A temple made of gold, food made with “desi ghee,” and the heady aroma of fish “tikka” all combined point to only one place in India. Yes, you guessed it right: Amritsar. The word “Amritsar” means the “Lake of Immortality” or “Pool of Nectar” which refers to the holy water tank around Harmandir Sahib, built by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das. Devotees still believe that the water has spiritual and healing properties. A paradise for spirituality, history buffs and foodies, the places to visit in Amritsar offer every traveller something to look forward to.

Most Popular Places to visit in Amritsar

This city is the capital of Sikhism. It is not only a place of religious significance but also a symbol of peace and humility. It welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds.

The spiritual ambience of the temple is magnified by the constant sound of “kirtans” and recitations from Guru Granth Sahib, a holy scripture of Sikhism. If you seek a soul-stirring experience, spiritual tour packages to Amritsar offer a seamless journey through its sacred sites.

The city also boasts of several gurudwaras that commemorate the history and legacy of Sikhism. Amritsar tour packages of  SOTC bring forth a unique combination of fun and a journey of inner reflection.

This city is a silent witness to Punjab's contribution to history, starting from the reign of the third Sikh Guru, Amar Das, in the 16th century. His successor, Guru Ram Das, founded this city around a small pool named “Amritsar” blessed by his predecessor, which is still believed to have healing properties. Over decades this pool attracted millions of devotees and after the son of Guru Amar Das built “Gurudwara Harmandir Sahib”  this area developed as a temple complex which is now famously known as the “Golden Temple”.

In the 19th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh took control of the city and turned it into a major trading centre. The city flourished under him as he invested heavily in its defence by building fortresses like Ramgarhia Bunga and patronising art, culture and music, making it a must-visit on your trip with Amritsar tour packages. 

13th April 1919 is still marked as the darkest day in Indian independence history when British troops opened fire on the peaceful gathering in Jallianwala Bagh public garden, on the order of General Dyer. It resulted in the deaths of hundreds of innocent Indians including women and children who gathered for peaceful protests. It became a defining moment in India’s struggle for freedom intensifying the protest against the British Raj. Get to know about all these and more when you sign up for the Amritsar tour packages of SOTC.

Post-independence partition of India and Pakistan resulted in widespread violence and mass migration where thousands fled their homes, and millions lost their lives. It remained a sensitive place due to its proximity to Pakistan but still attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists due to its vibrant culture and religious background.  

Believer in equality and humility, the Golden Temple offers “Langar” or free meals to all irrespective of faith, religion or caste. Any Amritsar tour packages is incomplete without spending a day in “Seva” in the temple. The sacred Amrit Sarovar is believed to be a spiritual cleanser. The vibrancy of the city is heightened during the festivals of Baisakhi, which marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year and the birth of “Khalsa”. “Lohri” celebrated on 13th January, marks the end of winter and harvesting season. The birthdays of GuruNanak and Guru Gobind Singh are also celebrated with a lot of grandeur and prayer. 

The legends and stories which the locals still believe about the origin of Amrit Sarovar are truly enchanting, and a must while roaming around with Amritsar tour packages. It is said that Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru had a dream about this divine lake and ordered an excavation. The water that filled in was hence believed to be spiritually healing and considered blessed. Another legend states that the foundation of the Golden Temple was laid by much revered Sufi saint Mian Mir which speaks of Sikhism’s inclusive spirit.

The bravery saga of a Sikh warrior Baba Deep Singh can still be heard, who despite being beheaded in a battle to protect the temple continued fighting till he reached the sacred grounds.  

Many such stories of wars, battles, bravery and sacrifices can be heard once you reach the historical grounds in Amritsar. A well-informed tour guide included in your Amritsar tour packages will be a cherry on the cake if you love history and legends. 

Important Sites for A Must Visit 

Some of the Amritsar tourist attractions on your trip with Amritsar tour packages include the following well-known sites : 

1. The Golden Temple: 

Being one of the top places to see in Amritsar, it attracts devotees and tourists alike all year round with our Amritsar tour packages. Besides its stunning golden architecture, the community kitchen (Guru Ka Langar) of the temple serves free meals (“seva”) to a lakh of people from all walks of life. You can enjoy the most simple yet delectable “desi ghee roti” and “daal” which tastes like a million dollars yet makes you feel at home with its humble ingredients. 

