We use cookies to improve your website experience and provide more personalized services to you, both on this website and through other media. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy. Please read our Cookie Policy for more information on how we use cookies and how you can disable them.
The holy city of Amritsar is a beautiful travel destination that has a lot to offer to intrepid travellers. From the holy environs of the Golden Temple to patriotism-invoking Wagah Border ceremony, Amritsar has everything in between; and more. It is a city where history is alive and is a part of everyday life. Amritsar reveres its culture and traditions but doesn’t dwell in the past.
The southern part of the city is its soul and contains all the shrines and monuments. The north is where all the action is, with its modern malls and upscale neighbourhoods. Your Amritsar tour should be a sum total of both these parts for a balanced perspective of the city. But wherever you go in Amritsar, you’ll find yourself at the receiving end of the legendary Punjabi hospitality.
Amritsar tourism is simply an extension of its hospitality. But it also adds history, culture and religion to the mix to offer an exciting blend of experiences to its visitors. The culture trail of Amritsar overlaps its historical one at many places. Amritsar tourism will guide you on your journey of exploration and discoveries that will reveal the city’s soul, one destination at a time.
Amritsar is located in the Majha region of Punjab, near its western border. It is merely 25 km away from Pakistan and is the gateway to the famous Wagah Border. The Wagah border crossing features prominently in Amritsar tourism. Most of the city is flat and its terrain can be divided into three categories: The Upland Plain, Bluff along the Beas and Flood Plain of Sutlej. The city itself sits in a natural saucer-speed basin, at around 755 feet above the sea level.
Amritsar is flanked by the Rives Beas to the east and by River Ravi to the West. Since Punjab Plains are a part of the Indo-Gangetic system, Amritsar gets fertile alluvial deposits brought by both these rivers.
Amritsar experiences a semi-arid climate which makes for extreme climatic conditions. Summers are boiling hot and winters are freezing cold. It has three seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. May and June are the hottest months of the year while December and January tip the scales at the other end.
The annual temperature averages between 3.9 to 40.1 °C. July receives the most rainfall. Winter is the best time to visit Amritsar. Though it is cold, the days are warm enough for an unhindered Amritsar tour.
Amritsar is the cultural and religious hub of Punjab. Throughout its history it has made significant contributions to Punjab’s literary and cultural heritages. Being home to Akal Takht, Sikhism’s ultimate seat of religious authority, a trip to Amritsar is no less than a pilgrimage for Sikhs from all over the world.
Food and dance are probably the two mainstays of Punjabi culture, and it is no different in Amritsar. Bhangra and Gidda are two of the dance forms of Punjab and they are performed at almost every festival and special occasion. Festivals like Holi, Baisakhi, Lohri and Guru Purab are celebrated with much enthusiasm all over the city. These festivals are the best times for your Amritsar tour as they offer you a chance to be a part of the festivities. While Baisakhi commemorates the foundation anniversary of the Khalsa Panth, Lohri is Punjab’s harvest festival.
Punjabis are known the world over for their boisterous nature and legendary hospitality. It is amply evident in the langar at Golden Temple where close to 1,00,000 people are fed with hot, fresh food every day. Naturally, such a lively culture has influenced Amritsar tourism to make it an exuberant experience for the visitors.
Language Spoken
Hindi
Currency used:
Indian Rupee
Tourism in Amritsar is a kaleidoscope of vibrant experiences that shift colours with every turn. Starting from the many Gurudwaras, your sightseeing tour will take you all over the city. While some roads lead back into the time, others take you to more contemporary delights. Visit the Jallianwala Bagh to say a prayer for the innocent souls who lost their lives here.
On the other hand, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum will delight you with the king’s personal artefacts that give you a peek into his personality. The Punjab State War Heroes Memorial and Museum is a treasure trove of war memorabilia from the 1965 and 1971 wars. It also pays homage to fallen heroes of the Indian Army.
From there, head to the Wagah border for its iconic Beating Retreat Ceremony. The sight of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) jawans facing off with Pakistani Rangers will give you goose bumps for sure. People travel from all over the country to witness this spectacle.
The Gobindgarh Fort and Bathinda Fort are the city’s sentinels. Standing proud for centuries, they’re now Amritsar’s best cultural ambassadors.
One more experience that you should not miss out on is a meal at Golden Temple’s langar. Join thousands of devotees as you partake in the communal bond of brotherhood. If you get a chance, volunteer your Sewa in the kitchen. Here’s your chance to give something back.
The city of Amritsar hosts a thriving street food scene that is replete with classics from the local cuisine. Spicy chhole bhature, creamy butter chicken and succulent tandoori will beckon you from all corners. Give in to the temptation and top off a satisfying meal with a decadent phirni.
Now that you know all there’s to know about Amritsar tourism, get yourself an all-inclusive Amritsar Holiday package from SOTC. Start planning for your exciting holiday today!
