» Amritsar

Amritsar - the holy city of Sikhs, has grown from a sacred village pond into a spiritual temporal centre of Sikh culture. The city gets its name from the pool-Amritsar (Pool of Nectar), which was constructed by the fourth religious preceptor of the Sikh faith. It also lies on the Asain Highway.

It is also the city where Jaliyan-wala-bagh, the garden where scores of innocent Indian men, women, children were massacred by the British. Events of such magnitude catalysed the struggle for Indian independence.

Amritsar is the soul of Punjab. Situated very near to the international border of Pakistan. Amritsar has an Airport and it is connected by 2 pairs of Shatabdi train to New Delhi. Other cities are connected by super fast or express trains and luxury and deluxe buses go to Delhi and Chandigarh.

The Khatris and Aroras of Punjab had trading outlets from Chitagong (now in Bangla Desh) right upto Iran in Persia. Amritsar town was built around the Golden Temple and when these Khatris and Aroras converted to Sikhism Amritsar became the East's biggest trading and eventually a manufacturing centre.

Today it is India's important distribution centre of dry-fruits, tea (next only to Calcutta), of condiments and is a leading exporter of goods to the Middle East. Woollen tweeds, suitings, blankets, shawls in traditional weaves, ivory (now plastic) inlay furniture, swords of all designs, oils, scents, jutties (traditional embroidered shoes), cut-glass crockery, selective musical instruments, carpets are manufactured here almost in every bazaar.

It is one of the leading publication centres, especially in Punjabi language, in the whole world, is India's manufacturing centre of Ayurvedic medicines and renowned for treatment of eye diseases. Amritsar is the home of traditional Punjabi cuisine, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian where each eating-house has a specialty, which can not be matched. Its pickles, murabbas (Indian jams) and papads and warian (recipes can not be translated into English) and sweetmeats are exported to far off places, right into Punjabi Diaspora abroad.

» Major Attractions of Amritsar

Golden Temple : The Golden Temple is located in the holy city of the Sikhs, Amritsar, once the dense forest home of Guru Nanak. Famous for its full golden dome, Golden temple is one of the most sacred pilgrim spots for Sikhs.

The Temple is built on a 67 ft square of marble and is a two storeyed structure. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the upper half of the building built with approximately 400 kg of gold-leaf. The Golden Temple is surrounded by a number of other famous temples like the Durgiana Temple.

» How to Get there

Air : The Rajasansi airport at Golden Temple is well linked by flights from all over India. Recently, it was elevated to an international airport.

Rail : There are direct links from Delhi to Golden Temple by train. It is an 8-10-hour journey.

Road : Buses also ply regularly between the two cities.