The vast complex and its serene ambience will transport you to a spiritual world unknown. The main glistening shrine called Darbar Sahib is a small part of the huge complex. The Ramgarhia Bunga at the southeast end of the tank is a protective fortress surrounded by Islamic-styled minarets. This temple is a mind-blowing combination of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, making it a must visit with our Amritsar tour packages. It has an elegant lower level made with flower and animal motifs engraved in marble. The second level is intricately carved with gold panels and is topped with a 750 kg gold dome. This covers the holy inner sanctum where you can hear priests and musicians chanting Guru Granth Sahib (The holy book of Sikhism) continuously turning the atmosphere into an intensely religious one.

The central temple or the Hari Mandir is connected to the pathway by a marble bridge called Guru’s bridge which symbolises the journey of the soul after death.

At dawn every day, there is an opening ritual called “Prakash” when Guru Granth Sahib is taken out in a palanquin to the inner sanctum amongst “kirtans”.The closing ritual or “Sukhsan” happens at night when The Holy Book is carried back to “Akal Takht” for rest again amongst devotional songs. 

A few important tips to follow while visiting the Golden Temple at Amritsar are, to dress appropriately by covering your body fully and head with a scarf as a mark of respect, to remove shoes and socks to clean your feet, and to not carry any tobacco or alcohol inside the premises when travelling with Amritsar tour packages. 

2. Wagah Border Ceremony: 

You can head out to Wagah Border, 28 from the city to catch a glimpse of real soldiers from India and Pakistan performing in the Beating Retreat Ceremony. Every evening, before sunset Indian and Pakistani military meet at this border and engage in a 30-minute display of camaraderie and showmanship. This border marks the boundaries of the two countries where the gates are closed and flags are lowered during the ceremony with thousands in the crowd watching over and singing the National Anthem. Your Amritsar trip with our Amritsar tour packages is incomplete without this experience.

3. Jallianwala Bagh Wall and Well: 

An important part of your Amritsar city tour is this public garden famous for this gruesome incident that happened in 1919 under British rule. General Dyer ordered an open fire on a peaceful gathering celebrating Baisakhi on April 13th and mercilessly killed unarmed and helpless Indians including women and children. There are two specific structures in the garden which speak of the scars of the British-inflicted wounds this place saw, making it a historical must visit on your trip with Amritsar tour packages. On the wall at the end of the park, you can see the marks of 36 bullets and a well at the entrance of the park where many jumped to dodge the bullets but hundreds of dead bodies were later recovered from it. This garden is a constant reminder of the many atrocities that the British committed while ruling in India.

4. Partition Museum :

You should add this place to your Amritsar tour packages if you want a piece of that place before, during and after British India. Memoirs, arts, artefacts, and antiques in this museum tell the stories of Amritsar’s contribution to the battle of independence. The exhibits also include photographs, newspaper clippings and personal items donated by people who had witnessed partition and the survivors from the independence era. 

There is a separate area for interactive exhibits where the museum uses modern technology allowing visitors to have an immersive experience to understand the impact of partition, making it a unique addition to your Amritsar tour packages.

If you want to book an exhaustive Amritsar city tour to experience the small temples gurudwaras and Ranjit Singh museum, you can do so but extend your trip by a day or two to do so comfortably. 

Best Time to Visit Amritsar

Since Amritsar is a landlocked city, the best time to visit Amritsar  is between November to March. It becomes searing hot post-April when the temperature soars to 40 degrees and in January the temperature plummets and hovers around 5 degrees. Hence best to book your Amritsar tour packages between September to December and between February to March as the weather is pleasant and perfectly suitable for sightseeing. July and August are months when monsoon peaks and the weather is humid and wet making it uncomfortable for sightseeing. 

Winter starts in November and lasts till March. If you do decide to go on the Amritsar tour in November, you will get a chance to experience a colourful Diwali, Ram Tirth Fair after Diwali which enthralls tourists every year with cultural and entertainment programs. Basant Panchami and Lohri are the two festivals that are celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm by the locals in January. One of the main attractions during Basant Panchami is the fair at Chheharta Sahib Gurudwara. Lohri is another festival that is celebrated with a lot of zest. The day marks the beginning of long nights and short days. You will come across bonfires and people singing and dancing around them to pay respect to “Dulha Batti”.Another important festival is Baisakhi, which is celebrated in April to welcome spring with traditional music, dance, and food. 

