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, 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.