Amritsar Sightseeing: A Well-rounded Tourist Destination in North India

Being the spiritual core of the Indian State of Punjab, Amritsar is known for the striking Golden Temple and the Jallianwala Bagh. Along with these important tourist destinations in North India, there are several other sightseeing places in Amritsar that instantly catch a traveller’s fancy. These sightseeing places in Amritsar include forts, temples, and museums.

When I was exploring these places in Amritsar, I noticed that the bazaars are where the major hustle and bustle is. I wanted to witness the essence of Punjab like a true local that is why I went down narrow alleys to explore these bazaars on my sightseeing trip. To that end, I ate my meals in the traditional dhabas while exploring the city. I really came to love the Amritsari kulcha and chhole here and could not help but having them again and again during the days I spent in the city.

If you wish to travel to Amritsar, you can keep these important local sightseeing places of Amritsar (that I visited) in mind to capture the true spirit of Punjab: -

1. Golden Temple

The first stop on my Amritsar sightseeing trip had to be the famous Golden Temple. The iconic temple is a tiny portion of a massive gurdwara complex. Also called Harmandir Sahib, the temple looks beautiful in the day and even more spectacular at night. The radiance of the temple can be seen in the reflection of the Amrit Sarovar, a tank from where the city of Amritsar got its name.

The 4^th Sikh guru Ram Das excavated the Amrit Sarovar back in the year 1577. Known to possess healing powers, pilgrims from all over the world come to bathe in its waters. When I reached the temple, I could not help but gaze at the temple that had a unique magnetic aura attached to it. It was worth it despite the long queue as I witnessed an immediate sense of calmness around me. I sat by the tank after visiting the temple for some time to take in the serenity that was oozing from every corner of the Gurdwara complex. I also stayed in the complex a bit longer to eat the much-praised about temple food ‘langar’ that is prepared in one of the world’s largest kitchens.

Being one of the most famous places to visit in Amritsar, the Golden Temple should be on the number one spot on your list of local sightseeing places to visit in Amritsar.

2. Jallianwala Bagh

Forming an important part of my list of Amritsar sightseeing places, the Jallianwala Bagh was the next place that I visited on my Amritsar sightseeing tour. The park remembers and commemorates the 1500 unarmed Indian protestors who were killed and wounded on the orders of a British officer in the year 1919 in this very park.

The bullet holes in the walls are still visible till date. There’s also a well in which hundreds of protestors jumped in a desperate attempt to shield themselves from the unending bullets. I also saw an exhibition that narrates the stories of the people who were struck by this tragedy and explored a Martyrs’ Gallery that showcased the portraits of different independent heroes. This place forms a part of Amritsar local sightseeing for many tourists, especially history buffs who wish to know more about the history of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.

3. Wagah Border

 The next place that I headed to on my Amritsar sightseeing trip was the Wagah Border. Situated 28 kilometres from Amritsar and 22 kilometres from Lahore, Wagah Border is located at the margin of the borders of Pakistan and India. I attended the Beating Retreat Ceremony that is held here on an everyday basis before the sun sets. The ceremony involves the lowering of flags of both the countries and the bolting of the international gates. The Pakistan Rangers and the Indian Border Security Force have been conducting the flag ceremony since 1959. A matter of pride and enthusiasm, the ceremony is a spectacle in itself.

I applaud the showmanship and the military camaraderie showcased here at the ceremony. I also sang the Indian national anthem with countless other Indians during the build-up to the ceremony. Every traveller must include a visit to this fascinating tourist destination in North India as a part of their Amritsar sightseeing tour to fully explore every facet of this Indian city.

4. Partition Museum

The partition museum is one of the sightseeing places in Amritsar and a one-of-its-kind museum that is located inside a gorgeously restored town hall. A visit to it formed the next part of my Amritsar sightseeing tour. Being the sole museum in the world that is dedicated to partition, the Partition Museum offers a lens into the events that led to Partition and the events that followed it. So, visiting this museum is a must if you wish to know more about Partition.

 5. Mata Temple

 The Mata Temple commemorates a female saint by the name Lal Devi. When I entered the main hall of the temple, I was instantly hooked. The main hall led me to a number of narrow stairways and I noticed a number of carvings and deity statues as I progressed forward. Another thing that I noted was that the appearance of this temple was similar to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple at Katra. Whenever you go on an Amritsar local sightseeing trip, do visit this place for a unique sightseeing experience.

I also visited some of the sightseeing places near Amritsar after concluding my Amritsar trip. I went to Jalandhar, a quaint city in Punjab that has many hidden tourist attractions. From visiting the intriguing Pushpa Gujral Science City to checking out the Wonderland Theme Park, I had a fun one-day getaway in Jalandhar.

Do note that I went on a sightseeing trip to Amritsar by car. That said, I highly recommend a visit to these popular sightseeing places in Amritsar by going for one of the Amritsar sightseeing packages as it is an even more exciting way to tour the city. These packages come with pre-planned trip itineraries of sightseeing places in Amritsar and let you enjoy your trip without any hassles related to trip planning.

As a tourist destination in North India, Amritsar has heartening warmth about it. Whether it is telling poignant tales of history or surrounding yourself with serenity, Amritsar offers a mix of experiences to the traveller in you.