TRAVELAGENTS IN AMRITSAR

About Amritsar

Amritsar is one of the most ancient and fascinating cities of India . It is an important seat of Sikh history and culture. Being the gateway for travellers coming to India on the overland route from central Asia it soon became the centre of various commercial activities.

Amritsar  Literally meaning the Pool of Nectar,  The name of the city derives from the name of the pool around the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) and means "holy pool of nectar" (Amrit: nectar; Sar: (sarovar sarovar) lake).Amritsar was founded by the Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das. From a sacred village pond into a spiritual temporal centre of Sikh culture, Amritsar is the soul of Punjab. This ancient city has seen and witnessed many a turbulances over the past 400 years. It has the Akal Takht, or the seat of Almighty in the pious Golden temple. Be it the demolition of the Akal Takht by the Afghan rulers or the donations by the Mughal Kings to restore it; or be it the massacre of the Jallianwala bagh or the riots during partition.

Today Amritsar is a city thriving with business and tourism.  Amritsar has various historical and religious sites which includes the following :-

The Golden Temple

Har Mandir Saheb, popularly known, as the Golden temple is the holiest shrine for the Sikhs, so called because the entire upper half was inlaid with copper covered over by gold plate. The architecture of the Golden Temple, is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles.

The principle of universal participation was extended to the planning and execution of the project. All Sikhs in all congregations had a role in building this noble edifice to their faith. Their participation took two forms: voluntary labor (sewa) at the site, and a donation (daswandh) of ten percent of their income to support the construction. In 1589 by Guru Arjun Dev - Nanak V (1563-1606) was laid down the foundation of the temple. Mir Mohammed Muayyinul Islam, popularly known as Mian Mir was requested to lay the foundation stone. The great Sikh secular leader, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, donated 100 kg of gold to the temple and thus gold was applied to the copper sheets on the roof and the exterior of the building. The construction of the temple was completed in late sixteenth century.

The Sikh ruler, Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1803, rebuilt it. It is a two stores marble structure, with an imposing dome of pure gold. The architecture of the Temple is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles. The golden dome is meant to represent an inverted lotus flower and the interior of the temple is decorated with semi precious stones, frescoes and glasswork. The gnarled old Jubi Tree in the northwest corner of the compound is believed to possess special powers. The Golden Temple's first high priest, Baba Buddhaya, planted it. Guru-ka-Langar or the communal canteen is towards the eastern entrance of the temple complex providing free food to all visitors, regardless of colour, creed, or caste.

Central Sikh Museum

It is at the entrance on the right side of the main side of the main entrance of the Golden Temple.. Devoted to large gallery of paintings, mostly showing the gruesome ways countless Sikhs have been martyred, and various knick-knacks from the gurus.

Jallianwala Bagh

Martyrs' Memorial built in the shape of eternal flame of liberty is situated on the outskirts of Golden Temple . Here, about 1500 to 2000 persons who were attending a peaceful meeting during the freedom movement fell under the bullets of the British General Dyer, on April 13, 1919 . The British Queen Elizabeth II and her husband laid a wreath at the Memorial on 14 Oct.' 1997. A memorial to the martyrdom of the innocents and the bullet marks on the wall tell this tragic incident. A must vist place to see the brutality of the British genral Dwyer

Durgiana Temple

Situated outside the Lohgarh Gate it is built after the design of the Golden Temple and attracts sages and scholars in Hindu scriptures from all over India . This temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. Easily accessible from the Golden Temple, it is an ancient temple built during the 16th century. It is situated on an island in a small Lake, thus giving it a commanding atmosphere and stupendous view.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama

Is situated in the middle of a beautiful garden called Ram bagh in Amritsar City . This garden is laid out on the pattern of Shalimar Bagh at Lahore. Only its architecturally unique 'darshani deorhi' has remained intact. A panaroma after the name of the Maharaja is set up here displaying oil paintings, miniatures, coins, weapons and Mss relating to the Sikh period.

