Amritsar - Home to the Golden Temple, Punjab, India

Amritsar, home to the Golden Temple is one of thesportsmen, servicemen, administrators, professionals, fill
most ancient and fascinating cities of India. It is now aup India´s compilations of Who´s Who. On a part of
gateway to North India with Amritsar Flights fromits land a new University called Guru Nanak Dev
Birmingham and London on Jet Airways Flights,University was established. Soon it has become
Turkmenistan Flights and Air India.distinguished for starting modern curricula and has
It is an important seat of Sikh history and culture. Beingetched its name on the sports map of India.
the gateway for travellers coming to India on theTarn Taran : 24 kilometres south, is Tarn-Taran-a
overland route from central Asia it soon became thetown founded by Sri Guru Arjan Dev in 1590. The
centre of various commercial activities. There areGurdwara got constructed by the Guru stands on the
various historical and religious sites - see Amritsar Cityside of a large tank. Fairs are held here on every
Map. The most famous of them all in the Golden´Amavas´ dark night of the month, birth
Temple which was founded by the fourth Guru ofanniversaries of the Gurus, Baisakhi and Diwali.
Sikhs, Guru Ramdas and completed by his successorGoindwal : A few kilometers away from Tarn Taran is
Guru Arjan Dev.the town of Goindwal, where Guru Amar Das
Jallian Wala Bagh-established a new centre for preaching Sikhism. A
Amritsar Massacre: This place noted for its most´Baoli´, well paved with 84 steps was constructed
notorious massacre under British rule. It is 400 metershere. The devout believe that by reciting Japji Sahib,
north of the Golden Temple. The British General Dyerthe divine ´Word´ revealed to Guru Nanak Dev Ji at
was the Lieutenant Governor of the province in 1919.each step after taking a bath in the Baoli provides
He banned all meetings and demonstrations led by´Moksh´, liberation from 84,000 cycles of life of this
Indians against the economical set back by World Warworld.
I. On 13 April 1919, pilgrims poured into Amritsar toKhadur Sahib : Khadur Sahib is 32 kms. south-east of
celebrate the Baisakhi festival, a holiday in the Sikhthe city and close to Goindwal. During the life of the
calendar. In the afternoon thousands of peoplesecond Sikh Prophet, Guru Angad Dev, it was the
gathered at Jallian Wala Bagh to celebrate thecentre of Sikhism.
Baisakhi. This ground surrounded by high walls on allRam Tirath : 16 Kilometres west on Choganwan road
sides has only a narrow alley for access. Generalis Ram Tirath, commemorating Maharishi Balmik Ji´s
Dyer personally led the troops to the sight and orderedheritage.
his men to open fire without any warning. It resulted inA big fair now recognised nationally and lasting for four
the death of 379 and injured more than 1200. India wasdays is held here since times immemorial on every
outraged by Dyer´s massacre. Gandhiji, called for aKartika Puran-mashi (full moon night in November).
nation wide strike and started the Non-cooperationHarike Wetland : The lake formed at the point of
Movement, which became an important mile stone inconfluence of rivers Beas and Sutlej at Harika ford,
the struggle for India´s Independence. Today thissituated mid way between Amritsar and Ferozepur
ground has been changed to a park and it has awas declared a national wildlife sanctuary in 1982. It is a
pleasant garden. There is a narrow path between thewelcome winter home to about 350 odd species of
houses which leads to the lawn of the park. At thebirds from far flung lands of China, Siberia, Afghanistan
entrance there is a memorial plaque which recountsand Pakistan.
the history. There is a well on the north side in whichBaba Bakala : Situated about 45 kilometers east on
many people who tried to escape from the bulletsthe Batala road. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadurji, revealed
were drowned, and remnants of walls have beenhimself to Makhan Shah Labana, a Sikh devotee here.
preserved to show the bullet holes. At the east end ofIt has a magnificent Gurdwara where people gather in
the garden there is a large memorial built in memory ofthousands on every amavas (moonless night) and an
those who died here.annual fair is held on Raksha Bandhan day (night of full
Ram Baghmoon in August) when about one hundred thousand
This beautiful garden is named as a tribute to Gurupeople visit the place.
Ram Das, the founder of the city. It is situated in theDera Baba Jaimal Singh : About 54 kilometres east is
new part of town and has a museum in the summerDera Baba Jaimal Singh, the Radhaswami,
palace built by the Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singhself-sufficient colony near Beas. It is presided over by
(1780-1839) the Lion of Punjab. The museum containsa living Master.
weapons dating back to Mughal times and someDurgiana Temple
portraits of the ruling houses of the Punjab and aDurgiana Temple : Situated outside the Lohgarh Gate it
replica of the diamond ´Kohinoor´. Tois built after the design of the Golden Temple and
commemorate the memory of his valour Ram Baghattracts sages and scholars in Hindu scriptures from all
has a lively statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh saddled onover India.
a horse. It is closed on Wednesdays.Wagha Border : The international border between India
Summer place of Maharaja Ranjit Singh : Is situated inand Pakistan. The pomp and pageantry of the Beating
the middle of a beautiful garden called Ram bagh. ThisRetreat and the Change of Guard within handshaking
garden is laid out on the pattern of Shalimar Bagh atdistance of the Indian and Pakistani forces makes for
Lahore. Only its architecturally unique ´darshania most charming spectacle.
deorhi´ has remained intact. A museum after theThere are a number of cotton, woollen and art silk
name of the Maharaja is set up here displaying oiltextile factories besides other industries dealing with
paintings, miniatures, coins, abd weapons relating to theelectric goods, sewing machines, auto parts, carpets.
Sikh period.The milk processing plant at Verka about 6 kms from
Other Tourist Attractionsthe center is the second biggest project of its kind in
Mosque at Fatehabad : Situated at a distance of 40the country. Amritsar is India´s leading exporter of
kms, the walls of this mosque are decorated withgoods to the Middle-East, leading distribution centre of
beautiful floral motifs.dry fruits, tea and condiments. It is also a shopper´s
Khalsa College & Guru Nanak Dev University : Khalsaparadise and a gourmet´s delight. Amritsar is the
College was founded in 1892 and built on grand scaleworld´s leading centre of Punjabi publications.
in typical Sikh architecture, its distinguished alumni;