About of Amritsar
Amritsar is situated in Punjab state of India between 31°37'59.16" N 74°51'56.16" E latitudes. The city of Amritsar spreads on an area of 5075 km². Ideally placed in the northwest part of India, Amritsar is at a distance of 33 miles from Lahore and Pakistan. The district of Amritsar falls in Jallandhar division and has a trapezium shape.
Population: According to 2001 census, Amritsar has a population of about 3,074,207.
Geography
Topography
Amritsar lies amidst River Beas (to the east) separating Amritsar from Kapurthala and River Ravi (to the west). It is situated in the lower part of Upper Bari Doab. It is very absorbing that river Beas joins Satluj River at the confluence of Lahore (Pakistan), Firozpur, Amritsar and Kapurthala. As Punjab plain is a part of Indo-Gangetic system, Amritsar also has alluvial deposits brought by Beas and Ravi Rivers. The soil in Amritsar is a light reddish-yellow loam (colloquially called maira) that becomes somewhat stiffer at the doab, finally deteriorating into sandy and slightly uneven soil (colloquially called tibba).
History of Amritsar
History of Amritsar is really attractive. The city has been famous for puissant Sikhs and has legends attached to it. According to the legend, when the fourth Guru of the Sikhs Guru Ram Das heard about the healing powers of the pool, he ordered his son Guru Arjan Dev to build a temple at the site. In 1588, the foundations of a city were laid which later on became an emblem of Sikh culture and history. The city came to be known as Ramdaspur or Guru Ram Das di Nagri (city of Guru Ram Das).
The Temple compound was accomplished in 1601. Historians say that Mughal emperor Akbar also donated the land close to the temple after paying off the local Jat farmers. After the completion of the Temple, Guru Granth Sahib (Also called Adi Granth), holy book of Sikhs was installed in the Temple. The Temple became famous as Harmandir (Temple of God).
The traders including Khatris and Aroras were called by Guru Ji to settle in the vicinity of the Gurudwara. A new town grew up with the advent of all these businessmen. Golden Temple was plundered many times but by God's grace the Temple got much more offerings from its devotees that helped in its reconstruction.
Best Time to visit Amritsar
Amritsar in Punjab experiences extreme type of climate. The summers are too hot and winters are too cold. Best Time to visit Amritsar is between the months of October and March.
At the time of festivals numerous people visit Amritsar. Majority of festivals celebrated in Amritsar are religious in nature. Here is a list of some of the festivals in Amritsar:
Ram Tirath Fair is celebrated at Ram Tirath, situated at a distance of 12 kilometers to the west of Amritsar. The fair is celebrated about a fortnight after Diwali. Pilgrims visit the Temple to plunge in the sacred tank of the Temple in the early hours of the Puranmashi (full moon night). After the dip the pilgrims take a circumambulation of the tank along with incantations. Women light lamps of pure ghee (deshi ghee) or mustard oil (sarson ka tel) made from kneaded flour and put them in tank by placing them on leaf plates. It is believed that this ceremony absolves one's sins and is known as tulla toarna (meaning floating of tullas). Throughout the ceremony devotional songs and hymns are recited.
Diwali is celebrated with great pomp and show at the Golden Temple. It is celebrated even after three days of Diwali. It is believed that during the reign of Jahangir, after his release from Gwalior fort Guru Ram Das arrived Amritsar on Diwali. People greeted him by illuminating lamps.
Basant Panchami at Chheharta Sahib is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of the month of Magh or Maghi (end of January or starting of February). The celebrations commence early in the morning and end the next day afternoon. Whole night kirtan darbar (chanting of hymns, poems belonging to Sikh literature) is held. On the eve of Basant Panchami kites are flown and kite-flying competitions are held.
Baisakhi / Vaisakhi was a opportunity when all the Sikhs used to assemble at Amritsar and discuss their political and religious problems. Today this festival is celebrated with lot of excitement and zeal. Generally this is celebrated on 13th April every year.
Gurupurbs are celebrated throughout the world. These are celebrated on the occasion of the birthdays and martyrdoms of Gurus. In Amritsar, Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Sahib are celebrated with great religious fervor and devoutness.
