Amritsar: Top Rated Attractions And Popular Tourist Destinations 

One of the most vibrant towns in the state of Punjab, India. This city lies in the North-Western region of the nation. It is also the most-visited pilgrim center for the believers of the Sikh religion. The city also serves as a border with the country, Pakistan. Ramdaspur is the historical name of the city. Natives call the city by a different name called, Ambarsar.

The cuisine and distinctive delicacies of the city are also widely loved and relished. The city has also got its due political prominence since it was the venue for many vital events and occasions in the Indian Independence Struggle. But the city was also a magnificent one even before the colonial days. This royal past is also evident in many nooks and corners of the city even today.

If you wish to get an all-encompassing experience of the city, we would suggest you visit the city during the months from November to March owing to the friendly weather conditions. Amritsar has also become the richest city in the state of Punjab with its unsurpassable revenue generation through tourism, commerce, agriculture, and a lot more. Here are our topmost suggestions to visit Amritsar. 

Golden Temple

As the name suggests, the temple is simply built with pure gold, which talks aloud of its grandeur and pride. The temple is one of the top-rated pilgrim destinations for Sikhs. People belonging to this religion are found visiting the temple around the year. The temple is also crowded with a lot of domestic and international tourists who are just fascinated by the splendidness and abundance of the temple.

The temple has got two stories and is erected on a marble piece of 67 square feet. 400 kg of gold is used to build the upper portion of the temple. Golden temple is not a stand-alone temple. The complex of the temple has a lot many shrines and temples within. The location of the Golden temple has also got its prominence among Hindu believers since the holy text of Ramayana is believed to have been written in the place, by the saint and scholar, Valmiki. The fourteen years forest exile of the Ramayana couple, Sita and Rama is also believed to have happened in this city. The garden and clock tower near the Golden temple are also some of the mesmerizing views attracting tourists to this location.

Wagah Border Ceremony

As you know, Wagah gets marked as the eventful and official border of the countries, India and Pakistan. The location of the place precisely comes in the Grand Trunk Road. There are certain ceremonious events that are practiced in the border location regularly as a part of indicating and reassuring a harmonious relationship between both countries. This is a grand and patriotic event to witness if you are in the city of Amritsar.

The ceremony is also known as the name of Beating Retreat Ceremony. The duration of the ceremony will be 30 minutes. It is during the evening time, that the ceremony is practiced every day. The ceremony includes the marching and meeting of the soldiers representing the military of both countries, viz. India and Pakistan. Apart from an act of expressing harmony and vowing to maintain a peaceful relationship, the ceremony is also an opportunity for both militaries to exhibit their power and strength.

At the end of the ceremony, the gates will be closed and the countries will lower their flags. National anthems are also sung during the ceremony. There will be dance and songs to make the occasion more colorful and happy. The ceremony was started in 1959. Tourists flock to the venue to witness this proud and satisfying ceremony every day. 

Jallianwala Bagh

This is a park in memory of the brave and determined people of India who sacrificed their lives while gathering peacefully to protest against British rule in India during those times. Hence, the historic and national prominence of the place is beyond words. The park is in proximity to the Golden Temple in the city. The massacre of Jallianwala Bagh happened on the 13^th of April, in the year of 1919. Apart from the park, you can also visit its museum and gallery to feel the pain of our forefathers who brought us independence and autonomy.

Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Trust is the authority responsible to look after the maintenance of this crucial site in the history of the nation. A renovation was brought to the park and its related establishments during the 2019-2021 period. The presence of an eternal flame “Amar Jyoti” is another attraction in the location. A visit to the location would be enough for future generations in India to earn that proud feeling of patriotism and preserve it forever within themselves. 

Baba Atal Tower

This is the tower with its location inside the Golden Temple complex. The tower is the tallest in the entire city of Amritsar. The tower is built in the golden memory of Baba Atal Rai. The tower has a total of 9 stories. The octagonal shape of the tower is also quite impressive. The stories of the tower represent the 9 life years of Baba Atal Rai. The Baba died at this very young age. It was gradually that this memorial turned out to be a Gurudwara.

The architectural brilliance that is integrated with the construction of the tower is worth all appreciation and thus it becomes one of the inevitable tourist destinations in the city of Amritsar. Guru Nanak’s preaching and paintings are the other elements of excitement adorning the walls of the tower. If you would like to enjoy the city of Amritsar at the highest angle possible, the topmost story of the tower has got all you need. Art, design, religion, and morality assemble in the tower in a most charming formation. 

Khalsa College 

This is a college in the city of Amritsar with its prominence of being an institution for historic higher education. You can easily reach the campus at just a 4km distance from the city center. Amritsar-Lahore National Highway is the exact location of the college. Khalsa College is one of the most reputed educational institutions in the whole country. Moreover, the campus has also got pivotal significance in the tourism of the city. It was in 1892 AD that some of the pioneers of the Singh Sabha Movement initiated the establishment of the college.

But the prominence of the college as a proper educational institution happened during the British colonial rule in the country. During those years, the college was only open to the people belonging to the Sikh religion and also to people who are the natives of the state of Punjab. Currently, the college is the Nodal Institution of India and it has a campus area of more than 300 acres. The Indo-Saracenic patterns in the architectural side are one of the major attractions of the buildings of the college. The façade built of red sandstone is also glorious and rich in its appearance. The green lawns accentuate the beauty of the campus in all aspects. 

