Area : About 5000 sq. km
Location : In the state of Punjab, situated to the north west part
of India. Amritsar shares an international boundary with Pakistan.
Population : About 1 million (City)
Languages:Punjabi, Hindi, English
Crops:Wheat, Rice, Cotton, Sugarcane
Major Attraction : Golden Temple
Airport : Raja Sansi, International Airport
Speciality : A spiritual and cultural centre of the Sikh Religion.
The Holy Pool of Nectar
"All places I have seen..................none can
compare to thee"
- Guru Arjan
Dev Ji
Amritsar, literally means the "holy pool of
nectar", is one of the most ancient and awe-inspiring cities of India.
Home to the Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple is an important
seat of Sikh history and culture. This spiritual and cultural centre of the
Sikh Religion has soon became the axis of various commercial activities.
Amritsar a holy city in the state of Punjab in India was founded by the
fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ramdas, with the digging of the pool and
establishment of the most famous the Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib. The
foundation was completed by his successor Guru Arjan Dev.
Amritsar
in Punjab is also the gateway for the travelers coming to India on the
overland route from central Asia. There are various historical and religious
sites near Amritsar City. The most famous of which is the Golden Temple or
Harmandir Sahib.
Arriving at Amritsar
It is advisable for you to travel from Delhi and Kolkata (Calcutta). One
can reach Amritsar by rail, road or air from Kolkata and Delhi. Apart from
these there is also other way to reach Amritsar from Mumbai. Amritsar is the
only city of India which has an open route connected with Pakistan by road
and by rail. Lahore is three hours journey from Amritsar by rail.
By Flight : One can reach at Amritsar Airport of Punjab,
through Indian Airliance - alliance Air.
By Trackways : From Delhi one can easily reach Amritsar .
There is regular train service available from Delhi Railway Station. From
Kolkata's - (Howrah Railway Station or Sealdah Railway Station) one can
reach directly to the Golden City of Amritsar. There is frequency train
service available from the above said two Railway Station. From Mumbai
(Bombay) - Central Railway Station one can reach the Golden City of Amritsar
easily.
By Roadways : From Delhi can get busses
of Delhi State Transport Corporation Amritsar. There are so many Private
Buses starting from many parts of the Delhi.
The Major Fascinations at Amritsar
Golden Temple : Founded by the 4th Sikh Guru Ramdas way
back in 1573. on digging the holy pool. 5th. Sikh Guru Arjan Dev established
a temple called ‘Haramandir’in 1601. In 1601 Harmandir Sahib was
completed and 3 years later, the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Book was
placed there. The water of the sorovar was purified by Muslim Saint Hazrat
Mian Mir at the invitation of Guru Arjan Dev. From then the name of the
sarovar becomes Amritsar. In the year 1830, Maharaja Ranjit Singh,
established the recent Golden Temple where ‘Haramandir’ was
situated. The cone of the temple was covered by 400 kilogram of gold by
Ranjit Singh. The silver door also has golden coverings. The inner wall was
decorated by flowers, animals made of gold, silver and ivory. The
architecture reveals the union of Hindu – Islamic architecture and
culture.
Jalianwalabagh : This is a memorial monument dedicated to
the Indian freedom fighters. The whole area is surrounded by massive high
walls, which has got a narrow way out. It reminds us of the 13th. April,
1919, when thousands of unarmed and innocent Indian assembled here to
protest here against the Rawlatt Act were killed in the sudden firing under
the leadership of British General Dyer. Two thousands people died in the
incident. The walls of Jalianwalabag are still standing bearing the wounds
of bullets.
Wagha Border : The international border between India and
Pakistan. The pomp and pageantry of the Beating Retreat and the Change of
Guard within handshaking distance of the Indian and Pakistani forces makes
for a most charming spectacle.
The Industries in the City
There are a numerous cotton, woollen and art silk textile factories besides
other industries indulged in electric goods, sewing machines, auto parts,
carpets. The milk processing plant at Verka about 6 kms from the city center
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 also a shopper´s paradise
and a gourmet´s delight.
