The word Amritsar means the holy pool of nectar. 1573 Work began on digging the holy pool. 1601 Harmandir Sahib completed. 1604 Guru Granth Sahib installed. Alongside people representing 52 professions settled. In Maharaja Ranjit Singh's time Amritsar had superceded Lahore as the pre-eminent city of the Orient. 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 has various historical and religious sites. The most famous of them all in the Golden Temple which was founded by the fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ramdas and completed by his successor Guru Arjan Dev. Another revered shrine is the Durgiana Temple which is dedicated to goddess Durga. The museum at Ram Bagh houses weapons dating back to Moghul times and some portraits of the ruling houses of the Punjab. The Jallianwala Bagh at Amritsar reminds the visitor of one of the most heart-rending events in the history of India. Bullet marks and the well into which some people jumped to escape the onslaught can still be seen. Some other attractions are—the Fort Gobind Garh which was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Tarn Taran tank which is 25 kilometres south of Amritsar. The most interesting place to stay is the Golden Temple. Accommodation at the gurudwaras—Sri Guru Ram Das Niwas and Sri Guru Nanak Niwas—is easily accessible. Other good accommodation facilities and dining options are also available. Katra Jaimal Singh, near the telephone exchange in the old city, is a good shopping area. Amritsar being an important trade centre is very well connected. There is a daily Indian Airlines flight to Delhi and Srinagar. Direct rail links to Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, and Calcutta are also there. There are frequent buses plying to Dehra Dun, Shimla, Kulu, Dalhousie and Dharamsala.

Places to See ...

Golden Temple

During Maharaja Ranjit Singh's reign the lower half of the temple was decorated with marble while the entire upper half was inlaid with copper covered over by gold plate : hence its new name, the Golden Temple. Free kitchen and recitation of the divine word never cease here. Its four gates invite everyone from all directions.

Akal Takhat

Sixth Guru Sri Har Gobind had got it constructed as a seal of temperal authority symbolising the unity of spiritual and temporal life in 1609.

Tower of Baba Atal Rai

Built in the memory of Baba Atal Rai, son of Sri Har Gobind Ji, this octagonal nine-storeyed structure about 50 meters high has several beautiful frescos on its walls, relating to the life of Guru nanak Dev Ji.

Jallianwal 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.

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.

Mosque at Fatehabad

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

Summer place of Maharaja Ranjit Singh

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 museum after the name of the Maharaja is set up here displaying oil paintings, miniatures, coins, weapons and Mss relating to the Sikh period.