Table of Contents
Food
Bharawan Da Dhaba, a pure vegetarian Dhaba is one specific place you just can’t miss when you go to Amritsar. It would be similar to missing Taj Mahal while you come to Agra. This place would fail to upset any foodie with the delicious menu of traditional punjabi spicy food. Other famous delicacies are Makki ki roti with sarson da saag and stuffed kulchas (potatoes or paneer) with chhole. YUM YUM.
Also, do not miss out on the Guru ka langar at The Golden Temple. This food warmed up in love and devotion is yet another thing you certainly can’t let go.
Ahuja Lassi has it self popularised among the whole town for the best original lassi’s that it offers to the people. A very large glass too could be less for it’s appetising taste.
Other places you must visit are Novelty Sweets for Gajar ka Halva, Hall Bazar for Fruit cream and Kulfi,Sharma Sweet shop for jalebi.
History:-
Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, also known as The Martyrs Well, can give anybody chills. With treasured innocence, faith, humanity and purity, the place has a major connection with the freedom fight, 1919. It involved the killing of hundreds of unarmed, vulnerable and helpless Indians by a senior British military officer on 13 April in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them asthe birth anniversary of the Khalsa.
Ram Bagh resembles the pattern of Shalimar Bagh at Lahore, truly beautiful, this place is also identified as the summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh whose statue has also been created. It has paintings of different kinds, exhibiting the Sikh period, and has an internal cooling system. This palace is a tribute to the created of the city, Guru Ram Das.The Summer Palace come museum has weapons dating back to Mughal times and portraits of governing houses of Punjab. It also has a duplicate of diamond Kohinoor on display.
Spiritual Halt
Anyone coming to Amritsar would never fail to seek blessing at Harmandir Sahib, The Golden Temple. The glory and miraculous allure of the Gurudwara have touched the heart of many, making them want to visit the Gurudwara again and again. The delicious halva prasad and the magnanimous langar is served to thousands of people everyday. People come here to take a bath in the pure water, washing off their sins and seeking benediction for a cheerful life ahead.
The Golden Temple Amritsar India has a solitary Sikh architectural construction. It is built at a lower level than the surrounding area. The four entrances of this canonised shrine from all four directions are symbolic of the fact that people belonging to every walk of life are equally welcome.
Despite The Golden Temple, other places of Spiritual significance are Hanuman Mandir in Hallbazar, Kali Mata Mandir on Guru Bazar Road, Iskon temple in Chowk Moni Bazar among many others.
Shopping
Amritsar is known for its handicrafts and handlooms. It is noted for elegantcraftwork like phulkaris, that is traditional embroidery, lacquered carpentry, jewelry etc.
Go for the classic Punjabi Jutis without which you certainly must not return home.
Hand-woven cloaks, bedspreads, woolen clothing and various kinds of garments certainly including Patiala salwar are hit with those who want to take ethnic allure back their homes.
Papads, pickles, dry fruits and waddian are quite famous and are available in Amritsar aplenty.
Where to shop?
When shopping in Amritsar, one must go for shopping to the local bazars for the best ethnic and local stuff. The best bazars in Amritsar are-
- Hall Bazar
The bazar would give the most colourful experience to fond ethnic shopping lovers.
Speciality – Chinese lamps and Pakistani juttis
Nearby stop for refreshing – Mahajan Refreshment house for pure milk kulfi and falooda.
- Guru Bazar
Near Golden Temple, with almost 2500 shops
Speciality – Silver and gold ornaments,silver diyas, earthen lamps, idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi
- Papad Warian Bazar
Speciality – the Widest range of fresh homemade papas and warians.
- Mishri Bazar
Speciality – Best dry fruits, some, even imported from Afghanistan.
- Kapda Bazar
As the name suggests, it is aimed at the selling of apparels. The bazar is located near Town Hall.
Speciality – earrings, bindis, bracelets, Patiala suits, bangles.
- Katra Jaimal Singh Market
One of the most reasonably priced markets, it is located near Hall Bazar.
Speciality – pashminas, saris, beaded dresses, wedding suits, designer shirts, ties, woodwork jewellery and handicraft items.
Ceremony and Parade
In Pakistan, the border crossing is called as Wagah Border while in India it is known to be Atari Border after the Indian village Atari. It is particularly known its intricate ceremony that happens at the border gate, every day, two hours before sunset.
Conducted by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers (PR), the flag ceremony involves a huge crowd all over the area to see across the border, the hate love reaction nation, Pakistan. The ceremony happens to be a grand event, starting off with Patriotic songs. In memory of the brave soldiers, the crowd cheers on by calling out ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Vande Mataram’, responded with cries of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ from the other side of the border. Soldiers march from both the sides, after which the heavy gates are flung open on both sides. While they shake off hands with fierce looks on their faces, they lower the respective flags on both sides. After folding of the flags, the end is marked by blowing of the trumpets and closing of the gates. It gives great pride to view the grand ceremony, as an Indian.
