Amritsar Travel Guide

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Ultimate Guide to Amritsar

Amritsar, located in the state of Punjab in India, is a historical and spiritual city known for its rich cultural heritage and religious significance. It is home to the famous Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, which is considered one of the most sacred places for Sikhs worldwide. Here is a guide to help you plan your trip to Amritsar: Top Places to Visit Amritsar

Golden Temple:

The Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is the most famous attraction in Amritsar and a must-visit for any traveler. It is a sacred Sikh temple that is open to visitors of all religions. The temple is open 24 hours a day, and visitors are required to cover their heads and remove their shoes before entering. The temple is made of marble and gold, and the main dome is covered with gold foil. Visitors can also take a dip in the holy pool surrounding the temple, which is believed to have healing powers. The temple also serves free meals (langar) to all visitors, regardless of their religion or social status.

Jallianwala Bagh:

This historical park is located near the Golden Temple and is the site of a tragic massacre that took place in 1919. On April 13, 1919, British Indian Army soldiers under the command of General Dyer opened fire on a peaceful crowd of unarmed civilians, killing over 1000 people. The park has a memorial built in memory of the victims and visitors can also see the bullet marks on the walls. The park also has a museum that displays artifacts and photographs related to the incident. Visitors can also see the well where many people jumped to escape the bullets.

Wagah Border:

The Wagah Border is the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan. Visitors can witness the famous “Beating the Retreat” ceremony, where the guards from both countries perform a synchronized march and lower the flags. The ceremony takes place every evening and is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors should note that the ceremony can get crowded and it is best to arrive early to get a good view. The ceremony is a display of patriotism and national pride and is an experience not to be missed.

Ram Bagh:

This beautiful garden is located near the Golden Temple and is a popular spot for picnics and relaxation. The garden has a variety of flowers, trees and a lake. Visitors can also see the Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire, which is located within the garden. The palace has been converted into a museum and displays artifacts and photographs related to the Maharaja. Visitors can also enjoy a boat ride on the lake.

Famous Food in Amritsar:

Amritsar is famous for its Punjabi cuisine, and visitors should not miss out on trying local dishes such as Amritsari fish, Tandoori chicken, and Lassi (a sweet yogurt drink). Visitors should also try the famous Amritsari Kulcha and Chole, which is a type of flatbread and chickpea curry. The city has a variety of restaurants and street food stalls offering traditional Punjabi dishes. Visitors should also try the famous Amritsari Lassi, which is a sweet yogurt drink.

Getting There:

By Air: Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport is the nearest airport to Amritsar, located about 11 km from the city center. It is well connected to major cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. The airport has regular flights from major Indian cities and some international destinations. Taxis and buses are available from the airport to the city center.
By Train: Amritsar has its own railway station, Amritsar Junction, which is well-connected to major cities in India. Some of the major trains that run to Amritsar are the Shatabdi Express, Golden Temple Mail, and the Paschim Express. Taxis and buses are available from the railway station to the city center.
By Road: Amritsar is well-connected by road to major cities in Punjab and neighboring states. Buses, taxis, and private cars are readily available for hire. National Highway 1 connects Amritsar to Delhi and the National Highway 15 connects Amritsar to Jammu.

Where to Eat in Amritsar

Kesar da Dhaba:

This is a famous restaurant in Amritsar that serves traditional Punjabi cuisine. The restaurant is known for its delicious tandoori chicken, Amritsari fish, and dal makhani. The restaurant has been serving customers for over 100 years and is a must-visit for any food lover. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Brother’s Dhaba:

This is another popular restaurant in Amritsar that serves traditional Punjabi cuisine. The restaurant is known for its delicious Amritsari fish, tandoori chicken, and dal makhani. The restaurant has a casual and rustic atmosphere and is a great place to enjoy a traditional Punjabi meal. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Bharawan da Dhaba:

This is a popular restaurant in Amritsar that serves traditional Punjabi cuisine. The restaurant is known for its delicious Amritsari fish, tandoori chicken, and dal makhani. The restaurant has a casual and rustic atmosphere and is a great place to enjoy a traditional Punjabi meal. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Chhole Kulche:

This is a famous street food stall in Amritsar that serves traditional Punjabi food. The stall is known for its delicious chhole kulche, which is a type of flatbread and chickpea curry. The stall is open for breakfast and lunch and is a great place to try authentic Punjabi street food.

Kulfi Faluda:

This is a famous ice cream shop in Amritsar that serves traditional Indian ice cream. The shop is known for its delicious kulfi faluda, which is a type of Indian ice cream made with condensed milk and vermicelli noodles. The shop is open all day and is a great place to cool off on a hot day.

Sweet Shop:

This is a famous sweet shop in Amritsar that serves traditional Indian sweets. The shop is known for its delicious rasgulla, gulab jamun, and jalebi. The shop is open all day and is a great place to try traditional Indian sweets.

Where to Stay in Amritsar

The Majestic Grand: This is a 5-star hotel located in the heart of Amritsar, near the Golden Temple. The hotel offers luxurious rooms and suites, as well as a spa, fitness center, and outdoor swimming pool. The hotel also has a restaurant and bar, and 24-hour room service.
The Ritz Plaza: This is a 4-star hotel located in the heart of Amritsar, near the Golden Temple. The hotel offers comfortable rooms and suites, as well as a restaurant, bar, and 24-hour room service.
The Grand Legacy: This is a 3-star hotel located in the heart of Amritsar, near the Golden Temple. The hotel offers comfortable rooms and suites, as well as a restaurant and bar, and 24-hour room service.
The Royal Plaza: This is a 3-star hotel located in the heart of Amritsar, near the Golden Temple. The hotel offers comfortable rooms and suites, as well as a restaurant and bar, and 24-hour room service.
The Holiday Inn: This is a 3-star hotel located in the heart of Amritsar, near the Golden Temple. The hotel offers comfortable rooms and suites, as well as a restaurant and bar, and 24-hour room service.
Hotel Kesar Palace: This is a budget-friendly hotel located near the Golden Temple. The hotel offers basic but clean rooms, as well as a restaurant and 24-hour room service.
Hotel Amritsar Ashok: This is a budget-friendly hotel located near the Golden Temple. The hotel offers basic but clean rooms, as well as a restaurant and 24-hour room service.
Hotel Golden Tower: This is a budget-friendly hotel located near the Golden Temple. The hotel offers basic but clean rooms, as well as a restaurant and 24-hour room service.
Hotel The Grand: This is a budget-friendly hotel located near the Golden Temple. The hotel offers basic but clean rooms, as well as a restaurant and 24-hour room service.
Hotel Royal Residency: This is a budget-friendly hotel located near the Golden Temple. The hotel offers basic but clean rooms, as well as a restaurant and 24-hour room service.

Best time to Visit

The best time to visit Amritsar is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and cool. During this time, the temperature ranges between 10-20 degrees Celsius, making it ideal for sightseeing and exploring the city. The winter months (December to February) can get quite cold, with temperatures dropping to below freezing at night, so it’s best to pack warm clothing.

The summer months (April to June) can be quite hot and humid, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius. The monsoon season (July to September) can also be quite humid and it might be difficult to move around the city due to the heavy rainfall.
It’s also worth noting that the Golden Temple is open year-round and the Wagah Border ceremony takes place every evening, so visitors can plan their trip accordingly. However, certain festivals like Diwali and Baisakhi are celebrated in Amritsar with great enthusiasm, so it might be a good idea to plan your trip around these festivals to experience the city’s vibrant culture.