How long in amritsar

CNN — When it comes to India travel, the state of Punjab, which borders Pakistan, doesn't make it to the top of that many itineraries.

That's good news for intrepid travelers. From temples so gold they'll make your eyes water, to food you'll be longing for days after it hits your lips, Punjab is India at its colorful, lively best. Harmandir Sahib Golden Temple. There's always a long queue to enter the Golden Temple's inner sanctum, which contains the holiest of all Sikh texts, the "Guru Granth Sahib.

Reflections of its gold-encrusted dome shimmer in the clear water of the Amrit Sarovar Pool of Nectar , which greets those who enter from the north gate, the most impressive of all four entries.

To take it all in, it's best to simply walk around the marble pathway surrounding the pool. Its waters are said to have healing powers. Devotional music, bathing pilgrims, golden carps and meditating devotees add to the atmosphere. Worth keeping in mind: There's a long line to visit the inner sanctum Darbar Sahib , where the holy book of the Sikhs, "Guru Granth Sahib," is kept.

Visits are best scheduled for the late afternoon and early evening; every night the temple complex is illuminated. Simply stunning. You can end the day at the temple's langar canteen. The scale of its free meal, put on daily by volunteers, is impressive, with 50, meals served each day, according to temple officials. Punjabi eats. Bourdain enjoys vegetarian cuisine with 'intense colors, flavors and spices' at a Kesar Da Dhaba, a roadside food stall.

The city of Amritsar has a rich culinary heritage. The community run kitchen serves an average of visitors each day! Best time to visit: The Golden Temple is open 24 hours. Early morning and late night is the best period to avoid queues. Reasonable time to be spent: minutes Tips: Remember to carry a scarf as you need to keep your head covered at the site.

The Wagah Border is a must on the list of places to see in Amritsar. Patriotism is at its ceremonial best here. Every evening before sunset, the soldiers from India and Pakistan lower the flags at this international border with a set of perfectly coordinated and well- orchestrated manoeuvres.

Be prepared to brave the rambunctious crowds. Best time to visit: The ceremony starts at p. Reasonable time to be spent: 60 minutes Tips: There is limited entry, so plan to be there at least an hour before. It has been almost a hundred year since General Dyer ordered his troops to incessantly fire machine guns at a congregation of peaceful protestors in a public garden. A memorial at the site serves at a stark reminder of the dark chapter in history.

Legend has it that she later gave birth to her twin sons, Luv and Kush, at this very place. Also known as Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, the main attraction of the ashram is a stunning gold-plated statue of Valmiki weighing kilograms. Adorned with four minarets and three domes, it is a fine example of the Islamic style of architecture.

Among other things, it offers an amazing variety of dress materials and designer dresses with intricate Phulkari work.

Now that you have filled your shopping bags with souvenirs, how about ending your 2-day trip to Amritsar with a lavish dinner at Lawrence Road? Whether you want to dig into a rich platter of Amritsari tikkas and kulchas or try some desi desserts or just settle down for a cup of coffee and some snacks, you will find several options at Lawrence Road. By now, you must be pretty exhausted. Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Meenakshi Taheem. I am obsessed with old edifices, museums and different cultures. When not writing and editing stories, I love to explore forgotten ruins or indulge in gardening and cooking — the other things I'm passionate about. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Book A Hotel City. Expect elaborate costumes and some impressive high kicks. Our show begun with an energetic march and dance party from a hundred young patriotic Indian girls.

We got up out of our seats and joined them! Every day in the central square, guides will hassle you with trips to the show, charging around 1, rupees per vehicle. The show is free to watch. This memorial in the heart of Amritsar is dedicated to the hundreds of Indians who were brutally massacred at the hands of the British, all for holding a peaceful protest. My blood boils to think about this. He smiled and welcomed me to his country.

Our ancestors swept it under the rug on purpose but let me tell you, you need to know about this. Entrance is rupees for foreigners. As I mentioned earlier, the outer streets of Amritsar are busy, hectic and overwhelming. However, the central square near the Golden Temple feels modern and well-organised.

You can get some total bargains while shopping, especially with these gorgeous shoes which are famously from Punjab. There are also lots of stalls selling kulfi milky frozen yoghurt and lassis. The state of Punjab is known as a friendly and safe place, though I would recommend travelling with a reputable tour agency.

Your accommodation can likely arrange a village tour for you, otherwise you can visit any tourist agency in the city centre. I stayed at Jugaadus which was excellent but seems to have sadly closed since. No Amristar travel guide would be complete without the best foodie finds. Kesar De Dhaba — the most famous Punjab restaurant in Amritsar, hidden down a local alleyway. Order the palak paneer!