Amritsar- the holy city of the Sikhs, is famous for the Golden Temple, built by Guru Arjun Dev and is set in midst of a pool reputed to have miraculous healing powers. It is the holiest of Sikh temples where their holy Sikh bible is read 24 hours a day. The present shrine stands in the middle of a large rectangular water tank reached by a marble causeway on the west. The marble building is much influenced by late Mughal architecture and the exterior is completely gilded with gold leaf, inlaid marble, carved woodwork, ivory mosaic and embossed gold and silver work interiors. Here the Murals illustrate scenes from the lives of the Sikh Gurus.
The Jallianwala Bagh, where the evidence of appalling Amritsar massacre on 13th April 1919 can be visited. Under a state of marshal law, General Dyer dispersed a large crowd with heavy casualties and this place which is now a national monument, still bears the bullet marks of this tragedy. Visit the Khalsa College, which is a large institution affiliated to the east Punjab University of art and science. The other places of interest are Rambagh Garden, Glency Medical College, Durgiana Temple and Kashmir Emporium.
Getting There:
By Air : Amritsar is connected by air with Delhi and Srinagar.
By Rail: Amritsar is connected by rail with Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay, Varanasi, Wagah (Attari Border) and some other places in India.
By Road: Amritsar is connected by bus with Ambala, Chandigarh, Delhi, Ferozepur, Jammu etc. Some of the road distances are as follows:- Jammu 216 kms, Ferozepur 160 kms, Chandigarh 235 kms, Delhi 435 kms and Wagah 29 kms.
Local Transport: Cycle Rickshaws, Taxis, City buses
Tourist Attractions:
The Golden Temple :
Here Sikhs from all over the world come to pay their reverence to Guru Granth Sahib and take a dip in the Amrit Saras Kund for spiritual purification, is the major landmark of the place. It was founded by the fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ram Das. The Golden Temple is a two storey marble structure, with an imposing dome of pure gold. The original copy of the Granth Sahib, which is kept in the Golden Temple during the day, is ceremoniously returned to the Akal Takht, at night.
Jalianwala Bagh :
It is a poignant memorial of the freedom movement. This garden commemorates the martyrs, keeping the tragic episode in its historical context. General Dyer, a British general ordered firings against innocent people on April 13, 1919, which took lives of over 2000 unarmed people. Today, this site of brutal massacre, encloses a memorial with an eternal flame, dedicated to the martyrs.
Durgiana Temple : Located outside the Lohagarh gate of the old city, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is a centre of pilgrimage for devout Hindus. Other attractions of the city are Baba Atal Rai Tower, Ram Bagh garden, Fatehabad Mosque, Tarn Taran, Harike Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary, Wagha Border. |
