The Ultimate Guide to Amritsar – What You Need to Know and How To Visit This Epic City!

Amritsar, located in India’s Punjab region, is a bustling and vibrant cityknown for its culture, architecture and the most popular pilgrimage site of Sikhism, the Golden Temple. It is one of the holiest cities for Sikhism and draws millions of visitors annually who come to learn about the Sikh culture and history, visit the one of a kind attractions, explore the markets and enjoy amazing cuisine. This ultimate guide to Amritsar is a comprehensive source to provide you with every piece of information you need to know before, during and after your visit, so let’s jump right into it!

What to See in Amritsar

When it comes to sightseeing in Amritsar, the must-visit, iconic place is the Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is open to people of all faiths and is a unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture, making it an important pilgrimage site that hosts an estimated 100,000 visitors per day. The temple is breathtaking due to its beauty and symbolic golden dome, which is adorned with intricate Koftgari work. Other prominent religious sites are Durgiana Mandir and Mata Lal Devi Mandir.Other popular sites in Amritsar include the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Martyrs’ Memorial, Wagah-Attari Border, Gobindgarh Fort, Gurudwara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama in Summer Palace. The city also houses some historic buildings from the British era such as Town Hall and Kot Khalsa. The architectural marvels are: Akal Takht, Gurudwara Dera Baba Nanak Sahib, Gurudwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib Ji and Gurudwara Shaammedan Sahib – all of which are visited by Sikh pilgrims. Back in time, the city was known for its tradition of Bhangra Dance which was revived by Punjabi artist “Gidha” in the form of a reality show back in 1969. The dance form has become popular across India as well as abroad. Moreover, the city is known for its traditional form of wrestling called “Kushti” which is still widely practiced by locals.

Shopping Destinations & Markets in Amritsar

A visit to Amritsar is incomplete without experiencing its lively markets and bazaars. The city hosts many local markets where you can get anything from traditional attire to modern fashion garments at very reasonable prices. The most important – and definitely the busiest markets – are Katra Ahluwalia Market, Hall Bazar and Chheharta Market. Katra Ahluwalia Market, known for its large selection of fabric items and apparel, is one of the oldest markets in Amritsar and a great spot for local shopping.Hall Bazaar is a wholesale market stretching from Hall Gate (near Golden Temple) to Chowk Ghanta Ghar (the old clock tower). It serves as the largest market for fabrics, garments, wedding accessories, handicrafts and more. Chheharta Market stands out with its great variety of luggage items like suitcases and trolleys at low price points.

Where to Eat In Amritsar?

Amritsar’s culinary scene is heavily influenced by Punjabi cuisine – an amalgamation of Mughlai and Afghani style cooking with an adaptation to local spices and ingredients. Some of the city’s popular eateries serving authentic dishes include: Kanha Sweets & Snacks (famous for its mithai), Bharawan Da Dhaba (worth tasting their chicken butter masala), Kesar da Dhaba (traditional dishes), Giani di Hatti (famous for its gulab jamun), Bawa Sweet Shop (popular for its kulfi) and Rajasthan Sweets Corner (try its khoya gulab jamun). Moreover, when it comes to trying out different cuisines in Amritsar, Main Street Café & Bar, Annapurna Family Restaurant, Arjun Bistro & Bar, Mughal Durbar Restaurant, Ayub’s Eating Corner & Sweets Center and Raja Sweets Corner are perfect spots worth visiting.

Accommodations & Where To Stay in Amritsar

Amritsar provides a wide range of accommodations for different budget ranges. Here is a list of hotels worth considering:

• Galleon Luxury Suites: Situated in the heart of Amritsar – just 500 metres from Golden Temple – this hotel promises great accommodation along with all modern amenities. From standard rooms to suite rooms they have great deal packages available.
• The Solitaire: This is a 4-star hotel powered by solar energy featuring wellness spa and many dining options. Every room of this hotel is equipped with modern amenities.
• Boarders Inn & Suites: Located just 1 km away from Golden Temple; Boarders Inn & Suites provide all modern amenities at budget prices.
• Royal Guest House: This budget hotel is located just 600 metres from GoldenTemple. All rooms are equipped with necessary facilities.
• Golden Village Homestay: Located next to Golden Temple this family run homestay provides you a great opportunity to explore Amritsar like locals.

How To Reach Amritsar

Amritsar stands about 467 km from India’s capital New Delhi and is well connected by airways and Indian railways – both national as well as international flights operate from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport.Amritsarairport.org The closest major railway station is Mananwala Railway Station located in Hussainiwala Village (30 km away). For local transportation, auto rickshaws are quite popular in the city while taxis can also be booked conveniently. Besttaxiappinindia.com

Best Time To Visit Amritsar

The best time to visit Amritsar is between October to March when temperatures stay moderate and you can enjoy sightseeing comfortably. During winters temperature drops below 10°C making it colder than most cities across India. Summer season starts from March and can get unbearably hot during June-July stifling heat waves at times making it difficult for sightseeing activities. The monsoons come in between June-September bringing torrential rain with them making it difficult to explore the city during this period. In conclusion, Amritsar should definitely be added on your bucket list if you’re looking for an experience that is unique without comprising on traditional culture and cuisine along with iconic sites including the stunning Golden Temple drawing lots of pilgrims annually.India.com/Travel/Amritsar/ It is recommended you plan your visit depending upon the season as some activities like sightseeing may become difficult during extreme weather conditions while there are plenty of opportunities throughout the year to explore what this vibrant city has to offer.