Amritsar is a mythologically rich land and is frequented by a large number of tourists from all over the world. This city is almost synonymous with The Golden Temple. Amritsar depicts the history of Sikhism like no other place in Punjab. Amritsar is a prominent city that is situated in the heartwarmingly beautiful state of Punjab barely 28 km away from the India Pakistan Wagah Border. This culturally rich destination offers a unique experience like no other. There are a plethora of tourist attractions in Amritsar which visitors must visit their Amritsar trip. Take a look at the popular Amritsar tourist places:
Golden Temple
Golden Temple is the most sacred Sikh pilgrimage site situated in Amritsar and it is renowned as Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib, Golden Temple is acclaimed as one of the most visited pilgrimage centers in India. Guru Ram Das, the 4th Sikh Guru, started digging the Amrit Sarovar in 1577 AD on the orders of the 3rd Sikh guru, Guru Amar Das which was later on brick-lined by Guru Arjan, the 5th Sikh Guru, in 1588. He also started the construction of the Golden Temple later on. In the early 19th century, 100 kg of gold was used to cover the inverted lotus-shaped dome under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Fondly known as Swaran Mandir, the Golden Temple is built on 67 feet square platform in the center of the Amrit Sarovar. This Sarovar is considered to be filled with Amrit or 'immortal nectar'. This water is believed to have medicinal properties and curative powers. This two-story marble edifice has a unique architectural style and is built at a level lower than the ground. The devotees can reach the Darbar Sahib by the Guru's bridge. The lower floor of the Golden Temple is made from white marble and the walls have been decorated with the motifs while the upper floor is gold plated and crowned with a dome. Golden Temple, Amritsar is the perfect blend of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles.
Jallianwala Bagh
Jallianwala Bagh is a memorial garden located in Amritsar near the Golden Temple. It is one of the most visited tourist places in Amritsar.
Jallianwala Bagh is an unfortunate site where thousands of innocent people were brutally killed by British troops on 13th April 1919. To celebrate the Baisakhi festival, a big crowd had gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh garden to celebrate the day. On hearing that a meeting had been assembled, Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to open fire at the crowd. In the massacre, there were around 379 people dead and 1500 people were wounded which were left to die in the well within the garden.
A memorial was established in 1951, to pay homage to thousands of people killed during the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. A 30-feet high pillar, with stone lanterns on four sides, stands in the middle of a shallow tank in the garden. The lanterns are carved with Ashok Chakra and the words, 'In memory of martyrs, 13 April 1919', have been inscribed on all four sides of the pillar. A lamp, burning to pay homage to the martyrs, is placed at the entrance and it is the Eternal Flame of Liberty. The Jallianwala Bagh memorial was designed by Benjamin Polk, he was an American architect.
Wagah Border
Wagah Border lies on the Grand Trunk Road and between the cities of Amritsar in India and Lahore in Pakistan. Wagah Border is one of the top tourist destinations in Amritsar. The border has a huge arch which is named as the 'Swarn Jayanti Dwar', and gates of both the countries.
Also known as Attari, Wagah is mainly known for its 'Beating Retreat Ceremony', which was started in 1959. The purpose of this ceremony is to formally close the border for the night and take-off the National Flag of both nations. The Flag Lowering Ceremony is performed daily before sunset at the border on both the side that is in India and Pakistan. The flag ceremony at the border is conducted by the Indian Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers. The highlight of this ceremony is the lowering of the flags of both countries simultaneously. Almost 5,000 people visit the border every day to witness the ceremony with great patriotism.
Durgiana Temple
Durgiana Temple is a Hindu temple situated near the Lohgarh gate of Amritsar. It is one of the top pilgrimage places to visit in Amritsar.
Durgiana Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is also known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Durga Tirath and Sitla Mandir. The earliest temple was built in the 16th century and was rebuilt by Guru Harsai Mal Kapoor in the architectural style of the Sikh Golden Temple in 1921.
