Amritsar: A city that nourishes body and soul, Specials - Trippin

Posted On Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 07:26:22 PM

The city of Amritsar was built on a land bought by Guru Ram Das Ji (The Fourth Guru of Sikhism) in 1574. Amritsar is one of the main cities of Punjab. Located in the north-western part of India, Amritsar today is a fast developing city. One of the main reasons for Amritsar getting its name is the Amrit Sarovar (The Pool of Nectar of Immortality) where the Golden Temple (or Harmandir Sahib) is situated. It is the spiritual and cultural centre of Sikhism. Amritsar partially shares the northwest borderlands between India and Pakistan at Wagah, a half-hour drive from town. It is about 30 km east of Lahore, the ancient capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji of Punjab in undivided India.

The Akal Takht is the temporal centre of the Sikh faith. This is also where the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), which plays a vital role in Sikh politics, meets. It is located opposite the Harmandir Sahib. The gurudwara is linked to the Akal Takht by a walkway across the pool.

Sightseeing Highlights
At the Golden Temple, the Harmandir Sahib (a.k.a., Darbar Sahib) accepts the homage of all and the four entrances to the temple represent this. The Akhand Path, an unbroken reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, is held on the first floor of Darbar Sahib. On the top floor is the Sheesh Mahal, an impressive hall covered by mirrors.

A golden dome contributed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who had the shrine rebuilt, tops the temple itself. It came to be called the Golden Temple after this. Located in the heart of the impressive old quarter, it can be easily reached via the shopping area of Hall Bazaar. Devotees wash their hands and feet, and cover their heads while entering the temple complex via Darshini Darwaza. They then do the ‘parikrama’ or the round of the smaller homage sites surrounding the temple. The parikrama is a wide marbled passageway that encircles the sarovar.

Along the parikrama, there are 68 revered points where devotees can stop to pay their respects. They symbolise the 68 orthodox pilgrimage sites of Hinduism. Devotees move in a clockwise direction around the parikrama. Some of the primary stops are the Dukh Bhanjani Ber Tree, where people take a holy dip in the sarovar. The langar hall lies behind it. Guru Amar Das who made it an integral part of the gurudwara started the free community kitchen. The langar symbolises the breaking of all social barriers by making everyone eat together regardless of caste and creed.

The 450-year-old Jubbi Tree marks the place from where the first high priest of the temple, Baba Buddhaja, supervised the construction of the temple. Further along, you will come to the place marking the martyrdom of Baba Deep Singh who fought to death against the Afghan soldiers responsible for attacking the temple.

The lofty structure of Gurudwara Baba Atal Rai, located behind Darbar Sahib, was built as a memorial to Guru Hargobind’s son Atal Rai. The Central Sikh Museum here displays paintings depicting Sikh history and its struggles against the Mughals and British oppressors. It also has several weapons on display. You can watch the staging of the Gataka (Sikh martial ritual) conducted on the roof of the Guru Ka Langar.

Some of other sightseeing highlights are the Jallianwala Bagh, which is the place where the infamous massacre, ordered by General Dwyer, took place and Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Museum, which is set up in a sprawling palace and showcases a wide range of memorabilia. While at Amritsar, you can visit the Wagah Border, which marks the LoC (Line of Control) between India and Amritsar. It is about 30 km west of Amritsar.

Food
Food is the best way to get the feel of the city, especially its street offerings. Punjabi cuisine is famous all over the world, but what better place to try it than in Punjab itself. On Maqbool Road, line up for the legendary kulcha channa. Get there well before noon. For a full vegetarian meal, head for Bharawan Da Dhaba, close to the Golden Temple and order their renowned thalis. If non-veg is your thing, it has to be Amritsari Macchi at Katra Sher Singh. For grilled chicken, it is the famous Surjit Chicken House, just off Lawrence Road. Brijwasi Bhandar on Cooper Road has the best chaat in town. Wrap up your meal with the rich pinnis of Kanhaiya Lal. You can also head for Katra Alluwalia, for its yummy jalebis. The Guru Ka Langar at the Golden Temple serves simple but great home-cooked style veg meals.

Shopping
Hall Gate is a great place to stock up on Pakistani jootis, as is the Mochi Bazaar. Punjab is the heart of the ‘jadau’ jewellery business so if you are into traditional Indian jewellery check out Guru Bazaar. Textiles was big business in this city (try the shops at Katra Jaimal Singh near Hall Bazaar) and it continues to be a major centre for woollens and blankets. Check the shops at Shastri Market. For the famous pappad-vadis of Amritsar, look no further than the Majith Mandi.

Top travellers’ query on HolidayIQ Xchange Forum
When is the best time to visit Amritsar? Romi

Reply fromHolidayIQ members
The best time to visit Amritsar is definitely Oct-Nov, Feb-Mar.

HolidayIQ Travellers’ Review
Amritsar city presents a very rich experience as far as culture, food, sight-seeing and religious activities are involved. For sightseeing, you can visit the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, temples in and around the city, Wagah-Atari Border, etc. Shopping for Punjabi jootis, clothes and eatables like Amritsari Papad and Wadiyan are some of the other activities you can indulge in. How can you forget the dhaba food and makhan wali lassi when you are at Amritsar? During your visit to the Golden Temple, you should eat the prasad and langar food. If you have enough time, stay back for the ‘Palki’ and do ‘Seva’ at the Temple.

Travelling by train is a good option if you like to be comfortable, spend economically on your travel and spend quality time with friends and family, even during the journey. Amritsar has a good airport, good connectivity by road and trains from different parts of India. As usual be aware of what should be the acceptable charges of cabs and auto rickshaws or else be ready to get overcharged. Do not get hurried by the drivers, be firm and decisive when they approach you.
HIQ Member, Gurgaon

QUICK FACTS
State: Punjab
District: Amritsar
Languages(s) spoken: Punjabi and Hindi
Weather: Summers (21 C - 43 C) and Winters (10 C - 26 C)

GETTING THERE
Nearest Airport: Raja Sansi Airport
Nearest Railhead: Amritsar Junction
Main Highways: NH 64 and NH 1
Best time to visit: October to March

TOURISM INFO
Tourism Office: Centre Palace Hotel, Opposite Amritsar Railway Station
Tel: 0183-2402452
Tourism Info Office
Near main entrance of Golden Temple
Tel: 2553954

Where to stay
Amritsar has a wide range of staying options. Holiday IQ lists 70 hotels of various types in and around Amritsar. With tariffs ranging from as low as Rs 300 per night to as high as Rs 6,000 per night, you will always find a hotel to meet your budget.