Amritsar is synonymous with the world-famous Golden Temple, but there are so many other things to do in Amritsar! One of the most revered cities in India, this holy city has a lot to offer. In this article, we give you a list of the most interesting things you can do when you visit Amritsar.
Amritsar – An Overview
Amritsar was founded by Sri Guru Ramdas ji, the fourth Guru of the Sikh religion, in around 1574 A.D. The Guru invited 52 traders from different sectors to settle here and start the city. Before this, the city was just a greenland of thick forests and several lakes. Today, Amritsar is one of the most important cities in Punjab. It is a major commercial, cultural and transportation hub. Commonly referred to as the holy city of the Sikhs, its main highlight is the majestic Golden Temple. Besides that, there are many things to do and places to visit in Amritsar.
The best time to visit Amritsar is from October to March, which is peak tourist season. The monsoon months of July, August, and September are also pleasant in this city.
If you are looking for a place rich in history, culture, spirituality, and gastronomical delights, you have to visit Amritsar. With bustling streets and a colorful vibe, the city is truly one of a kind. Here is our guide on things to do and visit in Amritsar.
1. Visit the Golden Temple
The first place anyone would recommend to you in Amritsar is the Golden Temple, and rightfully so. Located in the heart of Amritsar, the holy Golden Temple is the most significant place of worship in Sikhism. Also known as the Harmandir Sahib and Darbar Sahib, the Golden Temple is actually just a small part of the huge Gurguwara complex, and is the holiest shrine in Sikhism.
The Golden Temple complex is built on a rectangular platform and made out of pure gold, precious stones, and white marble. The platform is surrounded by a pool of water called the Amrit Sarovar.
It is one of the most widely visited places with over one lakh tourists and devotees coming in on a daily basis, and yet, you will feel a sense of calmness amid the crowd.
Walking around the Golden Temple complex while admiring its architectural beauty is a surreal experience. For the ultimate spiritual experience, visit the temple early in the morning when the Guru Granth Sahib is chanted. The temple is less crowded in the evening, making it a very different experience. Every night, the holy book is carried away to its “bedroom” in the Akal Takht. The Golden Temple at night is a sight to behold as the structure is lit up in lights that reflect in the water around it.
The Golden Temple is a very sacred place, so avoid wearing shorts or short dresses in the temple premises. Before entering, you will be asked to cover your head with a piece of cloth, so we suggest carrying a scarf, dupatta, or a large handkerchief. If you forget to do so, they will provide you with one or you can buy one on the way. You will also have to deposit your shoes at the shoe counters and you will receive a token. Do not lose the token if you want your shoes back.
2. Guru ka Langar – Have a meal in the world’s largest kitchen
Started by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, a Langar is a community kitchen where volunteers from the Sikh community serve free meals to everyone regardless of race, caste, and religion. Langars are served in all Gurudwaras, but Amritsar’s Golden Temple Langar is the largest in the world! They serve more than 50,000 people daily, and more than 1,00,000 people on festivals.
The food is prepared by volunteers who chop, clean, cook the vegetables, and even wash the dishes in the Golden Temple kitchen. The food is vegetarian and nutritious and the meals usually consist of roti (flat bread), rice, dal (lentils), and kheer (Indian sweet dish). It is a humbling experience, sitting on the floor with everyone else and having a delicious meal. You get the interact with locals, experience the culture and the hospitality of the Sikh community. You can also volunteer in the kitchen, so if you get the opportunity, go for it.
3. Experience Patriotism at Wagah Border
The Wagah Attari border on Grand Trunk Road is the dividing line between India and Pakistan. It is also known as the Berlin Wall of Asia. Since 1959, the “lowering of flags” or “Beating Retreat Ceremony” is held every evening. Hundreds of people come to witness this 30-minute ceremony which includes a parade by soldiers on both sides of the border ending with lowering of flags of both the nations. This ceremony is a symbol of brotherhood, an overnight truce, and a bit of rivalry as both countries put on a show to display their strength.
If you are in Amritsar, we would definitely recommend attending this ceremony. It is a one of a kind experience with a feeling of patriotism in the air. More than 15,000 visitors gather daily for this ceremony, while over 35,000 can be seen on public holidays and festivals.
However, if there is tension between the countries, avoid going to this India-Pakistan border at all costs.
4. Go on a shopping spree
If you are in the mood to shop, there are many bustling bazaars in Amritsar.
Just 10 minutes from the Golden Temple is Hall Bazaar, one of the oldest and most popular local markets in the city. The entrance to the market is through the Gandhi Gate, or the Hall Gate, which has a giant clock. This market has rows of shops selling clothes, ornaments, electronic gadgets, and more. The bazaar is known for designer Chinese lamps, phulkari embroidery work, and Pakistani juttis at great value. If you want to wear an Indian outfit while visiting the Golden Temple, you can simply get one from here.
One of the other vibrant bazaars is the Katra Jaimal Singh Market. The market is famous for its clothing stores and the streets are filled with retail shops and food joints. You can buy authentic styles of clothes, beautiful phulkari dupattas, gorgeous punjabi juttis, and more at this market.
Other local bazaars include Guru Bazaar, Lahori Gate Market, Rani Ka Bagh, and Shastri Market.