Tower of Baba Atal Rai

Located at a distance of few kilometers from the main town, Baba Atal Rai Tower is believed to be the very spot where Guru Har Gobind died. Named after the son of Guru Har Gobind, this nine-storied building is an important landmark of the place. Climbing on to the top gives you a panoramic view of the entire area. The first floor of the tower houses some of the miniatures related to Guru Nanak''s life and his preaching.

Tarn Taran

24 kilometres south of Amritsar is Tarn-Taran-a town founded by Sri Guru Arjan Dev in 1590. The Gurudwara got constructed by the Guru stands on the side of a large tank. Fairs are held here on every 'Amavas' dark night of the month, birth anniversaries of the Gurus, Baisakhi and Diwali.

Wagha Border

Wagha ( a village in Pakistan)  about 28 kms from Amritsar is the border crossing between India and Pakistan, the final frontier. The borders are famous for their marching retreat at sunset everyday when a large numbers of tourists come to witness this spectacular site from both the sides. The changing of guards, lowering of flags, everything is done in perfect symphony and harmony from both the sides. One can see the side of Pakistan, once a part of India and the people from the other land to witness the ceremony. As the soldiers from both the countries march in perfect drill one can also feel the national fervour building up at bot the ends.

Khadur Sahib

Khadur Sahib is 32 kms. south-east of Amritsar city and close to Goindwal. During the life of the second Sikh Prophet, Guru Angad Dev, it was the centre of Sikhism.

Goindwal

A few kilometers away from Tarn Taran is the town of Goindwal , where Guru Amar Das established a new centre for preaching Sikhism. A 'Baoli', well paved with 84 steps was constructed here. The devout believe that by reciting Japji Sahib, the divine 'Word' revealed to Guru Nanak Dev Ji at each step after taking a bath in the Baoli provides 'Moksh', liberation from 84,000 cycles of life of this world.

Harike Lake and Temple

he lake formed at the point of confluence of rivers Beas and Sutlej at Harika ford, situated mid way between Amritsar and Ferozepur was declared a national wildlife sanctuary in 1982. It is a welcome winter home to about 350 odd species of birds from far flung lands of China , Siberia , Afghanistan and Pakistan

Dera Baba Jaimal Singh

About 54 kilometres east of Amritsar is Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, the Radhaswami, self-sufficient colony near Beas . It is presided over by a living Master. Master distribute the teaches to the audience, normally on sunday and big fair is normally on every sudnay that is what we call bhandra.

Baba Bakala

Situated about 45 kilometers east of Amritsar on the Batala road. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadurji, revealed himself to Makhan Shah Labana, a Sikh devotee here. It has a magnificent Gurudwara where people gather in thousands on every amavas (moonless night) and an annual fair is held on Raksha Bandhan day (night of full moon in August) when about one lakh people visit the place.

Khalsa College & Guru Nanak Dev University

Khalsa College , Amritsar was founded in 1892 and built on grand scale in typical Sikh architecture, its distinguished alumni; sportsmen, servicemen, administrators, professionals, fill up India 's compilations of Who's Who. On a part of its land a new University called Guru Nanak Dev University was established at Amritsar . Soon it has become distinguished for starting modern curricula and has etched its name on the sports map of India

Mosque at Fatehabad

Situated at a distance of 40 kms, the walls of this mosque are decorated with beautiful floral motifs

Ram Tirath

16 Kilometres west on Choganwan road is Ram Tirath, commemorating Maharishi Balmik Ji´s heritage.

Mata Mandir

This Hindu temple situated at Rani ka Bagh , is similar to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple at Katra(Jammu). The temple draws a large number of devotees from far and near.

Fort Gobind Garh

In the south-west of the city, has been taken over by the Indian army and is now off limits. It was built in 1805-09 by Ranjit Singh, who was also responsible for constructing the city walls