pilgrimage site for Sikhs in entire world. This shrine is much more than just an epitome of religy. Two storey building covered by real gold makes it a must visit destination among every religion. A sacred manmade pool near golden temple and world’s largest community kitchen in working. Golden temple has priests chants song of Guru Granth Sahib, you can just sit and diverse to divinity. Akal takht is the collection of most sacred weapns of Sikhs, here you can learn some interesting facts about Golden temple. Don’t forget to cover your head and wash your feet before entering shrine. 

• WAGAH BORDER CEREMONY: About 32 km from Amritsar center, wagah border is located on India-Pakistan border. A closing ceremony is performed daily at sunset. Retreat would give you an insight about a lot of variations in Indian and Pakistani culture through people sitting on both sides.  Ceremony included pompous music and soldiers goose-stepping and salutation. They involve in harmonious exchange of salutes and gestures. It’s a 45 minutes ceremony but a lifelong experience. 

• JALIANWALA BAGH: Situated just behind Golden temple, Jalianwala Bagh massacre is a blotch on Indian British rule.  The garden memorize 1500 people who were shot by British Policeman during a peaceful protest in 1919. You can still see bullets hole etched in walls of Jalianwala Bagh. 

• PARTITION MUSEUM: Only place in world to give you detailed information about partition of India and Pakistan. It has clipping of people who suffered and migrated, newspaper and magazines photos and news video clippings telling you about precisely what happened. It will send a chilling vibe across but interestingly there is Tree of hope, you can scribble a message on a leaf and hang it. 

• MANDIR MATA LAL DEVI: A shrine devoted to Lal Devi, a female saint, it is a sacred place for Hindus. There is a belief attached to temple that women can regain their fertility if they visit this temple. Bizarre but many women come to seek blessings of Lal Devi. 

• RAM TIRTH DHAM: A sacred place for Hindus. It is considered to be birth place of Lava and Khush son of Lord shri Rama. It has been visited by people on dushhera and Diwali where a fair is also organized. 

•  BABA ATAL TOWER: Located near Golden Temple, Baba Atal tower is dedicated to Atal Rai, son of Sikh Guru. This architectural marvel is a nine octagonal stacked at 40 meter height. It is one of the tallest monument in Amritsar. 

• RAM BAGH GARDEN: Well scalloped doorways, red stone building, esthetic plantation and well trimmed garden. It is a gateway to find some peace in a hectic day. 

• KHALSA COLLEGE: A place for architectural buffs, this was built in 19th century. It has scenic backdrop and has worked as a shooting destination for several Bollywood movies. 

• GOBINDGARH FORT: A fortified monument built around 250 years back. It is considered to be a place where soldiers fought to protect Amritsar from invaders. It has now been transformed into a museum. It has four museums, warfare museum, Turban museum, Sikh art museum and light and sound shows. Explore this place to instill something unknown facts. 

• DURGIANA MANDIR: A exact replica of Golden temple, a sacred pool, two storey building and golf plated upper tomb. This place may look exactly like Golden temple but it is devoted to Goddess Durga.  It’s considered auspicious to pray here for health and wealth. 

HOW TO REACH

• AIRPORT: Amritsar has it’s own airport named Sri Guru Ram Das Jee airport. It’s about 11 km away from city center. Several flights operate from airport on daily basis. 
• RAILWAY: Amritsar junction railway station connect to several metro cities. It is operated by northern railway. 
• ROAD: Amritsar connects via Delhi-Katra highway. It’s a well maintained and safe road to travel. Several buses also operates from Delhi. 

BEST TIME TO VISIT

November to March is the best time to visit Amritsar. 
• SUMMERS: Temperature hovers from 32°c to 40°c (draining and scorching heat) 
• RAIN- Temperature hovers from 18°c to 29°c ( moderate rainfall) 
• WINTERS: Temperature hovers from 5°c to 15°c ( Cold and foggy)