Even though it’s a fascinating city, Amritsar rarely gets put on the must-visit list of cities in India. It’s a highly diverse place, with incredible aesthetics, food, and culture. There’s just so much to see and do there, and after you’ve settled in one of the hotels in Amritsar, exploring this wonderful place comes next. You’ll definitely want to come back again at least once.
Feel the magic of the Golden Temple
The most sacred Sikh temple in the world known as the Golden Temple is a beautiful place that welcomes everybody. Its chief principle is brotherhood, and its four marvelous doors symbolize that everyone is accepted no matter their race, religion, class, or caste. The entire structure is built upon a tank that’s filled with holy water about which is said to possess healing powers. If you wanted to take a close look at the entire temple from every side, there’s a pathway that encircles the Temple and allows for some fantastic sights, where you’ll be surrounded by the mirror-like surface of the water. Also, the Golden Temple is home to the world’s largest community kitchen. It serves over 100,000 people on a daily basis, and it’s open all the time, while serving vegetarian food. Its goal is to make sure that nobody leaves the temple hungry.
Visit the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum
This museum is dedicated to the Maharaja Ranjit Singh, or the “Lion of Punjab” as he’s also known, and is the man responsible for the founding of the Sikh Empire. Inside there’s a fantastic display of arms and armor of ages past, as well as plenty of artifacts, paintings, and object that were owned by the Maharaja. If the local culture intrigues you and you want to learn more about it, then this is definitely the place to visit.
Experience the Wagan border parade ceremony
A really interesting cultural phenomenon, this parade takes place on the border between India and Pakistan. Wagan is the only border crossing that’s available to take if you want to travel between these two countries, and the parade takes place every single day. It’s a tradition that started in 1959, to commemorate the friendship and brotherhood between the two countries, and is a stunningly choreographed dance routine that’s lasts roughly for an hour.
Shop to your heart’s content
Whatever it is that you’re looking for to buy, it’s almost certain that you’ll find it in one of the many Bazaars in Amritsar, no matter how niche it may be. You can find various items that range from clothes, to rugs, books, jewelry, and all sorts of food. Also keep an eye out for the wonderful Phulkari, which is a delicate embroidery that’s only made in Punjab.
Explore the surrounding countryside
The city is wonderful, and has practically unlimited potential, but the city’s countryside is just as marvelous. There are many unique little villages very near the city, where you’ll see the local culture in full display, and you’re very likely to see farms, mud houses, and roadside markets, alongside stunning scenery.
It doesn’t matter if you’re staying in one of the hotels in Amritsar, or somewhere else down the city. You’ll be constantly surrounded by unparalleled beauty that you’ll wish to explore non-stop.
