Amritsar travel guide>>
Destination guide and tourist information on Amritsar, sightseeing in Amritsar, Golden
Temple, Harmandir Sahib, Jallianwallah Bagh
Amritsar, literally Pool of Nectar, derives its name from Amrit Sarovar, the holy tank
that surrounds the fabulous Golden Temple. First time visitors to Amritsar could be
forgiven for the imression that Amritsar is like any other small town in northern India.
In one sense, it is - with bustling markets, haphazard traffic, unyielding cattle, crowds
and congestion typical of small town India. But Amritsar stands head and shoulders above
any other city, its status elevated and sanctified by the presence of the venerable Golden
Temple. Located in the heart of Amritsar,
the temple complex is surrounded by a maze of narrow lanes, or katras, that house one of
the busiest markets in India. But the Golden Temple is a serene presence, radiating a calm
that makes people bow their heads in reverence. The gurudwara, as Sikh temples are called,
is the holiest of Sikh shrines. It is not just Sikhs who travel to the Golden Temple to
pay homage, the sacred shrine is equally revered by Hindus and people of other faiths who,
too, make the pilgrimage to offers prayers at Harmandir Sahib.
There's more to Amritsar than that - amongst other
sights is Jallianwala Bagh, site of the gruesome massacre of unarmed Indians by British
troops. A major tourist attraction these days is the Indo-Pakistan border crossing at
Wagah, just a short distance from Amritsar, with its elaborate change-of-guards drill with
a lot of strutting and intimidatory showing off by both sides.
If you are 'doing' north India, Amritsar is a city
you should not miss. It's easy to travel there from Delhi by road and by rail. It is easy
to navigate through the city; few guides bother you as tourism is not the most important
commercial activity here. Ask them in Amritsar, and they will tell you that if for nothing
else you must travel here for the roadside chhola-bhaturas. |
