"Amritsar - Pool of Nectar & the Golden... " a Amritsar Travel Page by Willettsworld

Amritsar is located near the Indian/Pakistani border in Punjab. The city was built in the 16th century around a pool, (known as the Amrit Sarovar - Pool of Nectar from which the city is named from), and temple which today we know as the Golden Temple. The temple is the spiritual centre of the Sikh religion and came to worldwide attention in 1984 when it was attacked by the Indian Army as part of Operation Blue Star when the complex was badly damaged and hundred's of Sikh's were killed. This sparked the assassination of then Prime Minister, Indira Ghandi, who was shot by her two Sikh bodyguards.

The Golden Temple was one of my must-see sights in India as I had always loved the look of it when seeing it in pictures in Indian restaurants. Some people have said that it eclispes the Taj Mahal in terms of beauty and I think it's right up there with it. The temple itself is a shimmering sight set on a platform surrounded by water so its reflection shines on the surface with hardly a ripple to spoil it. It's really nice to sit in the shade by the side and take all of it in with the daily religious sights of the Sikh's praying and bathing. It's a good idea to visit it at different times of the day to see it in a different light each time.