Are you planning to visit Amritsar to visit the Golden Temple and wondering what are the other attractions in the city? Well, you are in for a great surprise. There is so much more to discover in the temple area.
You can reach Amritsar,
By Air: The Amritsar Airport, officially known as Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, serves the city.
By Train: The Amritsar Junction railway station (station code: ASR) is a railway junction located in Amritsar district in the Indian state of Punjab and serves Amritsar.
By Road: You can fly to Amritsar airport, and from there you can take the road.
Top 10 places to visit in Amritsar
Golden Temple
The Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is one of India’s most spiritual locations and the most important Sikhism site. The spectacular golden architecture of the temple, which is located in the centre of Amritsar, as well as the daily Langar (shared kitchen), draws a lot of tourists and worshippers every day. Over 100,000 individuals from all walks of life receive free food at the temple, which is accessible to followers of all religions. A small portion of the enormous complex known to Sikhs as Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib contains the main Temple, which houses the shrine.
The Amrit Sarovar, a tank that surrounds the sparkling centre shrine, serves as the area of spiritual emphasis. There are more shrines and memorials dotted around the perimeter of the complex. The Sikh Museum, which depicts the tyranny the Sikhs faced at the hands of the Mughals, the British, and the Indian Government in 1984, is housed within the main entry clock tower. Two minarets in the Islamic architectural style encircle the Ramgarhia Bunga, a defensive stronghold that is situated at the southeast end of the tank. Unquestionably one of the most stunning tourist destinations in the world is the Golden Temple.
Timings: Open throughout the day
Source: Wikipedia
Jallianwala Bagh
The probability that you are unaware of this location is quite slim if you have read about history and are familiar with India’s battle for independence. The British Army’s atrocity, carried out under General Dyer’s direction, is what makes Jallianwala Bagh famous. In the year 1919, on April 13th, this horrible event took place.
The Punjabi New Year’s Day fell on this day. Nearly eleven hundred people were injured, and approximately three hundred and seventy-nine people were murdered in this tragedy. In the Jallianwala Bagh, a memorial was erected in 1951 in honour of those who died there. Many visitors come to this location to pay respects to the victims of the atrocity.
Timings: 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Entry fee: Free
Wagah Border
It is among the busiest tourist destinations close to the Golden Temple. In Amritsar, it is the second most popular tourist attraction after the Golden Temple. The sole Indian road crossing between India and Pakistan is at the Wagah border. Tourists travel from all across India to observe the beating retreat ceremony and the changing of the guard. People from both nations congregate in seating areas built on each side of the border to see the display of bravery and patriotism. The main objective of the Wagah Border Ceremony is to formally seal the border at night and remove the flags of both countries.
Timing: 4:15 PM during winters and 4:45 PM during summers
Entry fee: Free
Source: Wikipedia
Durgiana Temple
The Durgiana Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. This temple also houses the idols of Mata Shitla, Lord Hanuman, and Lakshmi Narain. This temple resembles the Golden Temple in every way. In the year 1908, this temple’s construction was completed.
Harsai Mal Kapoor was responsible for building this temple. This temple is also known as Sitla Mandir, Durga Tirath, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, and more names. According to folklore, Lord Hanuman was chained by Luv and Kush, the sons of Lord Rama, behind a tree in the temple’s courtyard after seizing the steed of the Ashwamedha yajna.
Timings: Open throughout the day
Entry fee: Free
Source: Pinterest
Akal Takht
Akal Takht, a Sikh shrine in Amritsar, was constructed on the site of the Golden Temple. Guru Hargobind Sahib constructed this temple. This temple was constructed with the intention of resolving concerns in a fair and timely manner. Because it is said to be the greatest seat of Khalsa authority, this temple is well-known. This temple’s name translates to “the throne of the timeless person.”
It serves as a symbol of the Sikh people’s political independence. The Sikhs have five takhts, of which this is one. Akal Bunga was the initial name of the temple. The Jathedar resides here as well, at this shrine. The Sikhs’ spokesman is known as a Jathedar.
Timing: 2:30 AM to 10 PM
Entry fee: Free
Source: Pinterest
Tarn Taran
The greatest destination to visit near the Golden Temple is Tarn Taran, which is located in the same-named district and is a Sikh pilgrimage site. The fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, was responsible for building this Gurudwara. Saro Pond is the name of the pond that is in the middle of the Gurudwara grounds. According to legend, the Saro pond at the centre of each Sikh shrine is the largest. One of the most well-known Sikh pilgrimages in the nation is Tarn Taran.
