Amritsar - Punjab
Discover Amritsar
Located in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab, the centrepiece of any visit to Amristar is the magnificent Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) the holiest gurdwara (religious complex) of the Sikh religion. Amritsar was founded in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru Ram Das and offers a beautiful blend of old and new, tradition and culture combined with the amenities of a modern city.
Things to do in Amritsar
- Golden Temple – Join the sea of Sikh pilgrims on a visit to the inspiring Golden Temple of Amritsar. As the centre of Sikhism, it is the main site of Sikh worship so you may wish to visit early morning or in the evening to avoid some of the crowds. The temple is part of a larger complex called Amrit Sarovar Shrine from which Amritsar takes its name.
- Jallianwala Bagh Park is a place of remembrance for the victims of the Massacre of Amritsar 1919. There are sobering reminders of the event from the inscription on a stone plaque: ‘this is the place where the bullets were fired from,’ a preserved well where people jumped into to escape the bullets and an eternal flame memorial.
- Journey through the old town and discover traditional trades and crafts from centuries ago. Look out for quality woollen items and an abundance of accessories.
- Experience the Wagah Retreat Ceremony – Wagah is a town between Lahore, Pakistan and Amritsar that marks the dividing line between Pakistan and India, sometimes known as the ‘Berlin Wall of Asia’. Every evening since 1959 a retreat ceremony called ‘lowering of the flags’ has been held. It starts 30 minutes before sunset and now attracts hundreds of people every day.
The best way to see Amritsar
If you would like to visit Amritsar, why not take a look at one of our wonderful ATOL and ABTA protected holidays? Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and the tours mentioned are just examples to help inspire you. Contact our travel experts on 01792 315499 or email info@aitholidays.com for more information.
