Amritsar – All You Need To Know About This Magnificent Indian City

Amritsar, the spiritual home of Sikhism, is one of the most important places in India and is especially known for its impressive Golden Temple. Located in the state of Punjab, Amritsar is a major commercial and religious hub as well as being a great tourist attraction. From its incredible architectural marvels, to its vibrant culture and lively street life, this city has something for everyone. Here we look at the fascinating history of Amritsar and all you need to know about this majestic city of India.

History of Amritsar

The city of Amritsar was founded in 1577 by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das. He had chosen the site to build a beautiful pool named Amritsar, which means “Pool of Necter”. The city itself was built in 1604 by Guru Arjan Dev and became the spiritual centre of Sikhism. During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the late 18th century, Amritsar flourished and came to be known as the “cultural and religious capital” of Punjab. The city also became an important center for trade and commerce, attracting merchants from all over India and beyond.The city, however, has been witness to devastating violence and destruction. In 1919, the British massacred hundreds of peaceful protesters at Jallianwala Bagh park located near the Golden Temple. This tragic event still haunts Amritsar till this day and serves as a stark reminder of the cruelty inflicted upon innocent civilians by a foreign force.

Culture and Religion

Amritsar is imbued with a wonderful culture that dates back centuries. This dynamic city has its own unique culture that mixes tradition with modernity in exciting ways. Change is a constant here is you can feel the evolution on its bustling streets where antiquity meets modernity everywhere you look. The various religious sites, monuments and street-side cafes add to the excitement of the place.At the same time, religion plays an important role in daily life for many people here. Sikhism is the main religion in Amritsar with the illustrious Golden Temple being its crowning glory. It is known as the holiest shrine for the faithful and visitors come from near and far to seek divine blessings from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Book of Sikhism kept here. While some come to simply soak up the spiritual beauty of this grand temple, most pay their respects to the religion which is an integral part of this special city.

Sights and Attractions

Amritsar is famous for its many monuments, religious sites and attractions. The Golden Temple is so majestic that it cannot be ignored and is a must-visit spot when you are here. The intricate architecture, opulent interiors and captivating sights will surely leave a lasting impression on you. Other places of interest include the Jallianwala Bagh park, which serves as a vivid reminder of painful memories from the past and Akal Takht, the seat of political power for the Sikh religion. Visitors can also visit the Wagah Border Ceremony which takes place here daily just before sunset and makes for an unforgettable experience.Apart from this, there is plenty to do in Amritsar. In addition to its peaceful religious places, it offers plenty of shopping opportunities such as Ajanta Mall, Jewel Plaza Mall and Noorbhag Shopping Complex. For those looking for something a bit different, you can head to local eateries such as Family Hotels or Handi Restaurants which serve up some delicious North Indian dishes.

Culinary Experience

Amritsar has a vibrant culinary scene and there are plenty of delicious local dishes you can try. The most popular dish associated with Amritsar is Amritsari Kulcha, a type of flatbread filled with mashed potatoes, cheese or other ingredients like cauliflower, carrots or onions. This dish is best served with traditional Amritsari chutneys like green chilli chutney or garlic chutney. The famous Amritsari Fish is another staple dish that is served both in restaurants and at home. It is essentially fried fish made with gram flour batter, spices and herbs. The fish is served with coriander chutney and lemon slices –a combination that will tantalize your taste buds! Apart from these two dishes, visitors can try other authentic dishes such as Sarson Ka Saag – a thick spinach based gravy dish made with butter, Makke Di Roti – a type of flatbread made from corn flour and Dals – soups made with lentils, onion and spices that are usually served as accompaniments for other dishes or can be eaten alone.

Getting Around

Amritsar has an efficient public transport system that makes getting around easy. The most popular form of transport in Amritsar is auto-rickshaws, who often ply their services on fixed routes. There are also public buses which operate on regular routes but they are more crowded than auto-rickshaws during rush hour. The other option would be to hire local taxis which can be booked through apps like Ola or Uber. Cycling around Amritsar is also a great way to explore this city as it allows you to take in all its sights at a leisurely pace. For tourists, renting out bicycles or e-bikes is also an option which can be done from bike rental companies like Bikxie or Yulu Bikes.

Conclusion

Amritsar is a delightful city located in Punjab that boasts amazing attractions such as the iconic Golden Temple, shopping complexes like Ajanta Mall, Jewel Plaza Mall and Noorbhag Shopping Complex as well as plethora of local eateries serving up some delectable local dishes like Amritsari kulchas and traditional dals. It also offers an interesting cultural landscape that has evolved over centuries making it an interesting destination full of surprises! Thus, Amritsar truly has something to offer everyone making it a must visit destination! To learn more about what this city has to offer in terms of attractions and insights into its culture as well as local businesses, be sure to take a look at Amritsar Pages – an online platform dedicated to helping people discover all that Amritsar has to offer!