Amritsar is
a city with a splendid blend of tradition and culture. With important religious
centers and historical sites, the city reveals a magnificent past and a
promising future. The city is known as the Jewel of Punjab. There are several
heritage and religious attractions in Amritsar. Some of the major attractions
are as follows:
Places to
See in Amritsar
Golden temple (Harmandir Sahib)
.png "Golden temple (Harmandir Sahib)")
It is one of
the most sacred pilgrimage spots for Sikhs. The temple derives its name from
its fully golden dome. The temple is built over marble and is two storied high
structure. Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru of Sikhs had initially built a pool
here which currently houses the Temple. It is the epicenter of Sikhism.
The Granth
Sahib is kept in the Temple during day time and at night it is kept in the Akal
Takht or Eternal Throne. The Akal Takht also contains the ancient weapons used
by the Sikh warriors. There is also a Central Sikh Museum atop the clock tower.
The 'Guru Ka Langar' offers free food to approximately two thousand people
everyday with number going up to one lakh on special occasions. A visitor to
the temple must cover his or her head all the time while in the temple
premises.
Wagah Border
Wagah is the
only road border crossing between Pakistan and India between Aritsar and Lahore
cities.Wagah also termed as "Wagha" in Pakistan.The international
border between India and Pakistan is located at a distance of 28 km from
Amritsar. The ceremonial display of the Beating Retreat and Change of Guard
makes it an extraordinary spectacle. The soldiers from both countries
demonstrate great enthusiasm and spirit as nationalistic fervor rises amidst
roaring applause.
Jallianwala Bagh
In 1919, the
British under the command of General Dyer fired randomly on a peaceful gathering
of people in demand of freedom, resulting in hundreds of men, women and
children killed on the spot. The bullet marks on the boundary walls bring alive
the agonizing tale of cruelty of the British rule. This event was one of the
major incidents of India's freedom struggle. The memorial well is also present
here in which some people jumped to escape the firing. The story of the
massacre is told in the Martyr's Gallery at the site.
Akal Takht
Just near
the Golden Temple of Amritsar and opposite to the marbled Darshni Deorhi, the
Akal Takht stands pretty. Considered the highest seat of the Sikh authority,
the Akal Takht was built by Guru Hargovind in the year 1609. Shri Hargovind was
the sixth guru of the Sikhs who made immense contribution to popularize the
religion. Regarded as the Lord's home, it is called - Akal Bunga.
Durgiana Temple
The temple
is dedicated to Goddess Durga and its structural design resembles the golden
temple. The temple dates back to 16th century. Detailed carved paintings of the
Goddess in her different incarnations are displayed in this shrine. Various
other deities are also found in the interiors of the temple. The temple has a
remarkable splendor and elegance of its own.
Ram Bagh
Ram Bagh is
a beautiful garden and is a tribute to Guru Ram Das, the founder of the city.
Famed as the summer palace of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh, it has now been
converted into a museum which exhibits weapons from Mughal times to portraits
of ruling houses of Punjab and the replica of "Kohinoor" diamond.
Ram Tirath
Located at a
distance of 12 Km from Amritsar, the place has an ancient tank and several
temples. It is the site where Goddess Sita gave birth to her sons Luv and Kush.
A four day fair takes place here, starting on the full moon night in November.
Mata Temple
This
labyrinthine type of Hindu cave temple is dedicated to the female saint, Lal
Devi. Women who wish to become pregnant visit this temple to pray. The twisty
route to the shrine passes through low tunnels, ankle-deep waterways, walkways,
staircases and caves.
Tarn Taran Saheb
Located in
the state of Punjab, Tarn Taran Saheb is a city that was founded by Shri Guru
Anjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru. He had also laid the foundation of Tarn Taran
Sahib Temple. Tarn Taran was later declared
as a district and it has the
largest percentage of Sikh population in Punjab. It has many gurudwaras, most
popular being the Gurudwara Darbar Sahib. With its gold-plated structure and a
sarovar (pond), this three-storeyed edifice is undoubtedly the main attraction
of the city. Tarn Taran is well connected to other cities by roads and rail
lines.
Faridkot Fort
The Amritsar
tourist attraction flaunts several fabulous locations and Faridkot Fort is one
of them. Established near the famous city of Ferozepur, Faridkot Fort attracts
the attention of both local and global travelers. As per the historical records
of the Punjab tourist places, Faridkot Fort came into being some 700 years
back. As such, this fort of Amritsar claims a distinct mention in the heritage
of Punjab.
Govind Garh Fort
One of the
Amritsar Tourist Attractions, the Govind Garh Fort is a very important site
with immense historical significance. Locally known as the 'Bhangian Da Quila',
the fort was constructed in the year 1760.Historical evidences prove that the
fort belonged to Gujjar Singh Bhangi during the early nineteenth century, which
gave it the earlier mentioned name.
Pul Kanjari
This village
is about 35 km away from Amritsar and Lahore and Maharaja Ranjit Singh had been
staying here in a Baradari as and when he passed by with his troops. It has
been declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. It is said that once when
a young dancer was going to Maharaja's Baradari for a dance performance, her
shoe slipped into the water channel. A bridge (pul) was especially constructed
to take her shoe out as the dancer had then refused to perform till she gets
back her shoe and hence this place got its name. Pul Kanjari also has a temple,
a mosque and a Gurudwara that speaks of the secular attitude of this place. The
village is also popular for shopping.
Jama Masjid Khairuddin
This
religious center in Amritsar is known for its beautiful architecture. It was
built in 1976 by Mohammed Khairuddin and speaks of his struggle for freedom.
There is a mosque nearby which attracts many pilgrims to this area. This is the
holy spot where Tootie-e-Hind, Shah Attaullah Bukhari protested against the
British Rule. Tourists from all over the world and the local people are
attracted to this place which is easily accessible.
Samadhi of Guru Angad Dev Ji
Built in
1815 AD, the Samadhi of Guru Angad Dev Ji was built by the great Maharaja
Ranjit Singh. It is situated at a distance of about 30 km from Amritsar. Guru
Angad was the second Guru of Sikhs? and a devout follower of Guru Nanak.
Khoo Kalyanwala
This city
has played a vital role in relieving India from the British rule. During the
Revolt of 1857, a platoon of 400 soldiers at Lahore protested against the
British and swam across Ravi to reach Ajnala. But as per the orders of then the
Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar, Fedric Cooper, they were all locked up in a
tiny room where around 200 soldiers died because of suffocation and the rest
were shot dead and thrown into the Kalyanwala Khoo (well).
Historical Banyan Tree
Located just
outside the Ram Bagh Garden, the Historical Banyan Tree or Shaheedi Bohr is
just a few kilometers away from Amritsar. This great historical Banyan tree
serves as a reminder of the long British rule in India during which many fought
bravely and gave up their lives for freedom of the Nation. The Historical
Banyan tree is a huge with lush, green leaves and a widely spread branches.
Four Namdharis were hung here to death in 1871 after they had objected against
the hawking of beef near the Golden Temple, Amritsar.
About PRABISH BISHUNGKHE
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