How to Reach
Amritsar is situated in Punjab. Countless tourists visit this small district either on Pilgrimage or on a leisure tour. Amritsar is connected to all major cities of India by a fine network of railways, roadways and airways.
By Air: The airport at Amritsar named Raja Sani International Airport offers excellent services. The airport is well connected by other parts of the country by regular flights. Anymore Jet Airways, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Air India also offer flights to Amritsar from Delhi, Birmingham and London.
By Rail: Amritsar is directly connected to Amritsar via rail route. It takes about 8 to 10 hours to reach Amritsar by train.
By Road: Grand Trunk Karnal Road connects Delhi to Amritsar. Regular buses are available from I.S.B.T. Delhi to Amritsar. You can choose from local, semi deluxe, deluxe and super deluxe buses offered by bus station.
If you want to reach Amritsar from places other than Delhi, then you have to change your bus at a midway destination and then board again in the corresponding bus, train or airplane.
Shopping in Amritsar
For a memorable shopping experience visit Amritsar with About Golden Temple. There are lots of places to shop in this small district of Punjab. The market places buzz with activity and people flock in the markets right from 9.30 in morning till 09:00 in the evening.
The main shopping areas in Amritsar are Hall Bazar , Katra Jaimal Singh and Lawrence Road. The bazaars offer traditional dresses along with contemporary branded wear.
Amritsar is famous woolens, carpets and blankets, juttis and embroidered stuff. The clothes in fulkaari work are also seen hanging in the showcases of the shops.
About Golden Temple offers you holiday packages, leisure tour packages, business tour packages and pilgrimage tour packages at best available prices. Travel to Amritsar with About Golden Temple and have a memorable experience of staying in good hotels in Amritsar along with a visit to nearby religious places including Golden Temple. You must visit historical landmarks like Jallianwala Bagh and Ram Bagh etc.
About Golden Temple enhances your knowledge regarding Shopping in Amritsar and offers online trip booking for Amritsar Punjab, India.
Amritsar Highlights
Although Amritsar is a small town, yet there are several sites to be seen. Golden Temple and Durgiana Temple are two places that are popular with the visitors. Besides these places there are a number of Gurudwaras (link About Gurudwaras), Temples (link About Temples) and Samadhi in and around Amritsar. Here is a list of a few places that you can see:
Serai Amanat Khan is situated at a distance of 37 kilometers south west of Amritsar. It is famous for a beautifully carved out gate built in Mughal style. The Tomb of Amanat Khan is enclosed within four minarets and there is a mosque in proximity to the Tomb. The mosque is beautifies with Persian verses.
Jagdev Kalan is associated with Muslim poet Hasham Shah, the author of famous book Sassi-Punnu. This spot offers a point for geminating secular thinking.
Kotli Sultan Singh is situated at a distance of about 31 kilometers from Amritsar. It is the aboriginal place of Mohammad Rafi, the famous singer of the Bollywood.
Samadh of Guru Angad Dev Ji is situated at a distance of about 29 kilometers southeast from Amritsar. Maharaja Ranjit Singh built it in 1815 A.D. You can easily reach this place from Goindwal Sahib (Samadhi of Second Guru).
Samadh of Shravan is situated at a distance of about 7 Kilometers from Ajnala near Jastarwal. It is the oldest heritage spot in Amritsar dating back to the era of Lord Ram. The Samadh is situated on the banks of the old brook called Purani Dhab. According to a legend, after being struck by an arrow of King Dashratha (King of Ayodhya), Shravan Kumar was buried here.
Mohammad Khairuddin built Jama Masjid Khairuddin in 1876. It is situated in the Hall Bazaar. Form this architectural wonder Tootie-e-Hind Shah Attaullah Bukhari gave a call against the British rule.
About Golden Temple offers you holiday packages, leisure tour packages, business tour packages and pilgrimage tour packages at best available prices. Travel to Amritsar with About Golden Temple and have a memorable experience of staying in best hotels in Amritsar along with a visit to nearby religious places including Golden Temple. You must visit historical landmarks like Jallianwala Bagh and Ram Bagh etc.
About Golden Temple enhances your knowledge regarding Amritsar Highlights and offers online trip booking for Amritsar Punjab, India.