Every month on Amavasya, or the day of the New Moon, Sikh worshippers go to this location. Between 1980 and 1990, there was an upsurge of Sikhs here.
Timing: 6 AM to 10 PM
Entry fee: Free
Source: Pinterest
Harike Wetland
Hari Ke Pattan is another name for Harike Wetland. According to some, Hari Ke Pattan is northern India’s principal wetland. It is a man-made wetland. A riverine and lacustrine wetland is Hari Ke Pattan. Knowing that this marsh spans three different Punjabi districts gives you an idea of its size. Hari ke pattan is distributed across the three Punjabi districts of Amritsar, Ferozepur, and Kapurthala. Numerous animal species, including snakes, fish, turtles, and amphibians, call this marsh home. Due to the Satluj River diversion that was built, this wetland was created. This distraction was developed in 1953.
Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM
Entry fee: Free
Source: Wikipedia
Bathinda Fort
It is a historic fort that is one of the best sites to visit close to the Golden Temple and is located in the Bhatinda district. This fort is well-known for its connection to Sultana Razia’s guardianship. Quila Mubarak is the common name for this fort, which is located in the Punjabi province of Malwa. The government has designated the fort as a site of national significance, and the Archaeological Survey of India is responsible for maintaining it. Many emperors have ruled over this fort. After being overthrown, Razia Sultan was imprisoned here. One of this nation’s oldest forts in Bathinda. This fort stands thirty metres tall. In order to build the fort, Raja Dab.
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM (Monday closed)
Entry fee: Free
Source: Pinterest
Jama Masjid Khairuddin
This lovely mosque’s construction began in the year 1876. The building was built by Muhammad Khairuddin. Jama Masjid Khairuddin was a crucial location in India’s battle for independence. From this mosque, Shah Attaullah Bukhari, also known as Tootie-e-Hindu, summoned people to begin the war against the English invaders. This location draws a lot of tourists for reasons other than only its historical and religious significance. This mosque’s architecture is stunning, making it a sight to behold and one of the best spots to visit close to the Golden Temple. White marble is used exclusively in the mosque’s construction. There are little drawings in these white stones that are coloured green.
Timings: 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Entry fee: Free
Source: Pinterest
Pul Kanjari
One of the most stunning tourist destinations near the Golden Temple is Pul Kanjari, also known as Pul Moran, which is located in the Dhanoe Kalan villages, 34 kilometres from Amritsar. Maharaja Ranjit Singh used to halt in Dhanoe Kalan while he was travelling to far-off places to relax. The historic site Pul Kanjari has a fascinating history and is now recognised as such. It is stated that in order to rescue a dancer’s shoes who was in route to the king’s palace, the royal attendants constructed a bridge across a pool in Pul Kanjari.
Timings: 10 AM to 5.30 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Source: Pinterest
Real estate in Amritsar
Amritsar real estate is well-developed and has great residential growth prospects. The units here are spacious and are available across configurations from 1 BHK, 2 BHK, 3 BHK, 4 BHK , 5 BHK , independent villa etc.
According to Housing.com data, for buying a property
| Location | Average price/sqft | Price range/sqft |
| New Amritsar Colony | Rs 4,259 | Rs 2,000 to Rs 8,000 |
According to Housing.com data, for renting a property
| Location | Average price/sqft | Price range/sqft |
| New Amritsar Colony | Rs 18,304 | Rs 12,000 – Rs 55,000 |
FAQs
What is the Golden Temple famous for, and where is it located?
For Sikhism devotees, the Golden Temple in Amritsar is a significant place of worship. However, this majestic gurdwara is also well-known among tourists and is a key landmark in Amritsar.
What restaurants in the Golden Temple area are the best?
The well-known restaurants close to the Golden Temple are Bharawan Da Dhaba, Bhai Kulwant Singh Kulchian Wale, GurdasRam Jalebi Wale, Katra Ahluwalia, Kesar Da Dhaba, Ahuja Milk Bhandar, etc.
Is it possible to travel to both the Wagah border and the Golden Temple in one day?
Yes, as both locations are close to one another, it is possible to visit the Wagha border and The Golden Temple in a single day. But if you do that, none of the sites will be enjoyable for you. There will be a lot of effort. Therefore, we caution against visiting both locations in a single day.
Can I go to the temple during Durga Puja, Diwali, or other holidays?
You can go to the temple during the festivals, of course. Although there may be some traffic at that time, it is worth it because the temple's decorations and atmosphere as a whole are quite amazing.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