5. Visit Jallianwala Bagh
The Jallianwala Bagh stands as a reminder of India’s freedom struggle against the British forces. On 13 April 1919, a large crowd of peaceful protesters had gathered to protest against the Rowalatt Act and the arrest of two pro-independence activists. In response, brigadier general R.E.H. Dyer ordered his troops to surround the Jallianwala Bagh and open fire. Hundreds of innocent civilians died and hundreds were wounded in what is called the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, or the Amritsar Massacre.
The incident left a deep scar on the country. A memorial was built for those who lost their lives, while a public garden was built and inaugurated by Dr Rajendra Prasad.
The garden is one of the most visited places in Amritsar and a mark of national importance. It includes a portion of the wall with the bullet marks from the incident, and a well in which many people jumped to avoid dying at the hands of the British.
A light and sound show takes place here in the evening that gives you a glimpse of the incident.
6. Visit the beautiful temples in Amritsar
Apart from the Golden temple, the holy city Amritsar is home to many other religious sites worth visiting.
The Durgiana Temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga, is a famous Hindi pilgrimage site in Amritsar. The hindu temple was originally built in the 16th century, and then rebuilt in the 1920s. It is also known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple, or the Silver Temple, because of its stunningly carved silver doors.
At Rani Ka Bagh is the Mata Lal Devi Temple, dedicated to the female saint Lal Devi from the 20th century who is believed to grant wishes of women who want to become mothers. The temple is famous for its intricate architecture resembling the Vaishno Devi temple at Katra.
The Ram Tirth Temple in Amritsar is dedicated to the renowned sage Valmiki, who wrote the Hindu epic Ramayana. It is believed that the temple is built at the site of his ashram where he gave shelter to Maa Sita after being abandoned by her husband Lord Rama. This is also believed to be the site where Luv and Kush fought the epic battle with their father, Lord Rama.
7. Take a history lesson at the Forts and Museums in Amritsar
Amritsar is a city seeped in history, and has a lot to offer for history enthusiasts.
Situated in Bathinda district, the Bathinda fort was built by Raja Dab during 90 to 110 AD. It is also known as Quila Mubarak or Gobindgarh and played an important role during the reign of Razia Sultan, India’s first female ruler.
The structure of the fort is like a ship amidst the sand dunes. It includes a Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), the royal residence of the queen, the royal kitchen, and a gurudwara built to commemorate Guru Gobind Singh’s visit.
The Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum in Amritsar was built in honour of Ranjit Singh, a famous ruler of the 18th and 19th century. He was known as the “Lion of Punjab”, who founded the Sikh Empire by conquering a large part of Northwest India from the Mughals. The museum showcases some of his most important battles, along with artefacts like coins, paintings, weapons, manuscripts and suits of armour from that time.
The Gobindgarh Fort was initially built by Gujjar Singh and later modified by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The fort is constructed with intricate architecture and gives a glimpse of the life of the Sikh leaders. The Darbar Hall, Hawa Mahal, and Phansi Ghar are some of the main attractions in the fort.
A more recent addition to Amritsar is the Partition Museum, situated at the Town Hall on Heritage Street. The museum showcases a collection of memoirs and artefacts of the period leading up to, during, and following the partition of British india.
8. Enjoy lip-smacking Punjabi food
Amritsar is a foodie’s paradise. The city has a number of street food stalls, restaurants, and the famous dhabas, full of authentic dishes catering to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
Punjabi food items are loaded with fats, so make it a cheat day, since you cannot leave without trying authentic Punjabi cuisine.
A must try is the famous Aloo Kulchas at Kulcha Land. It is a bread baked in a wood fire oven with a delicious potato filling. The kulchas are served with a blob of white butter along with some tasty chickpeas and a spicy coriander chutney.
Beera Chicken House sells mouthwatering tandoori chicken made with a recipe from 1972. Around the corner from this place is Mkhan Fish & Chicken Corner, Amritsar, where you will get amazing fish tikkas.
If you are a vegetarian, you have to try Kesar Da Dhaba. They serve yummy maa ki daal, lachcha paratha, palak paneer, and smoky baingan bharta (eggplant). Do not leave without tasting their phirni for dessert, a creamy delicacy served in earthen pots.
You cannot leave Amritsar without drinking at least one glass of lassi at Ahuja Milk Bhandar. A heavy, cool drink made of blended yogurt or buttermilk with a few spices and salt or sugar, this drink will leave you wanting more.
A few dishes you have to try in Amritsar are aloo paratha, butter chicken, dal makhani, and kulfa, along with jalebis from Gurdas Ram Jalebi wala, Pooris from Kanha Sweets, special masala chai from Giani tea stall, and more. Do also have a communal meal at Guru ka Langar.
Read on: Explore the Pleasures of Activities in India
9. Live with a local
What better way to experience a city at its most authentic than to live with a local? This is an experience that adds a certain charm to your stay, especially living at a homestay. You can observe a culture and the people’s daily lifestyle.
In a culture as vibrant as unique as Amritsar’s, we would recommend living with a local for at least a part of your stay to get the full desi experience.
All in all, we’d suggest spending a day or two in Amritsar, especially since it has so much more to offer than just the Golden temple. Use this list as your go-to guide and you’re in for a treat as you explore this lively city. If you are visiting India for the first time, get in touch with us. We’ll help plan the ideal trip for you, one that is customized to fit all your needs and interests.
If you’re in Amritsar, there are several neighboring cities that you ought to explore. Take a look at some of the routes taken up by our past clients. Better yet, simply hit the Plan Your Trip button and we’ll help turn your dream trip into reality.
