Tourism in Amritsar

Amritsar is a city situated in the state of northern Punjab, the northwestern region of India. It is 25 kilometres (15 miles) away from the Pakistan border. This important Punjab city is the main centre of commerce, culture, and transportation. It is the centre of Sikhism and the principal place of worship for Sikhs.[1][2] Amritsar is attractive destination for tourists[3][4], especially those part of Golden Triangle.[5] Major destinations are:

Museum and Memorials

Religious places

Golden temple

Famous for its full golden dome, the Golden temple or Harmindar Sahib is the most sacred pilgrim spot for Sikhs. The temple is a two storied construction built on 67 ft square marble. Every day more than 20,000 people, (during special occasions 100,000 people) have free food in the ‘Guru-ka-langer’, irrespective of caste, creed, colour or gender. [23]

Jama Masjid Khairuddin

This architectural beauty situated in the Hall Bazar, was built by Mohd. Khairuddin in 1876. Tootie-e-Hind, Shah Attaullah Bukhari gave a call against the British rule at this holy place.

Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal

Located on Amritsar Lopoke, 11 km to the west of Amritsar city, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal dates back to the Ramayana period to Rishi Valmiki’s heritage.[24] There is a hut that marks the place where Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush. Since time immemorial, in November, on the full moon night, a four-day fair is held here.

Other religious places in Amritsar:

• St. Paul’s church

• Samadhi of Guru Angad Dev Ji

• Samadhi of Shravan

• Durgiana Temple (Lakshmi Narayan Temple)

Historical Places

Wagha Border

An army outpost, Wagha, on the international Indo-Pak border between Amritsar and Lahore has a daily evening highlight - "Beating the Retreat" ceremony. It is when the soldiers from both the countries march in perfect drill, bring down their respective flags, and shake hands.

Jallian Wala Bagh

This memorial honours the 2000 Indians who were massacred indiscriminately while participating in peaceful public meeting, under the command of British General Michael O’Dyer on 13 April 1919. Along with the memorial well where people jumped to escape, the section wall where bullet marks are still visible, are still preserved.

Khoo Kalianwala

In 1857, when Mangal Pandey rebelled against the British, the inspired 400 soldiers platoon stationed at Lahore escaped from their barracks, swam the river Ravi and reached Ajnala. When Mr. Fredric Cooper, the then Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar received the information, he ordered to put them all in a coop-like room. Here, 200 soldiers died of asphyxia and next morning the rest of them were brutally shot dead. Their dead bodies were thrown in Kalianwala Khoo in Tehsil Ajnala.

Other historical sites:

• The Historical Banyan Tree (Shaheedi Bohr)

• Pul Kanjari

• Gobindgarh Fort

Wild Life Sanctuaries

Harike Bird Sanctuary

Created in 1953, this sanctuary located 55km south of the Amritsar city is also known as ‘Hari-ke-pattan’. The Harike lake situated in the deeper parts of the sanctuary is the largest wetland in northern India. A barrage was constructed at the confluences of Sutlej and Beas rivers to create a shallow reservoir. It is home to an enormous concentration of migratory waterfowls during winters, 7 species of turtles, 26 species of fishes, and different species of mammals.[25]

Shopping

Hall market, located on the way to Golden temple is one of the oldest markets in Amritsar. Amritsari Naan (a type of bread), Patiala Salwar (traditional bottom wear of Punjab), Jootis (Traditional bottom wear), handicrafts like phulkari, and weaponry shops with daggers (krippan) are available here.

Katra Jaimal Singh bazaar is another famous market for the textile and clothing items other than Shastri market where textile manufacturing industries are located. The traditional Indian jewellery ‘jadau’ can be found in Guru Bazaar. For restaurants and showrooms Lohri gate market is quite popular.[26]

References

  1. ↑ "About Amritsar". amritsar.nic.in. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  2. ↑ "Tourism in Amritsar". cleartrip.com. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  3. ↑ "The Golden Temple in Amritsar is now the most visited religious place in the world". Architectural Design | Interior Design | Home Decoration Magazine | AD India. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  4. ↑ "Golden Temple wins laurels as world's most visited religious place". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  5. ↑ Bagga, Neeraj (11 July 2018). "Amritsar, the emerging fourth angle of Golden Triangle". The Tribune Chandigarh.
  6. ↑ "The Real Marigold Hotel: What a month in India taught me about the country's poverty, history and serenity". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  7. ↑ "'Amritsar's Heritage Street in a shambles' - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  8. ↑ "Amritsar: War memorial's Kargil gallery to be thrown open on July 15". hindustan times. 2018-06-14. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  9. ↑ "PUNJAB TO TRANSFORM 30 PLACES AS TOURIST ATTRACTION CENTERS". The Pioneer. 12 June 2018.
  10. ↑ "Sadda Pind: Free entry ticket for meritorious students". The Tribune. 1 June 2018.
  11. ↑ "Heritage project: Know real Punjab at 'Sadda Pind'". hindustan times. 2016-10-23. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  12. ↑ "As Punjab govt gears up to open Lahore-like food street in Amritsar, no takers for existing one". hindustan times. 2018-02-26. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  13. ↑ Dangwal, Sandhya (2017-04-02). "18th century Gobindgarh Fort thrown open to public after completion of its restoration work". India.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  14. ↑ Bagga, Neeraj (16 July 2018). "ASI lifts photography ban, tourists cheer". The Tribune.
  15. ↑ "Crowd heads for Wagah border on long Independence Day weekend - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  16. ↑ "The Partition Museum: Opening up about the pain". The National. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  17. ↑ "Tales of '47 move Trudeau at Partition Museum". The Asian Age. 2018-02-26. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  18. ↑ "Shaheed Udham Singh's 10-foot high statue to be inaugurated at Jallianwala Bagh on March 13". hindustan times. 2018-03-10. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  19. ↑ "Amarinder Singh opens second phase of Jang-e-Azadi memorial at Kartarpur - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  20. ↑ "Amritsar: War memorial's Kargil gallery to be thrown open on July 15". hindustan times. 2018-06-14. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  21. ↑ "Amritsar: Army chief visits Partition Museum - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  22. ↑ "Amarinder Singh opens second phase of Jang-e-Azadi memorial at Kartarpur - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  23. ↑ "Top Attractions in Amritsar". punjabtourism.gov.in. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  24. ↑ "Badals inaugurate Valmiki temple in Amritsar". The Indian Express. 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  25. ↑ "Harike Wildlife Sanctuary". colorsofamritsar.com. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  26. ↑ "List of 5 Best Shopping Markets in Amritsar". amazingindiablog.in. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
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