Amritsar came into existence in the year 1577. It was founded by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das. This is the most important spiritual place for the Sikh community. It is also called the Holy pool of Nectar after the water body that surrounds the main Golden Temple.
How to reach:
By Air: The Rajasansi Airport in Amritsar has direct flights from chief Indian cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh and Srinagar. But do check the whether if you are flying out to Amritsar in winters as it tends to get extremely foggy causing delays in flying schedules.
By Train: In coming from Delhi, the Amritsar Shatabdi is the best alternative. The journey takes about six hours. Amritsar Railway Station has direct trains from several Indian cities.
By Road: Regular tourist buses to Amritsar are also available from several North Indian cities. It takes about ten hours to reach Amritsar by road from Delhi.
Best time to go to Amritsar:
Amritsar gets extremely hot in summers and extremely cold in winters. The best months to plan a trip to Amritsar are February, March, October and November. If you are fond of the winter chill then December or January are also good months for you to visit. The temperature starts rising from the month of April till July when monsoon strikes Amritsar.
More about Amritsar:
Amritsar is known for its exquisite Golden Temple. This religious place pulls pilgrims from all across the globe. People do not just come here to offer their prayers but also take part in voluntary services. It is hard to fathom but the number of people who visit the Golden Temple is about the same as those who visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. The temple is so beautiful to look at at night, when its golden dome is even more illuminated by lights. The temple is open to visitors from six in the morning till two in the middle of the night. If you plan to stay overnight in Amritsar then do visit the temple at night as well.
Note: Make sure you cover your head and remove your footwear before entering the temple complex.
Festivals:
Amritsar can be righteous called a city of festivals. All the major Indian festivals are celebrated with much vigor such as Diwali, Lohri, Holi and Baisakhi. Baisakhi is the start of new year in April as per the Sikh traditions. This particular festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and the spirit of the people taking part in the festival and the cultural events is noteworthy. Most of the celebrations take place at the Golden Temple with great street processions on the street outside. Other important festivals celebrated in Amritsar are the Guru Nanak Birthday and Ram Tirath Fair.
Important places around Amritsar:
If you are in Amritsar then you must plan a trip to the Wagah Border (The border between Pakistan and India) which is at a distance of about twenty eight kilometers from Amritsar. Every evening during sunset the retreat of troops and the positioning of the next batch of troops take place. This energy exuberated by the troops during this ceremony is a must see.
Amritsar Info:
The Golden Temple is situated in the old Amritsar which is very close to the Railway Station. There are several bazaars in this part of Amritsar. If you visit the temple during the day you can enjoy a free meal from the Temple’s kitchen referred to as the Guru Ka Langar.
