Travelling is one of the best ways of relaxation that soothes your soul and uplifts your spirit, along with nurturing your inner self and boosts you. Read on to know about the best historical places in Amritsar.
Famous Historical Places in Amritsar
Give your wings the air it longs for and take a break from your regular, monotonous lives.
Here is a list of the most popular historical places in Amritsar
Golden Temple
Golden Temple is considered to be the principal temple of the Sikhs and is also known as Harmandir Sahib. Sai Mir Mian Mohammad laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple in 1589, and the Golden Temple was built around a man-made lake, built by Guru Ram Das in 1577.
Also read Golden Temple Timings, History, Nearby Attractions and more
Later on, the temple was demolished by the Muslims from Afghanistan numerous times, and blood of cows was deposited in the pool. It was restored numerous times by the Sikhs. It is a popular religious shrine, and thousands of tourists visit the temple every day to seek blessings.
Jallianwala Bagh
Built on the site of the famous Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, where more than 1,500 Indians were killed brutally by the British soldiers; the Jallianwala Bagh is presently built as a memorial, commemorating the martyrs killed in the event. It is located near the Golden Temple and is a popular tourist site.
The spot is still kept as it was during the event, with the single narrow passage that led the British soldiers, to the martyrs well, where many people jumped, hoping to save their lives. There is a martyr’s gallery in the memorial which depicts the names of many heroes who died on that day.
Also read Jallianwala Bagh Timings, Entry Fee, History and more
Akal Takht
Considered to be a very holy site for the Sikhs, the Akal Takht is one of the Five Takhts of the Sikh community. Build by Guru Hargobind; the Akal Takht is located within the Golden Temple complex.
This building was primarily built to address the problems and issues of the Sikhs. A chief, known as the Jathedar, is appointed who looks after the concerns of the Sikh pilgrims and tries to resolve them. The building is five-storied and is famous for Operation Blue Star, which took place in the year 1984 and more than 500 military and civilians lost their lives.
Wagah Border
Located in between the two major cities of Amritsar and Lahore, the Wagah Border is one of the most popular places to visit in Amritsar. The Wagah-Attari Border ceremony happens every day, before sunset when army personnel from both the countries practice a quick drill, also known as the” silly walk ceremony”,
This particular drill was primarily started to prevail peace in the place. It is a very patriotic thing to witness, and every day numerous tourists visit this place to witness the drill.
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Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the leader of the Sikh empire and prevailed in Sikhism. He occupies a special place in the cultural and historical backdrop of Sikhs. This museum has numerous idols, paintings, and mannequins dedicated to the leader.
There is a very famous Panorama gallery which has numerous scenes from the battles fought by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Khalsa College
With a lavish architecture of the Mughal, British and Sikh style, the Khalsa College was originally built in order to create a higher place to study for the Sikhs during the British rule. The locals of Amritsar and the rich Sikhs provided the land for the college, and it was completed in the year 1892.
The building is an example of architecture from Neo-Saracenic style. It is often visited by travellers interested in photography and history. It is definitely one if the best historical places in Amritsar.
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Sri Ram Tirath Ashram
Also known as the Sri Ram Tirath Temple is, it is located 11 km away from the city of Amritsar. As per folklore, the ashram or hermitage belonged to Rishi Valmiki. It was in this ashram that Sita took shelter after she was left by Ram. Her sons, Luv and Kush were said to be born in this ashram.
There is a small hut that, according to the stories, belonged to Sita and a tank that was thought to be dug by Lord Hanuman.
The Sri Ram Tirath Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. It has several small temples on its premises. One can visit the place best in November when the annual fair of Amritsar takes place beside this ashram.
Durgiana Temple
As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is a Hindu temple but resembles the Golden Temple to a large extent. The temple has also deities of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu.
Though the original temple was build in the early 16th century, it is said that it was in that courtyard where Lav and Kusha tied Hanuman to a tree after holding the horse of the Ashwamedha yajna, the tree can still be seen here.
Located at a distance of just 1.5 km from the bus terminal, the Durgiana Temple is a famous tourist spot in Amritsar.
Gobindgarh Fort
One of the prime tourist attractions in Amritsar, the Gobindgarh Fort is located in Amritsar and was occupied by the army till 2017, after which it was open for the public.
The fort was conquered and destroyed multiple times and restored again and again. The fort is built entirely from bricks and lime. It had 25 canons on its premises.
The fort still stands still and was later restored. If you are in Amritsar, you must not lose the chance to visit this place.
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Jama Masjid
Commonly known as the Khairuddin Mosque, the Jama Masjid in Amritsar has spectacular architecture. Shah Attahullah Bukhari asked the Indian civilians to stand united against the British from this mosque.
Today this spot has gained much attention and is thus a prime spot for tourist attraction.
Tarn Taran Sahib
Founded by the fifth Sikh guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Tarn Taran Sahib is a religious place for the Sikhs and is located in the Mjha district of Punjab.
Legends say, one day while roaming around, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji reached the place and was extremely mesmerized with the beauty of the place. He then named the village Tarn Taran Sahib, which means the boat to cross the ocean of turmoil and reach the Almighty God.
The place holds a great deal of importance in history and has a temple known as Tarn Taran Sahib Temple.
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Pul Kanjari
One of the sites built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Pul Kanjari is a village located about 35 km from Amritsar. It served as the resting site for Maharaja Ranjit Sigh while he travelled with his troops.
Previously an important tourist spot, the Pul Kanjari is a must-visit if you are in Amritsar.
Guru Ke Mahal
Another important Gurudwara for the Sikhs in Amritsar, the Guru Ke Mahal is located in Amritsar. The famous Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Ramdas Ji got married here and stayed with his family here.
Today, it is often flooded with numerous visitors seeking the blessings of the almighty.
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How to Reach Amritsar
By Air
The nearest airport to Amritsar is located 10 km away from the city and is the Sree Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport. You can fly to this airport and take a cab from there to your favourite place.
By Rail
Amritsar Railway Station is well connected to the major cities of the country by regular trains. You can take an overnight journey to reach the station and then take a private taxi.
By Road
Amritsar is well connected with the neighbouring cities of the country like Chandigarh, Patiala, Ambala, Delhi, etc. via road. There are numerous state and private buses that connect Amritsar to these destinations.
Best Time to Visit These Historical Places in Amritsar
The best time to visit Amritsar is considered to be the winter months when the temperature remains comparatively pleasant. The months of November to December stays very favourable for sightseeing.
You can also visit Amritsar during Guru Nanak Jayanti to explore Amritsar.
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