"Frontier town" Amritsar by oisha

Amritsar Travel Guide: 260 reviews and 783 photos

Amritsar street - Amritsar
Amritsar street
The city

I was lucky enough to have one of my aunties-in-law living here which allowed frequent visits during the 1990s. She lived on the campus of Guru Nanak Dev University and it was always a pleasure to stay in that quiet and leafy part of town.

The thing I like best about Amritsar is the feeling that time is standing still. Since Partition in 1947 it seems noone has renovated their homes or businesses for fear of losing all in a war that never happens. This makes for a wonderful atmosphere of a bygone era in decay.

Golden Temple
Tiles inside the temple complex - Amritsar

Tiles inside the temple complex

Of course the highlight for any visitor is the Golden Temple. A holy place for the Sikhs, this was the battleground between Indira Gandhi's government and the Khalistan movement in 1984. A conflict that ultimately lead to the death of the Prime Minister.

This picture was taken inside the temple complex, by the side of the pool of amrit (holy water). The tiles you see have been cracked by the weight of army tanks driving over them. This action broke the hearts of even very moderate Sikhs and decades later the pain has not yet healed.

Khalsa College
Khalsa College - Amritsar

Khalsa College

Khalsa College was opened in 1893 as a centre of learning for the Sikhs. It is now part of Guru Nanak Dev University.

  • Last visit to Amritsar: Jan 2001
  • Intro Updated Oct 18, 2008
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Reviews (3)

Narrow streets near Golden Temple - Amritsar Narrow streets near Golden Temple Things to Do (3)

Amritsar was the place in India I least expected to get my bum pinched, but, well, it happened right here folks - within... more travel advice

Excursion to Taran Taaran - Amritsar Excursion to Taran Taaran Things to Do (3)

Taran Taaran is another place of pilgrimage for the Sikhs. 22 kms from Amritsar, the gurudwara was built near the site... more travel advice

Visit the Golden Temple - Amritsar Visit the Golden Temple Things to Do (3)

Anybody may enter the Golden Temple so long as they respect the custom of covering the head and removing the shoes. You... more travel advice

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Comments (1)

  • Reply
    Durfun's Profile Photo
    Jun 24, 2006 at 6:28 AM

    Wow, great a/cs of shopping in Delhi, info on saris, and the 'surprising' tip re separate queues for women! I never knew abt that!! U r married to a Sikh, right? Loved to read abt your daughter's early travels.. Darshan

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