|
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Ranjit Singh's time Amritsar had superceded Lahore as the pre-eminent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.
|
| |
| 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. |
| |
| 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. |
| |
| 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. |
| |
| 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. |
| |
| 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. |
| |
| 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. There are a number
of cotton, woollen and art silk textile factories besides other industries
dealing with electric goods, sewing machines, auto parts, carpets
in Amritsar. The milk processing plant at Verka about 6 kms. from
Amritsar is the second biggest project of its kind in the country.
Amritsar is India's leading exporter of goods to the Middle-East,
leading distribution centre of dry fruits, tea and condiments. Amritsar
is a shopper's paradise and a gourmet's delight. It is world's leading
centre of Punjabi publications. |
| |
| 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. |
| |
| 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. |
| |
| 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. |
| |
| Ram
Tirath : 16
Kilometres west of Amritsar on Choganwan road is Ram Tirath, commemorating
Maharishi Balmik Ji's heritage. A big fair
now recognised nationally and lasting for four days is held here since
times immemorial on every Kartika Puran-mashi (full moon night in
November). |
| |
| Harike
Wetland :
The 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. |
| |
| 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. |
| |
| 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. |
| |
| |
| |
| |
