Amritsar Hotels

In the case of Amritsar, in the venerable state of Punjab, the unmistakable drawing card is the spectacular Harmandir Sahib. The holiest shrine in Sikhism, known colloquially as the Golden Temple, is indeed that. The gleaming, iconic ingot of a shrine lures more annual visitors than the Taj Mahal and, if you do the subsequent math, is the number one attraction for international arrivals to India. A staggering 100,000 people typically converge on the spiritual heart of the Sikh religion on a daily basis!

Amritsar’s manifest appeal among adherents to the faith aside, the city of 1.2 million people is in one of the most fascinating neighbourhoods in all of India. Punjab is a country within a country and Amritsar but one jewel in a cascading trove of treasures. State capital Chandigarh, easily one of the most unique cities in India, is four hours away. Jammu, another major pilgrimage destination in the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir, is a three hour hop from the city. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s second largest metropolis, frenetic Lahore, lurks just over the border, some 20 mi (32 km) away. All in all then, Amritsar punctuates a part of India that is not only breathtakingly beautiful, if not slightly politically fraught, but exudes incomparable cultural significance as well!

Amritsar's Top 10

Amritsar History

• Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) – A prominent Sikh Gurdwara, built in 1574, in the heart of Amritsar.
• Jallian Wala Memorial – A monument built in the remembrance of the Jallian Massacre, 1919, under the British Rule.
• Ram Bagh Garden and Meuseum – A lush green and beautiful garden named as a tribute to Guru Ram Das. Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been converted into a museum.
• Jagdev Kalan – The native village of the famous poet Hashim Shah, author of the famous "Sassi-Punnu".
• Serai Amanat Khan – The resting place of Amanat Khan. A masterpiece of Mughal architecture and elegance.

Amritsar Art & Culture

• Amritsar Heritage Festival – A cultural and heritage festival is arranged by the Amritsar Heritage Society and held every November.
• Phulan Rani Art Gallery – Displays magnificent paintings by India’s leading artist Phulan Rani.
• Pawan Art Studio – The best place for arranging art exhibitions and theatre programs.
• Pleasantino Woodworks – Offers a wide variety of art on wood in Amritsar.
• S G Thakur Singh Art Gallery – Displays the famous paintings of the renowned artist S G Thakur Singh.

Amritsar Shopping

• Souvenir Shops – Souvenirshops are outside the Golden Temple and offer many cultural and traditional ornaments.
• Amritsari Bazaar – A modern shopping mall in Amritsar with an Oriental touch.
 
• Focal Point – Focal Point is renowned for its wooden chess sets.
• Fabindia – An amazing place to shop for traditional and wonderful Indian textiles and homewares.
 
• Local Bazaars – The excitement and fun of shopping from local bazaars is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Amritsar Gay & Lesbian

Indian society is not entirely receptive to homosexuality as of yet, and the gay and lesbian scene in Amritsar is underdeveloped. It is advisable for gays and lesbians to exercise discretion and refrain from displaying public acts of affection.

• Grand Hotel – The bar at this hotel has been noted as a meeting spot for gays and is also a nice place to get a drink.
• Café Coffee Day – This chain is one of the best places to get a great coffee and snacks.
• Aanam Theatre – See a selection of contemporary Hindi films at this cinema.
• Brothers’ Dhaba – Taste Amritsar’s famed snacks at this cheap snack bar.
• Hotel City Heart – This three-star hotel has a helpful staff and a great location, and has been noted to be gay-friendly.

Amritsar, India

Amritsar, located in northern India, is 217 km (135 miles) northwest of the state capital of Chandigarh and 32 km (20 miles) east of India's western border with Pakistan. Amritsar, the cultural and spiritual centre of the Sikh religion, is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in India. The city houses the Golden Temple, the most famous of the Sikh shrines.

Amritsar Attractions

• Golden Temple
• Amritsar's Jallianwala Bagh
• Ram Bagh Gardens

Amritsar Activities

• Walk in the culturally rich streets of Amritsar and have some local cuisine, very famous throughout the country
• Shop for traditional souvenirs at the market next to the Golden Temple
• Marvel at the Gurudwaras, historic Sikh worship shrines

Amritsar Climate

Amritsar experiences the typical semi-arid climate of most locations in northwestern India with annual precipitation of 680 mm (27 inches). The temperature ranges from 4°C (39°F) during winter to 45°C (113°F) during summer. The best time to visit is between September and December.

Getting There & Around

The Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport is well connected with over 200 domestic and international flights. The Amritsar railway service available connects it to all the major metropolitan cities in India.

Taxis and auto rickshaws are the way to get around in Amritsar. Since the streets are congested, travelling by auto rickshaws is easier and quicker than by taxi.

Amritsar Events

The dominant festival season in Amritsar takes place from October to November with the celebrations of Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birthday of the first Sikh Guru and founder of the religion.

Lohri, a winter solstice and agriculture festival particular to Punjab and a few other states, takes place in January.

Vaisakhi is a traditional harvest festival in north India, particularly Punjab, that doubles as one of the most important high holidays on the Sikh calendar.

When To Go

Amritsar has a semi-arid climate with sharp summer and winter extremes. Tourists generally avoid the months of the former for good reason: from April to June the midday highs in the city soar past 104°F (40°C).

July to October features a short wet season with some welcome monsoon showers. From November to March temperatures run from 32°F (0°C) to 68°F (20°C) on average but can dip well below freezing at night.

On the whole, the best months to visit Amritsar are March, October and November.