- 09 May, 2025
Exhilarating Travel Guide to the Golden City:
The spectacular Golden City, Amritsar, is one of the largest cities in Punjab. It is most recognized as home to the iconic Golden Temple, known as the ‘Harmandir Sahib,’ the prominent holy site of Sikhs. Simultaneously, the city attracts thousands of Pilgrims and tourists every year, making it a well-known pilgrimage site that adds cultural significance to the town. It does not matter whether one is traveling for the first time, either for business or spiritual reasons. One should be spellbound while experiencing the old town, chaotic alleyways, and auspicious vibes at the Golden Temple. The city disclosed some uncovered vibrant stories with dominating Old dhabas, buzzing local markets, and ultimate Characters.
Historical Significance of the City:
According to Sikh historical beliefs, the land house to the spiritual Harmandir Sahib, called Amritsar, was chosen by Guru Amar Das ji, the third Guru of Sikh traditions. The town was formerly known as Ramdaspur, which was expanded during the era of Guru Arjan, who financed the town by donation and constructed it through Voluntary work. When the town grew and became a city, it was known as Amritsar, and the Gurudwara Sahib was built between 1574 and completed in 1604. However, Guru Arjan established Amritsar as a primary pilgrimage site for Sikhs and wrote multiple Sikh scriptures, including the popular Sukhmani Sahib.
The Golden Temple, Amritsar:
A trip to Amritsar remains incomplete without a visit to the holiest Sikh Pilgrimage, ‘the Golden Temple.’ However, the Golden Temple is a religious place and symbolizes human brotherhood. Besides that, the glorious destination is also considered a crucial sacred spiritual place dedicated to the Sikh community across the Globe. It is also recognized as the Harmandir Sahib, founded by Guru Ram Das Ji in 157,4. However, the upper main structure covered by the gold of the holy destination was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1830. Therefore, the place has the world's largest kitchen community, serving over 10,000 devotees daily. The sacred place remains open from am to 11 pm, and devotees are not required to pay entry charges.
Places to visit near the Golden Temple:
Besides the Golden Temple, the city has several other must-visit places near it, which can be visited by walking or by opting for a rickshaw, as per convenience. Thus, if you are visiting the Spiritual City for the first time and are unaware of the places to visit near the Golden Temple, check the following information, as it contains a list of a few must-visit tourist spots.
1. Jalliawala Bagh:
This is another must-visit tourist spot in Amritsar, within walking distance of the iconic Golden Temple. You should consider visiting this historical site. This is a 7-acre garden, and it reminds us of the tragic massacre of Jalliawala Bagh that happened at the prosperous festival of Vaisakhi on 13 April 1919. The place is also the house of a well, a Museum, a gallery, and a few memorials, which remain open for locals and tourists between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
2. Wagah Border:
The popular Wagah Border is located 32km from the central city of Amritsar. While it can’t be missed, visiting the iconic place to appreciate the Wagah-Attari border ceremony. The geographical border between India and Pakistan is another tourist attraction in Amritsar. The Army performs the ceremony in the afternoon daily; however, it remains open for tourists between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm.
3. Gobindgarh Forts:
The Gobindgarh Fort, also known as Bhagian da Qilla or the mud fort, was constructed in the 18th century by Gujar Singh Bhangi. The ultimate historical structure remains open to the public on 10 February 2017. It is a popular top-notch tourist attraction of Amritsar due to its mesmerizing light and sound show, which happens for 30 minutes daily in both English and Punjabi between 7:15 pm and 7:45 pm. The Fort has museums, bazaars, cafes, and dhabas.
4. Partition Museum:
You should visit the Partition Museum to experience the days of partition, which makes you feel how shattering a partition is. Every picture, video, and audio available in the Museum gives the information you need to know about the partition and what it felt like two nations people had to go through in 1947.
Best time to visit Amritsar:
Usually, travelers and Pilgrims are supposed to visit Amritsar throughout the year as the tourist spots remain open for 12 months for visitors. However, the weather has been pleasant here for only a few months as the city experiences diverse weather, including summer, winter, and monsoon seasons. Thus, to avoid inconvenience, it is better to avoid traveling to Amritsar during the monsoon season. It is not an ideal time to admire the beauty of the spiritual place Golden Temple, and explore local markets to shop for the famous Phulkari. You should review the following information to discover the best time to visit the Golden City.
- Winter Season: The best time to visit Amritsar to explore the Golden Temple is between October and February, when the temperature is cold and the city is filled with vibrant festival vibes.
- Summer Season: The months from March to June are not ideal for outdoor activities due to extreme heat and humidity.
- Monsoon: If you want to visit Amritsar for a week or 24 hours, it is not the best time to visit during the Monsoon. The city experiences heavy rainfall, which makes it challenging to admire the nearby tourist attractions.
How to reach Amritsar?
Tourists can effortlessly visit the Golden City of Amritsar via different modes, either by air, train, or road; however, you can choose at your convenience. Therefore, the fastest way to visit the city from Delhi or other major cities is via flight, especially when traveling less often. To learn more about the closest Airport, Railway Station, and highway connectivity, please check the following information, which you may find helpful.
- By Air: The Air distance between Amritsar and New Delhi is 452km, so the best way to cover the distance is to take direct flights from Delhi to the Shri Ram Das Jee International Airport. The flight will take 1 hour and 10 minutes, and it might cost nearly INR 3500 for one way.
- By Train: If you want a budget-friendly mode of transportation, consider taking the train from New Delhi Railway Station to Amritsar Central Railway Station. Covering the distance between these two cities might take 6 to 7 hours.
- By Road: You can also consider a Road trip to Amritsar. However, the duration of the trip will be a maximum of 8 to 9 hours based on the number of halts. You can also book a bus, which is a cost-effective mode, as it may cost between INR 500 and INR 1000 for one way.
What to shop for near the Golden Temple?
While visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar, you will be mesmerized by the city's vibrant, colorful local markets near the Golden Temple, which offer plenty of things, including traditional clothes, footwear, food, and handicraft items. Consider purchasing vibrant, bright, famous Phulkari dupattas, suits, other conventional clothing, popular Punjabi juttis, and silver and gold jewelry that perfectly enhance your traditional attire.
What is the famous food item in Amritsar?
Whenever anyone thinks about visiting the Golden Temple, the next thing that comes to mind is the Amritsar, delectable, mouthwatering food, as the love for Punjabi food is beyond where people live to eat. One can't miss the delicious street food items of the Spiritual city, including Kada and langar prasad, Amritsari Kulcha, Lassi, Puri Chole, Amritsari Pinni, Butter Chicken, Kulfa, Makke di roti or Sarson ka Saag, and delicious Daal Makhni.
What is so special about Amritsar?
Amritsar is famous worldwide for multiple reasons, including its cultural and spiritual significance. The city is well-renowned for the auspicious Sikh pilgrimage site, Golden Temple, delectable street food, traditional clothing, and silver and golden jewellery.
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