Amritsar : A City of Serenity
- How to Get There
- Golden temple (Harmandir Sahib)
- Jallianwala Bagh
- Wagah Border
- Ram Bagh
- Ram Tirath
- Faridkot Fort
Amritsar
Amritsar : A City of Serenity
The fourth guru of the Sikhs founded the holy city of Amritsar in the year 1577. Over the years, the city has become mired with the history of India.The city of Amritsar is a fascinating blend of varied traditions and is home to a secular culture. The city flourishes with a veritable collection of religious centers which is topped by the immensely spectacular Golden Temple. The city has become more or less synonymous with the religion of Sikhism. Its history is incredibly rich with a fascinating past. The city is a source of pride for the people of Punjab and it has become something of a legend.
The magnificent charm of Amritsar can be found to be in the amazing monuments and holy shrines that dot its cityscape but it can be found most in the friendly people. The cuisine of the city is amazing along with its rich heritage of traditional arts.
How to Get There
By Air :
The nearest airport is Raja Sansi International Airport in Amritsar. Also called Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, it is located about 11 km away from the city. It is well to and from Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu, Srinagar, Dubai, London, Toronto and Tashkent, among other cities.
By Rail :
Amritsar Railway Station is the main station in the city and is well connected to almost all major cities in India including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Agra, and Chandigarh
By Road :
Amritsar is well connected to most major cities in the country by road. The Grand Trunk Road connects Amritsar to Delhi. Regular buses are available from ISBT, Delhi to Amritsar. Regular bus service is available between Chandigarh, Dalhousie, Chamba and Dharamsala.
Golden temple (Harmandir Sahib)
The Golden Temple has become a legendary symbol of the Sikh religion. However, it is only a small, albeit magnificent, part of the immense complex of the gurdwara complex called Harmandir Sahib.In terms of spirituality, the tank surrounding the majestic temple is considered to be extremely holy. It is known as the Amrit Sarovar or Pool of Nectar and it has given its name to the city as well. It was excavated in 1577 by Ram Das, the fourth guru of the Sikhs. The tank is ringed by a pristine walkway made with marble. It is believed that the waters of the tank possess powers of healing.
The Golden Temple seemingly floats in the middle of the tank and gleams against the sunlight. Rather amazingly, the architecture of the Golden Temple showcase styles of Hindu and Islamic architectures. The lower level is made quite beautifully with marble. It features a fascinating array of pietra dura work with animal and flower motifs. The second level of the temple features stunning examples of gold panels that have been engraved intricately. A dome decorated with approximately 750kg of gold.
Jallianwala Bagh
The Jallianwala Bagh is a place of acute importance for the history of India. During the freedom movement, people gathered peacefully at the Jallianwala Bagh. Unfortunately they were massacred mercilessly and it is considered to be the cruelest event in the Indian freedom struggle. A memorial has been built in the humble garden. There is also a wall which still retains the holes of the bullets fired on that dark day.
Wagah Border
The Wagah Border marks the demarcation line between India and Pakistan. You can witness an epic ceremony that takes place every evening here. The flag ceremony is a military practice and it is observed on both sides of the border. The Indian Border Security Force and the Pakistani Rangers conduct the ceremony in their respective areas of the border.
Ram Bagh
Ram Bagh once served as the summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The palace has been converted to serve as a museum now. The gardens surrounding the palace are considered to among the best in Punjab. A stroll in the incredible lush landscape of the gardens can be rejuvenating. Additionally, there are numerous water channels that intersect the gardens along with fountains. The streams even have fishes swimming in them.
Ram Tirath
Ram Tirath is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Ram, one of the most important deities of the Hindu religion. According to legends, Valmiki, the great author, composed his epic, the Ramayana near this particular site. It is also believed that the Luv and Kush, the two sons of Lord Ram were born here.
Faridkot Fort
The Faridkot Fort is quite a unique fort thanks to the use of lime mortar and Nanakshahi bricks in its construction. The ambience of the fort is inviting. There is an unmistakable influence of the European styles in its construction. However, the interiors possess a distinctly Rajasthani look and feel. It is believed that the fort was constructed 800 years ago.