Local Culture And Food

The first thing that comes to mind while thinking about Punjab is its colourfulness, men and women dancing wearing salwar kameez and turbans and Tehmat (balloon-like pyjamas) and the amazing phulkari work even on the “jootis” arranged beautifully on display in the small local shops. In your Amritsar tour packages do not forget to add time for shopping in local shops for these lovely gift items and souvenirs. 

“Bhangra” is the most popular of the Punjabi folk dances worldwide. It was originally performed by the Punjabi farmers to welcome the harvest season. “Giddha”, “Sammi”, “Luddhi” and “Dhamal” are some of the other forms of dance which are popular in the region. You can enjoy these dances and Punjabi music if you arrange your tour to Amritsar during the Baisakhi festival. 

Punjabis are foodies at heart, be it any festival, praying, or socialising food is the centre of all their activities. Start your Amritsar food trip from the Guru Ka Langar in the Golden Temple where thousands of devotees are offered simple meals of dal, roti, sabzi and kheer. On your way out push your way through the crowd to get hold of some of the pure ghee-laden Kara Prasad which is simply out of this world.  Then make a stop at Kulcha Land at Ranjit Avenue which serves mouthwatering kulchas with a variety of stuffing. The Kulchas are crispy and served with white butter or ghee and melt in your mouth. If you are wondering what this place has for non-vegetarians, you will be surprised by the variety. Try out “Mutton Tikka” and Shammi Kabab in Surjit Food Plaza. The Makkhan Fish from Beera Chicken House are the tastiest fish tikkas available. If you want to go adventurous with food, try out the unique “Kharode Ka Shorba” or  Lamb Trotter Soup in Pal Da Dhaba at the Hathi Gate. It will blow your mind when you combine it with “Keema Paratha”. After so many heavy meals, you will be yearning for something sweet. You cannot imagine being in Amritsar and not having a tall glass of thick lassi made of pure milk. In Hall Bazar, you will find the incomparable fruit cream and “Kulfa”, the Amritsari version of Kulfi topped with thick noodles or “falooda”.  

How to Reach Amritsar? 

This city is well-connected by Air, road and rail networks with the major cities. Be sure to check Amritsar tour packages to know whether the mode of transport is included in it or needs to be separately booked. 

The best way to reach Amritsar depends on your location and preference. If you seek convenience and speed, flying to Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (about 11 km from the city center) is the ideal choice. It caters to both domestic and international flights from top airlines like Qatar, Turkish, Air Canada, and Sri Lankan Airlines.

Amritsar has easy accessibility via train network from all major cities in India. The various junctions are Amritsar Junction (ASR), Verka Junction (VKA), Mananwala (MOW), and Tangra (TRA). Some of the best express and superfast trains commute through these junctions. Taxis and rickshaws are available outside the station which can then take you to the main city. 

If you love cars and enjoy long drives, choose NH3, NH54 or the Grand Trunk Road which are the most prominent and arterial roads to reach the city. For a bus ride, Amritsar Inter State Bus Terminal is the primary bus stoppage in the city. 

For intra-city commutes, auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are widely available at an affordable cost. ATMs are available but it is advisable to carry some cash as cards might not be acceptable in small local shops. The main languages spoken by the localities are Punjabi and Hindi. If you desire, you can opt for an English-speaking guide with your Amritsar tour packages.

Although there is no entry fee in Wagah Border, it is preferred that you arrive early to get a better seat to enjoy the show. Also, remember to dress modestly covering your hands and legs.

In any Gurudwara or golden temple you visit you must cover yourself fully including your head to show respect. 

Conclusion

Are you looking for a short trip filled with spirituality, food, peace of mind and fun? This is the city that is going to surprise you. Marvel at the architecture of the Golden Temple, take a dip in history while you leisurely pass through Jallianwala Bagh, enjoy the sumptuous vegetarian “ Bhartas”  and non-vegetarian kebabs with a cool glass of thick lassi, enjoy the warmth of pure ghee or white butter in every “Kulcha” you have, and get bamboozled by the colours of phulkari work display in local shops. This short and delicious trip will take a place in your trip history without a doubt. Amritsar tour packages from SOTC will be your perfect companion on the journey.