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A Walk Through Amritsar: Things to See and Do

Shaurya Sharma

Last updated: May 4, 2020

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Draped in rich history, culture and traditions, Amritsar is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Sikhs across the world and welcomes tourists with open arms. You’re embraced by the bustling streets, the aroma of food cooking in the open-air kitchens and strains of devotional music the moment you step into the lively by-lanes.

Here is all you need to know about Amritsar!

The City: Then and Now

amritsar independence day — The Sikh Warriors

Founded by the fourth guru of Sikh faith in 1579, the city derived its name after Guru Ramdas built a pool on a land he purchased from the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Believed to provide riddance from sins with a dip in the holy water, the Amrit Sarovar surrounds the revered Golden Temple in the midst of it. The city has been associated with various mythical and historical incidents and finds mention in scriptures such as the Ramayana.
Leading the educational and industrial sectors in the past, the situation, however, was quite different during India’s Freedom Struggle. Though the city managed to keep intact its legacy and traditional values, it was scarred by an inhuman attack which was sparked with the arrest and deportation of two popular local leaders, Saif-ud-Din Kichlew, an advocate, and Dr. Satyapal, a medical practitioner. This led to tension, which culminated into incidents of violence and repression of political activity. On April 13, 1919, the Sikh New Year (Baisakhi), a large meeting was called for at Jallianwala Bagh. Soon after the meeting, General Dyer ordered his troops to block the only exit and fired 1650 rounds of ammunitions for 10 minutes continuously. Hundreds of innocent men, women and children were killed and over a thousand were wounded. This tragic event left a deep mark on the Indians and mobilized mass participation in India’s fight for independence.

jallianwala bagh — Bullet marks, visible on preserved walls, at present-day Jallianwala Bagh | Photo Credit: Rakshakdua/wikimedia Commons

A trip to this enchanting city is bound to leave you in absolute awe. You’ll never know until you go!

Things to Do While You’re Here

Do

Golden Temple:

The Harmandir Sahib, famous in the world as the Golden Temple, is the holiest shrine of the Sikh faith. Boasting of a stunning architecture, the dome on the upper section is gilded with about 100 kilograms of pure gold, which gives the temple its name.
Cherish your opportunity to offer a prayer in the central hall and revive in the vibrance of spirituality that emanates from every corner of the magnificent structure. Make sure you cover your head at all times within the temple premises. Don’t miss to feast on the delicious langar at the common kitchen with hundreds of people sitting in long rows. Take a dip in the holy water here and volunteer your help to the staff members for a fulfilling experience.

Jallianwala Bagh:

This revived public garden that runs for a stretch of about 7 acres is the site of 1919 Amritsar Massacre. Bullet marks on the garden walls are a testimony to the barbarity of an act that took 379 lives. The garden also encloses a well where many people including children jumped to save themselves from being shot. While here, observe a minute’s silence for all the departed souls and families that were left scarred by the tragic events.

Wagah Border:

A short scenic drive away from Amritsar on the Grand Trunk Road, Wagah Border marks the Radcliffe Line, which is the demarcation between India and Pakistan and was drawn during the partition of India in 1947. The flag-lowering ceremony that takes place every evening where soldiers from both sides try to outdo one another as the crowds cheer on, this is accompanied with an interactive patriotic session. Playing of the National Anthem is the best part of the day and is enough to fill anyone with great pride and is an experience not to be missed.

Eat

Though Langar ka Prasad from the Golden Temple tops the list for foodies, you can also try the stuffed Kulchas with Chhole, Chur-Chur-Naan, Chhole Bhature and Lassi at Bharawan Da Dhaba. They haven’t been awarded ‘Punjab’s Number 1 Dhaba’ without a reason! You can’t afford to miss the Keema Kulcha with dollops of butter at the Friend’s Dhaba and the tastiest Fish Tikkas at the Beera Chicken House.
Craving for more? Head to the Hall Bazaar to try the most amazing fruit cream and kulfa for dessert!

Buy

Hall Bazaar doesn’t just pacify your taste buds but also allows you to shop for beautiful Phulkari embroidery work, jewellery and handicrafts which are a speciality of Amritsar. While you are at Hall Bazaar, visit the neighbouring Katra Jaimal Singh Bazaar to satisfy the shopaholic in you. The Old City Bazaar of Amritsar is worth a visit if you’re looking for an excellent place to shop traditional Indian wear, bangles, the famous Punjabi juttis and other trinkets.
If you’re searching for an ideal place to shop for jewellery and other adornments, look no further than the Guru Bazaar in Katra Ahluwalia that offers a great variety of options to choose from. Conclude you shopping spree with some Pashmina shawls at the Lahori Gate Market which happens to be the perfect place for a delicious dinner too!