Wagah Border Crossing
Wagah Border separates India and Pakistan and is also named the Berlin Wall of Asia. Every evening from 1959, hundreds of people on both sides of the border carrying their national flags visit the “lowering of the flags” ceremony. It creates a fun and nationalism love atmosphere in the middle of continuous tension between the two countries. Enjoy the impromptu dance and popular Bollywood songs at Wagah Border.
Golden Temple
Golden Temple is among the must-seeing holy shrine of the Sikh community in Amritsar. This architectural marvel enjoys a rectangular platform enclosed by the sacred Amrit Sarvoar waters in the Gurudwara complex. Golden Temple is designed with marble work and golden facades gleaming when the sun shines. Take your shoes off before entering the holy and shining temple. And, one more point: whether male or female, heads should be covered.
Hall Bazaar
Hall Bazaar, situated off Hall Road, is the bustling shopping center in Amritsar, providing a diversified amount of items from electronics, handicrafts, jewelry, books to home décor and clothing. You’ll find high-quality woolen items, hand-woven carpets, and blankets at economical prices. Stroll the Hall Bazaar, savor snack bars along the streets, and deluge into the crowd to take an authentic flavor of Amritsar. Bargain and catching a bit are usual while shop-hopping!
Jallianwala Bagh
April 13, 1919, records a dark day and a sad reminder in India’s history and when British troops killed many innocent Indians at a peaceful gathering in Bagh. Benjamin Polk, the American architect, designed this memorial place where you can still see the bullet holes in the walls.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum initially served as a summer palace for Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the first ruler of the Sikh empire. The palace is surrounded by the Ram Bagh’s stunning landscapes and houses personal belongings of the Maharajah, old coins, original paintings, manuscripts, and armor. Take a stroll around the museum to know the palace history and the court lifestyle through the paintings.
Central Sikh Museum
The Central Sikh Museum is mainly devoted to the role Sikh played in India’s history and especially its independence. Founded in 1958, it houses portraits of Sikh gurus, prominent leaders, saints, and warriors. You’ll also find an incredible library and a nice collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, and arms.
Ram Tirath
Ram Tirath, located around 11 km west of Amritsar, is a sacred site and an archaic pilgrimage center enriched with folklore culture. It’s said that Luv and Kush, the twin sons of Ram and Sita, were born here. According to another belief, the Hindu god Hanuman, a devotee of Rama, dug Ram Tirath.
Akal Takht
Akal Takht, meaning “Throne of the Immortal,” is the main altar for the Sikh political assembly. Guru Hargobind Sahib founded the structure on June 15, 1606. It’s rated the first of the five seats (Takhts) of Sikh religious authority. It was initially a simple, 3.5 m high platform where Guru Hargobind Ji used to sit and passed on the last word on all disputes.
Gobindgarh Fort
The army of Gujjar Singh Bhangi of Sikh Misls originally constructed Gobindgarh Fort. Later, Maharaja Ranjit Singh rebuilt the fort; then, the Darbar Hall, Hawa Mahal, and the Phansi Ghar were added during British rule. The fort hosts two gates, two entrances, a rampart, and four bastions that benefited from stunning brick and lime architecture in a robust square pattern.
Harike Wetlands
Harike wetland lies at the Sutlej and the Beas rivers’ junction, where many exotic birds inhabit. It gives you an exceptional experience of watching migratory birds coming from Siberia, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Just record this unforgettable bird watching experience in your mind as photography of the Harike Barrage is forbidden. And one more point: don’t litter, and don’t disturb the birds!