Amritsar - City of golden Temple OR Golden City
DISTANCE - 447 KM From Delhi, 217 KM From Chandigarh, 322 KM From Shimla.
CONNECTION
By Air : Amritsar is well linked to all cities from India and aboard with the strong network of Airways and Rajasansi being the famous airport In Amritsar.
By Rail : Amritsar is well liked to Delhi with the a strong network of railways with large number of trains connecting the city to the national capital.
By Road : Road has always been the best way to reach Amritsar as its situated at a driving distance from delhi. Indian towns, including Chandigarh (235 Kms), Delhi (450 Kms), Shimla, Kulu, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh, Dehradun and Rishikesh in Uttar Pradesh and Jammu. There is also a bus service to Lahore, 35 km away, which is the only overland connection between India and Pakistan.
ABOUT AMRITSAR
Amritsar is a well known place for tourism In India, residing the oldest gurudwara In India named Golden temple. Amritsar is an institution by itself. And the Golden Temple is the cradle of Amritsar with the city growing around it nurtured by its divine sanctity. Amritsar is one of the most sacred sikh religious sites in India.
There are divided opinions about the real history of Amritsar. Some say it was gifted by Akbar to Guru Amar Das; some believe that it was actually acquired by Guru Ram Das and still others are of the opinion that it was bought by the Guru. However, the popular belief about Amritsar remains that it was laid in 1574. In the pre independence era Amritsar was one of the main educational centers of the country. Till date the Hindu College, Khalsa College, DAV College and many other institutes in the city of Amritsar are some of the leading institutions in India.
PLACES OF INTERESTS IN AMRITSAR
Golden Temple: Amritsar, the holy city was founded by fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das Ji. The name Amritsar, by which the premier seat of the Sikh community is known even today, is derived from the holy tank called Amritsar.The pool of Nectar around which township grew. The construction of Harmandir Sahib popularly called Golden Temple is the sacred of the Sikh shrined was first completed in 1589 A.D. during the pentificate of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Golden Temple is known as Mecca of Sikhs. The Holy Scripture of Sikhs Adi Granth was installed in Temple in 1604.
Jallian Wala Bagh: On 13 April, 1919, people organized a peaceful general meeting at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, against the proclamation issued by General Dyer on 12th April which forbade public meetings and processions. People were not adequately informed of this proclamation. Jallianwala Bagh was a large open space enclosed on three sides by buildings with only one exit. General Dyer, the military commander of Amritsar was determined to make an example of this meeting and wanted to terrorize the people into submission. He surrounded the Bagh with his troops, closed off the exit and then ordered his soldiers to shoot into the crowd with their machine-guns and rifles.
Wagha Border: From Amritsar 35 Km on the road to Lahore(Pakistan), is India-Pakistan border, which is also known as "Attari(India)-"Wagah" (Pakistan) border.
A visit to the border is an interesting experience, especially at sun-set, when the retreat ceremony takes place with the Border Security Force (B.S.F.) on the Indian side and the Sutlej Rangers on the Pakistan side putting up a well co-ordinated and spectacular display.For the people of both the countries, it is a major event and hundred of Pak and Indian nationals assemble at their respective sides to watch the parade.
RELIGIOUS PLACES IN AMRITSAR
Durgiana Mandir: Shree Durgiana Mandir in Amritsar is a focal point of faith for the Hindus in India and abroad. Over the years, it has become an epicenter of Hindu. The complex is popularly known as the Durgiana derives its name from the Goddess Durga. Also called the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, it is dedicated to goddess Durga and a large part of the temple is also dedicated to Hindu deities Laxmi, The Goddess of wealth and Narayan,
The Preserver of Universe.
Mata Mandir: A grand old pious lady developed this Hindu temple situated at Rani ka Bagh , on the lines of holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi at Katra(Jammu), the temple draws crowds of devotees from far and near.Festivals are celebrated with great pomp and show. An evening visit to the temple gives an opportunity to the visitors to observe the life styles of Hindu families.
WHEN TO GO AMRITSAR
Amritsar in Punjab experiences extreme type of climate. The summers are too hot and winters are too cold. Best Time to visit Amritsar is between the months of October and March.
WEATHER FORECAST
The climate of the district is characterized by general dryness except in the brief south –west monsoon season, a hot summer and bracing winter . The year may be divided in four seasons. The cold season is from November to march. The period from April to June is the hot season. The south-west monsoon season is from about the beginning of July to the first week of September. The succeeding period lasting till the beginning of November is the post-monsoon or transition period .
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS IN AMRITSAR
Ram Tirath Fair : Ram Tirath Fair is celebrated at Ram Tirath, located at a distance of 11 kilometers to the west of Amritsar. The fair is celebrated about a fortnight after Diwali. Pilgrims visit the Temple to plunge in the sacred tank of the Temple in the early hours of the Puranmashi (full moon night). After the plunge the pilgrims take a circumambulation of the tank along with incantations. Women light lamps of pure ghee (deshi ghee) or mustard oil (sarson ka tel) made from kneaded flour and put them in tank by placing them on leaf plates. It is believed that this ceremony absolves one's sins and is known as tulla toarna (meaning floating of tullas). Throughout the ceremony devotional songs and hymns are recited.
Basant Panchami at Chheharta Sahib : Basant Panchami at Chheharta Sahib is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of the month of Magh or Maghi (end of January or beginning of February). The celebrations commence early in the morning and end the next day afternoon. Whole night kirtan darbar (chanting of hymns, poems belonging to Sikh literature) is held. On the eve of Basant Panchami kites are flown and kite-flying competitions are held.
Baisakhi / Vaisakhi : Baisakhi / Vaisakhi was an occasion when all the Sikhs used to assemble at Amritsar and discuss their political and religious problems. Today this festival is celebrated with lot of excitement and zeal. Generally this is celebrated on 13th April every year.
Gurupurbs : Gurupurbs are celebrated throughout the world. These are celebrated on the occasion of the birthdays and martyrdoms of Gurus. In Amritsar, Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Sahib are celebrated with great religious fervor and devotion.
FOOD AND RESTURANTS IN AMRITSAR
Amritsar is also very famous for its Punjabi Food. Daal Makhani, Makke ki Roti & Sag, Lachha Parantha, Kheer, Phirni Sweet dish, Lassi.
Bharawan Ka Dhaba (Brother Dhaba), Kesar ka Dhaba, Kundan Da Dhaba,Surjeet Ka Dhaba - Famous for Amritsari Machchi (Fry Fish),Pal Ka Dhaba - Famous for Chicken and Kharore (Goat Feet dish),Bhire ka Dhaba – Famous for Grill and Tandoori Chicken
