Amritsar
Amritsar – The Waters of Purity
Amritsar, located in the heart of Punjab, is the holiest pilgrimage destination in India for the Sikhs worldwide. Amritsar, they say, is the place where your soul is purified in the sacred waters of the Golden Temple. Take a trip to this holy Sikh pilgrimage site in India – an experience to get you a step closer to the Divine.
Places to visit in Amritsar
Best seasons to visit Amritsar
How to reach
Special places near Amritsar
Places to visit in Amritsar
The Golden Temple or Darbar Sahib, situated in Amritsar, Punjab, is the most sacred temple for Sikhs. A double storey marble structure, its dome is covered with gold. The Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, was kept in the Harmandir Sahib in 1604, three years after its completion. The location of the Granth Sahib here adds to the sanctity and reverence of the Harmandir Sahib. The history of the Darbar Sahib starts with Guru Amar Das, who took the first steps towards building a shrine. Around the Golden Temple, the holy city of Amritsar came into being. Guru Amar Das' successor, Guru Ram Das, came to live near this tranquil and peaceful site, and started building the pilgrimage center around the small pool, (later to become the Sarowar) which had initially drawn Guru Amar Das. Manual labor or 'kar seva' is another very important offering. It may be in the form of sweeping and washing the gurudwara premises, cooking or actually bricklaying and building the place.
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Jallianwala Bagh is a poignant memorial of the Freedom Movement. This garden was the site of a brutal massacre of over 2000 innocent unarmed people, on the orders of a British General on April 13, 1919. The bullet-scarred walls of the well-kept garden, today, enclose a memorial with an eternal flame, dedicated to the martyrs.Durgiana Temple, outside the Lohagarh gate of the old city, is dedicated to Goddess Durga, and is a center of pilgrimage for devout Hindus.
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Best seasons to visit Amritsar
Amritsar has all four seasons of the year! However, the best time to visit this pilgrimage site in India is during winters (October to March) when the air is less humid and the temperature pleasant.
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How to reach Amritsar
The ever-improving infrastructure in the city is making it easier for visitors to reach it from different parts of the country. Amritsar is linked by Rail, Road and Air network.
By Air - The Raja Sansi Airport is just 10 km from the main city of Amritsar and taxis are easily available to and from the airport. There are connecting flights from Amritsar to Delhi - London and Delhi - New York.
By Rail - Amritsar is well connected by rail, almost to every corner of the country. There are direct trains to Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay, Puri and other places. The Samjhauta Express also connects Amritsar to Lahore in Pakistan.
By Road - Amritsar is well connected to all the major cities of northern India. Important destinations include Delhi, Shimla, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Kullu, Manali and Jammu. It is at a distance of 234 km from Chandigarh.
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Special Places near Amritsar
Tarn Taran:
Located at a distance of 25 kms from Amritsar, Tarn Taran is a famous excursion point. One of the important spots to see here is the sacred tank which is believed to have curative powers. It is believed that if a leper successfully swims across the tank, he or she can be cured of the disease. Tarn Taran also has a highly revered Gurudwara built by Guru Arjan Dev in AD 1768. This Gurudwara is built in memory of Guru Ram Das. It is amazing to see how the architecture of the Golden Temple has influenced the other significant structures. The Gurudwara of Tarn Taran is also made in the same architectural style.
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Gobindwal Sahib:
Located at a distance of 30 kms from Amritsar, the Gobindwal Sahib is another place to visit during your excursion from Amritsar. Here you can also visit the final resting place of Guru Angad Devji that stands nearby.
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Amanat Khan Serai:
This place is famous for its ornamental gateway and glazed tile decorations. A must see, it is located at a distance of 38 kms from Amritsar.Baba Bakala: Located at a distance of 45 kms from Amritsar, Baba Bakala is an important site to visit around Amritsar. The magnificent Gurudwara here is dedicated to the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Tegh Bahadur.
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