The temple stands in the middle of a sacred lake known as Durgiana and it is accessible by a bridge. The dome of the temple is built using the marble which is extensively used in the construction of the temple. The dome and canopies of the Durgiana Temple are similar to that of the Golden Temple of Amritsar. There is a huge collection of Hindu scriptures within the temple.
Tarn Taran
Tarn Taran Gurdwara is one of the most popular Sikh pilgrimage sites in India. This Sikh pilgrimage site is located in the Majha region of Punjab. It is also one of the top places to visit in Amritsar.
Tarn Taran is a historical town and this ancient town is closely related to Sikhs. This town was founded in 1590 CE by the 5th Sikh Guru, Arjan Dev and he laid the foundation of Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in the heart of the town. Tarn Taran was ruled by the Sikh Family of Dhillon Clan and they were the part of the Bhangi Sikh Dynasty. Tarn Taran was well-known as a center of the Sikh revolution and it was believed to be the capital of Khalistan, the proposed Sikh independent nation.
Tarn Taran is well known as Gurudwara Tarn Taran. The shrine is an elegantly designed three-storeyed structure that resembles the Amritsar Golden Temple. The temple's entrance is through a double storied arched gateway. The upper portion of the edifice is covered with glittering gold-plated sheets. The dome of the Gurudwara is also known as the lotus dome which comprises an ornamental gold pinnacle with an umbrella-shaped gold finial. This place is famous for having the largest Sarovar (water pond) of all the Gurudwaras in the world.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum is settled in amidst the beautiful Ram Bagh Garden in Amritsar. It is one of the best museums in Punjab and also one of the best tourist places in Amritsar. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum was originally the summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Later, it was converted into a museum in 1977. It is a treasure house of history, art, and architecture of the Sikhs of the 18th and 19th centuries AD.
The museum offers a deep insight into the history of the Sikh monarch Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The museum displays objects such as arms and armor, exceptional paintings and centuries-old coins and manuscripts. Among all the paintings, one that depicts the city of Lahore is the most famous.
Coins and manuscripts displayed at the museum reflect the spirit of secularism and the rich history of Sikh province. The museum houses the arms and ammunition section which exhibits the rich collection of weapons, which were prevalent among the great warriors of that time.
Gobind Garh Fort
Gobind Garh Fort is a historical fort that is positioned in the city of Amritsar. Initially known as 'Bhangian Da Qila', Gobindgarh Fort is one of the famous tourist places near Amritsar Punjab. Gobind Garh Fort was built by the army of Gujjar Singh Bhangi in 1760. This fort was renovated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh between 1805 and 1809. The British authorities occupied it in 1849 and it was in the army's possession for nearly 150 years. After the Indian Independence, the Indian army took control over the fort and was used to provide temporary shelter to a large number of refugees from Pakistan during India-Pakistan partition.
Gobind Garh Fort was constructed with brick and lime on a square area with two strong gates, four large bastions, and a well-defined rampart. The magnificent main entrance is called Nalwa Gate and the other gate is known as Keelar Gate. It is believed to be connected with the tunnel of Lahore, which was used to escape from the enemies. The Toshakhana, which once stored the coveted Kohinoor diamond, is now a coin museum for old and rare coins including a replica of the Kohinoor as it was worn by the Maharaja.
Gurdwara Mata Kaulan
Gurudwara Mata Kaulan or Gurudwara Kaulsar Sahib is a sacred Sikh shrine situated on the backside of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is one of the historical gurudwaras in Punjab and also one of the top places to visit in Amritsar.
Gurudwara Mata Kaulan is dedicated to Bibi Kaulan, a spiritual Muslim Lady, daughter of Qazi of Lahore. Her father had pronounced her death, due to her devotion to Guru Hargobind Sahib. Saint Main Mir who was living in the same village rescued her and brought her to Guru Hargobind Sahib. Bibi Kaulan spent the rest of her life devoted to the service of mankind and meditation. The Samadhi of Mata Kaulan lies at the western end of the Kaulsar Gurdwara.
The Sarovar which lies next to the Gurdwara Mata Kaulan and is known as Kaulsar Sarovar. Kaulsar is one of the five holy tanks in the holy city of Amritsar.
