Amritsar Tourism and Travel Guide
History of Amritsar is really fascinating. The city has been famous for puissant Sikhs and has legends attached to it. According to the legend, when the fourth Guru of the Sikhs Guru Ram Das heard about the healing powers of the pool, he ordered his son Guru Arjan Dev to erect a temple at the site. In 1588, the foundations of a city were laid which later on became an emblem of Sikh culture and history. The city came to be known as Ramdaspur or Guru Ram Das di Nagri (city of Guru Ram Das).
The Temple compound was completed in 1601. Historians say that Mughal emperor Akbar
also donated the land close to the temple after paying off the local Jat farmers. After the completion of the Temple, Guru Granth Sahib (Also called Adi Granth), holy book of Sikhs was installed in the Temple. The Temple became popular as Harmandir (Temple of God).
The traders including Khatris and Aroras were called by Guru Ji to settle in the vicinity of the Gurudwara. A new town grew up with the arrival of all these businessmen. Golden Temple was plundered many times but by God’s grace the Temple got much more offerings from its devotees that helped in its reconstruction.
Ahmad Shah Durrani forayed the town in the late 18th century. Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated 100 kilos of gold for the temple and rebuilt the town. The Temple got its name from the golden plating on the outer walls.
Amritsar was always threatened from both Muslim and Hindu rulers. Guru Hargobind bastioned the city and started accepting offerings in the form of weapons for the security of the Temple. After accession to the throne Salim (younger son of Akbar) asked Guru Arjan Dev to accept Islam. Guru refused and got killed by Salim who came to be known as Emperor Jahangir.
In India’s history of freedom struggle, Amritsar has a significant place. Due to the protests against Rowlatt Act, British General Dyer imposed a ban on holding meetings. In the Jallianwala Bagh, without any warning he open fired thousand of innocent men, women and children who gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the Khalsa panth (order of the Khalsa).
Post independence era also brought problems for Ambarsarias (people inhabiting Amritsar). It was a fight between the Indian administration and Sikh militant groups. Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale demanded a separate nationhood for Sikhs. In June 1984, a heavily armed Bhindranwale marched towards Golden Temple. The army thinking that they were inside
resorted to firing on the Akal Takht. Bhindranwale got killed along with many of his followers. The Temple was again rehabilitated to its former glory.
About Golden Temple offers you holiday packages, leisure tour packages, business tour packages and pilgrimage tour packages at best available prices. Travel to Amritsar with About Golden Temple and have a memorable experience of staying in best hotels in Amritsar along with a visit to nearby religious places including Golden Temple. You must visit historical landmarks like Jallianwala Bagh and Ram Bagh etc.
About Golden Temple enhances your knowledge regarding History of Amritsar and offers online trip booking for Amritsar Punjab, India.
Amritsar Cuisine
Amritsar-a traditional vibrant city –is known for warmth & hospitality. Amritsaris are born hosts, and are famous for having a palate for eating. This is perhaps because the Amritsari mind- set was shaped by frequent ravages of war where the dawn of the next day was not sure.
The city is famous for its culinary delicacies like multi-layered prathas, bhatura channa, tandoori kulchas, Puris, jam, marmalades, sharbat, rabri & lassi. Other delicacies include satpuras, samosas, fried fish, seekh kabab, mutton tikka, barbecued chicken and spicy pickles.
The celebrated papad and vadian from Amritsar have become the subject of many a rhymes and jingles, Amritsaris have a sweet tooth for pinnis, balushahis and gur ka halwa. The city has many places for traditional cuisines and modern foods. Most of the eating joints of the traditional cuisines and modern foods. Most of the eating joints of the traditional cuisine are within the walled city.
How to Reach
Amritsar is located in Punjab. Countless tourists visit this small district either on Pilgrimage or on a leisure tour.
Amritsar is connected to all major cities of India by a fine network of railways, roadways and airways.
By Air: The airport at Amritsar named Raja Sani International Airport offers excellent services. The airport is well connected by other parts of the country by regular flights. Now Jet Airways, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Air India also offer flights to Amritsar from Delhi, Birmingham and London.
By Rail: Amritsar is directly connected to Amritsar via rail route. It takes about 8 to 10 hours to reach Amritsar by train.
By Road: Grand Trunk Karnal Road connects Delhi to Amritsar. Regular buses are available from I.S.B.T. Delhi to Amritsar. You can choose from local, semi deluxe, deluxe and super deluxe buses offered by bus station.
Shopping at Amritsar
Shopping in Amritsar is a memorable experience. The market places the lanes, the bazaars, the squares, the plazas-hum with activity. The main shopping areas are the Hall Bazar, Katra Jaimal Singh and Lawrence Road. The city offers traditional souvenirs along with modern brandwear at all locations. The main attraction however is the woolens, carpets and blankets, besides juttis and embroidered stuff. The bazaars of Amritsar offer a colourful range of traditional and modern wares from carpets, durries, kites, fireworks, bangles, shawls to cut-glass and woolen textiles. At Guru bazaar, near the Golden Temple, each lane sells a different commodity.
