Amritsar

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The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) and the main entrance

Amritsar is a holy city in the state of Punjab, India.

[edit] Understand

The name of the city derives from the name of the pool around the Golden Temple (aka Harmandir Sahib) and means "holy pool of nectar" (Amrit: nectar; Sar: (short for sarovar) lake). It is the spiritual and cultural center of the Sikh religion, and they are rightfully very proud of the city and their very beautiful and unique Gurdwara (place of worship). The Golden Temple was initiated by Guru Ramdaas Ji, the fourth Sikh Guru, and completed in 1601 by his successor Guru Arjan Dev Ji. It is now a major pilgrimage and tourism center.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Raja Sansi International Airport (IATA: ATQ) [1] is about 11 km and a 20-25 min drive from the city center. It's one of the most modern airports in India and quite adequate if not exactly exciting. Most flights are to Delhi, an hour away. Singapore Airlines also flies directly to [[Singapore] from where u can get many connected flights to asia pcific region and australia& new zealand], and there are a surprising numbers of flights to Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan,air india connects it to canada(tronto) via brimigham(england), and now jet airways connect it directly heathrow airport london etc.)

[edit] By train

The Shatabdi Express is the fastest and most comfortable way to arrive from Delhi. Slower and cheaper trains are also available. Trains also arrive from Jammu, Dharamsala and other northern areas via Pathankot, and many other locations daily.

Onward/return trains can be booked online, at the train station or, most conveniently, at the small booking office in the Golden Temple Complex. It's advised to book your onward train ticket as soon as you arrive in Amritsar, or before if you know the exact date, as trains are often heavily booked, especially to Delhi.

[edit] By car

Long-distance taxis are possible from most places.

[edit] By bus

Amritsar is well-connected by bus to most major cities and the northern areas within a days drive. Pathankot is about 3 hours away, and there is one daily direct bus to Dharamsala (6 hours).

[edit] From Pakistan

From the Pakistan border take a cycle-rickshaw (Rs 15, 3km) to the Attari station, where you can catch a local bus to Amritsar (Rs 15, 25 km).

Taxis also ply this route and charge around Rs 200 for the entire vehicle.

[edit] Get around

• An auto-rickshaw from the train station to the temple should cost around Rs 40, while a cycle-rickshaw will run about Rs 20.

[edit] See

[edit] Golden Temple

The Golden Temple at night

Akal Takht and the entrance towards the Harmandir Sahib

Pilgrims bathing in the Amrit Sarovar

The Golden Temple [2] is the main attraction in the city, and the most important religious place to the Sikhs. It's a stunning complex, and always full of thousands of pilgrims from all over India, excited to be at a place that they usually only see on television. The excitement to be here is infectious, and many people will be more than happy to tell you all about their religion and customs, and show you around the temple itself. Cover your head, remove your shoes and wander around one of the most amazing places in India. The complex is open almost 24 hours (from 6 AM until 2 AM) and is worth visiting twice: once during the day, once at night, when it's beautifully lit up.

As you arrive near the complex, you will more likely than not be accosted by hawkers trying to sell you bandannas to cover your head. It's not a bad souvenir for Rs.10, but there's also a big barrel of free ones to choose from at the entrance itself. Deposit your shoes at the subterranean building to the left of the entrance, wash your feet at the entrance and head in.

• Darshani Deori. This is the main entrance, sporting a distinctly Victorian clock-tower.
• Amrit Sarovar. The giant pool of water that surrounds and reflects the Golden Temple. Sections (marked off by ropes) are set aside for (male) pilgrims wishing to bathe.
• Harmandir Sahib. This is the Golden Temple itself, floating above the Amrit Sarovar, housing the sacred Adi Granth scripture which is recited out loud during the day. This is the most crowded point, accessible by a bridge from the edge of the pool, and entry here is regulated by guards.
• Akal Takht, directly opposite the Harmandir Sahib. Meaning "the Timeless, this is where the highest council of Sikhs sits and deliberates. At night, the Adi Granth is transferred to the Akal Takht.
• Central Sikh Museum, 2nd floor (entrance on the right side of the main side of the main entrance). Devoted to large gallery of paintings, mostly showing the gruesome ways countless Sikhs have been martyred, and various knick-knacks from the gurus. Free.

All Sikhs are expected at some point in their lives to volunteer for a week at the temple, and everyone you see working here is fulfilling that duty. It's likely possible that you can join in if you feel so inclined - you could start by chatting up the people outside peeling vegetables, or those washing dishes.

[edit] Amritsar massacre memorial

Jallianwala Bagh (Garden) is a short 5-minute walk from the Golden Temple, and is the site of the 1919 Amritsar massacre. On April 13 of that year, British Indian Army soldiers opened fire on an unarmed gathering of men, women and children. The firing lasted about 10 minutes and 1600 rounds were fired, killing more than a thousand.

A memorial was built on the site and inaugurated by the then-President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, on 13 April 1961. to this day the bullet holes can be seen on the walls and adjoining buildings. The well into which many people jumped and drowned attempting to save themselves from the hail of bullets is also a protected monument inside the park.