Gobindgarh Fort

Gobindgarh Fort was a fort that is now a museum and theme park devoted to showcasing the glory of Punjabi culture and history in all its colors. The folklore, traditions, and customs of the state can be enjoyed and appreciated with a visit to this museum. Costumes and household equipment used by the natives enjoy a reputed position in the place. This museum visit would be a sneak peek at the other side of Punjab that has become so rare and a thing of the past now. The museum has also got the popular Whispering Walls depicting the major life events of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Sher E Punjab is one example of the light and laser shows that have been extensively conducted in the location and are loved by the tourists visiting the museum.

The story of Gobindgarh is also an element that excites the curiosity of tourists who are keen on history and legends. Bhangra and Gatka are respectively the traditional art form and martial art of the state of Punjab. The museum occasionally organizes live performances of the same. Shopping sites are also active nearby the location making it a favorite place for all kinds of tourists visiting the city of Amritsar. 

Shri Durgiana Mandir

In the city of Sikhs, this temple is for the believers of Hinduism. Laxmi Narayan Temple is the other name of the temple. As the name hints, the Hindu Goddess, Durga is the major deity worshipped in the temple. The Lord Vishnu and the Goddess Laxmi are the other idols of worship here. Guru Harsai Mal Kapoor is the one who started with the establishment of the temple back in the year, 1921. Golden Temple served as an inspiration for the construction of Shri Durgiana Mandir.

The positioning of the temple is also similar to the Golden Temple in the center of a lake. A bridge is also set up to access this divine location. The dome structure has also got identifiable similarities with the Golden temple. The inauguration of the temple was done by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. The temple has got a lot of festive occasions like Janmashtami, Diwali, Dussehra, Rama Navami, and so on. More than a quaint and serene spiritual atmosphere, the Shri Durgiana Mandir is a place that can offer you the happening vibes of devotion. 

Khairuddin Mosque

Hall Bazar is the location of this Muslim pilgrim location in the city of Amritsar. Locals and tourists visit the location to pay their respects as well as to enjoy the surroundings and structures. The location is just within a walking distance from the Amritsar city center. Jama Masjid, Amritsar is the other name of this Islamic shrine. 1876 is the construction year of the mosque and the credits go to Muhammed Khairuddin. The struggle for India’s independence has a lot to say regarding the mosque.

The protest initiation against the British Raj happened from this mosque. Islamic architecture with all its pride and repute is exhibited in the mosque. Impressive calligraphy is another attraction of the walls of the mosque exciting the tourists visiting the mosque. Miniature paintings seen at various locations of the mosque has got multiple interpretations and meanings by artists and tourists alike. The richness brought in by the pristine white marble also adds to the magnificence of the mosque. 

Akal Takht

The translated meaning of the local term “Akal Takht” is “timeless throne”. This religious location is considered divine and sacred by the natives of the city. Sikh believers regard this place as the highest seat of their god. It was in the year 1609, that Guru Har Gobind Sahib Ji found this place. It was he who named this place “Akal Takht”. Many Sikh-specific traditions and customs are practiced in the location which is simply a curios religious marvel to witness. The weapons like swords used by the Gurus are also kept for display in the location of Akal Takht making it a proudly reputed spot. Many singing performances are also conducted in the place as a part of their traditions. Most of these songs are praises for the Sikh Gurus and their lords. Evening prayer with a naked sword is one of the tourists’ favorites in the location. This worship place takes care of its devotees by serving food on all the days of the year. 

Tarn Taran Sahib

This is a town nearby the city of Amritsar. Tarn Taran Sahib Gurudwara is another popular tourist and pilgrim destination in the place. Sikh believers from across the country make it a point to visit the place during their visit to Amritsar. Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji is the founder of this Gurudwara. The authentic Sikh culture and traditions get embodied in the structure and surroundings of the place. The shrine is built in three storeys gathering inspiration from the Golden Temple of Amritsar. The entrance to the Gurudwara is also distinctive and exciting curiosity.

The golden-plated upper dome is quite similar to the Golden temple. The interiors with stucco work are another peculiar feature of this religious destination. The pond near the Gurudwara is the largest among all we can find in the city of Amritsar. Rainwater was the former source for the pond but later a separate canal was built for catering water to the pond. The Amavas day of every month is observed auspicious in the place. During this time, the Gurudwara will be mostly crowded with devotees and tourists. 

Conclusion

In total, the trip to Amritsar would be a wondrous experience for those who are visiting the city for the first time. There are also elements in the city welcoming tourists for their recurrent visits. Blessed with a rich cultural, traditional, heritage, religious, and commercial prominence this is one of the cities that can’t be missed out on if you wish to visit the whole of India and experience its life. The city is also something of crucial political importance on account of its proximity to the neighboring country, Pakistan.

Even though Sikhism is the most practiced religion in the city of Amritsar, a lot of other religions viz. Hinduism and Islam also thrive in the location. People live in a spiritually disciplined manner observing their religious values and norms. The presence of Gurudwaras makes the location filled with people who are extremely kind and imitable in their hospitality. Tourism is one of the most flourishing sectors of the city helping it grow extensively in its economy. People of the city are quite inclined to luxury and splendidness just as the religious constructions of the place. If you are a history enthusiast or a pilgrim, Amritsar would be the ideal location to bring joy and satisfaction to your vacation. 

How to reach Amritsar?

Nearest airport: Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport

Nearest railway station: Amritsar Junction (ASR)

MUST CHECK:

Ladakh To Host India’s First Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon

8 Best Tourist Attractions In Nalanda, Bihar