[edit] Do

• Visit the Pakistan border at Attari to see the border closing ceremony. Indian and Pakistani soldiers do a march-off every evening, a popular and fun event. Taxis leave from the backside of the Golden Temple. It's a 45 minute ride, and you should leave Amritsar by around 3:30pm.

[edit] Learn

• Almost every Sikh at the temple will be willing to talk to you about the temple and their religion and culture. Go there with an open mind and you'll leave with a smiling heart. Some of the kindest people on Earth.

[edit] Buy

• Guru Nanak knick-knacks. His face graces all kinds of goodies.

• CDs of temple recordings, chants, and Punjabi music in the shops along the front of the temple.

[edit] Eat

• Pizza Point offers fast food such as pizza, burgers, and chips. It offers Chinese & Continental food also. Chilly Paneer pizza is the favourite.
• The Golden Temple has a dining hall (langar) serving free basic meals to all... a definite must for visitors. Plates and spoons are handed out near the entrance, then follow the crowds inside and take the next vacant spot in one of the rows on the floor. Servers come by with large buckets of dal, chapatis and rice. Make sure to finish everything on your plate (wasting food isn't an option here!) then take it outside to volunteers at the washing area. It's inside the complex which means no shoes and cover your head.

• New Punjabi Rasoi, around the corner from the temple, is the most popular restaurant in town. Serves up great Indian food including tasty masala dosas. Meals ~Rs 40-60.

• Neelam's, a few doors down from New Punjabi Rasoi, offers pizza and other basics. Meals from Rs 30.

• Ice cream is very popular, and there are several soft-serve stands on the streets surrounding the temple, often with lines in the evening. Rs 5.

• The brothers or Bharavan the Dhaba, is place situated near to golden temple where you can eat traditional food or chinese, continental where you can enjoy taste of your choice at affordable prices

[edit] Drink

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• The Golden Temple offers free accommodation to pilgrims and tourists in very basic dorms or 3-bed rooms in Guru Ram Das Niwas, behind the temple. While free, donations are expected (Rs 50-100 minimum per person per night is appropriate). You should also remain quiet and respectful of the surroundings, keeping in mind that this is a holy place of pilgrimage more than a tourist attraction. Alcohol and smoking are strictly forbidden, not only within the temple complex but anywhere within eye-sight of the temple complex. If you can handle that, then this is arguably the best place to stay - watching people go about their routine, talking to the pilgrims, and absorbing the gorgeous atmosphere. Put your donations in the donation box near the entrance to Ram Das Niwas, as opposed to the guards who will ask you for it when checking out.

[edit] Mid-range

• Hotel CJ International, 2544 3478, [3]. A newer hotel just behind and with views of the Golden Temple. Rs 1200.

• Hotel Heritage Inn, 0919876631047, [4]. Hotel is situated just beside the World Famous GOLDEN TEMPLE having very prime location. Rooms are well furnished and decorated. room charges Rs.1350 for a night

• Royal Castle A nice hotel located in the city about 15 min from the Golden Temple. Though they claim to be a 3 star hotel 2 is more like it. They have decent rooms for around Rs 2,100 a night.

• Hotel City Heart [5] Hotel near golden temple and jallian wala bagh. Offers views of Golden Temple and the city. Rs 800-1550.

[edit] Splurge

• Grand Legacy, 8 G.T. Road (near railway station), tel. +91-183-5069991, [6]. Claims to be Amritsar's best hotel and the public areas look nice enough, but the rooms (and especially the bathrooms) don't quite pull it off. Steer well clear of the Moti Mahal restaurant, which gave two visitors in 2007 dysentery. Single/double from Rs. 2000/3150.

• Ritz Plaza, 45 The Mall, 256 2836, [7]. A more classy hotel also located in the city with good rooms and service and a swimming pool. Price starts at approx Rs 2,500 a night.

• MK Hotel, Ranjit Ave, 250 7911, [8]. Slightly out of town, but a nicer more upmarket option with great service. Doubles from Rs 3000, suites available.

[edit] Contact

[edit] Internet

• Cyber Swing, (above New Punjabi Rasoi restaurant), has several machines and a decent connection. Rs 40/hour.

[edit] Stay safe

Behave!

• Amritsar is currently a safe and welcoming city, if a little polluted.

[edit] Respect

• You should remain aware and respectful of the Sikh religion anywhere near the Golden Temple complex.

• Inside the complex both men and women are required to cover their heads (scarfs are widely available throughout the town for Rs 10, or a box of them are free to use at the entrances to the temple).

• Smoking and alcohol are forbidden not only within the complex but anywhere within eye-sight of the temple. Lighting up a cigarette on the busy street out front may not seem strange but will definitely attract negative attention, as will spitting near the temple.

• Photography is allowed on the outside ring of the holy lake, but not inside the actual temple itself.

[edit] Get out

• jallianwala bagh the home of great martyrs* this is place situated a couple of metres from main entrance of the golden temple where you can see the cruelty of General Dyer who killed thousands of innocent people in month of april 1919 the signs of his killing bullets are still there.