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Amritsar - Leisure destinations in India
Golden Temple, Amritsar
The
Golden Temple, Amritsar situated in the state of Punjab, is an amalgamation
of amazing beauty and empyrean tranquillity. The site of the temple has been the
place of worship for saints and devotees since time immemorial and even Buddha
is believed to have spent time here, in contemplation. Inside the temple, the
holy Guru Granth Sahib has been placed on a high jewel-studded platform. The
ambiance of the place intensified with chanting of devotional poems, prayers and
hymns from the Granth Sahib casts a magical spell on devotees. In this leisure destinations of India , next to the lake
is a large dormitory and hall where devotees can stay and eat for free. The
architecture of the temple is inspired from both Hindu and Muslim styles, while
it gets its name because of its dome which was covered by gold in the past. The
gold may not be there anymore but the Golden Temple continues to be one of the
most magnificent religious structures in the world.
History
Hundreds of years ago, Guru Nanak, the holy saint
and founder of the Sikh religion, chose a site for praying and meditation,
beside a serene lake. After Guru Nanak passed away, his followers continued to
visit the place and with time it became the sacred place for the followers of
Sikh religion. Several modifications were made to the lake during the time of
the fourth Sikh guru Ram Das and a temple was built in the holy place, named the
Hari Mandir, by the fifth guru Arjan Sahib ji. During the next hundred years,
the temple was destroyed many times and was rebuilt each time by the Sikhs,
until the community became strong enough to ward off the invaders. During the
reign of Maharajah Ranjit Singh, sometime in the 18th century, the temple was
embellished with beautiful marble structures, precious stones and the dome of
the temple was covered with 100 kg of pure gold, hence the name, Golden Temple.
Since then, the Golden Temple has been the most revered place of the
Sikhs.
Attractions Around
» Jalianwala Bagh :
During the British Rule in 1919, the police fired randomly on hundreds of
people, taking out a peaceful procession in demand of freedom, at the Jalianwala
Bagh. Hundreds of innocent men, women and children were killed in the event.
Since then the Jalianwala Bagh, where the bullet marks can still be seen on the
boundary walls, has been a cruel reminder of the massacre.
» Wagah Border : The change of guard ceremony held at the India -
Pakistan border is a spectacle worth watching. The event held at Wagah Border, a
short distance from Amritsar, draws many locals and tourists to the
place.
» Tarn Taran : The holy Sikh shrine of Tarn Taran,
22 km from Amritsar, was built in honour of Guru Ram Das. Built on the lines of
the Golden Temple, it is believed that the water in the pond situated here has
the power to cure leprosy.
» Durgiana Mandir : Situated
at a short distance from the Golden Temple, the beautiful Durgiana Mandir
dedicated to goddess Durga is a site worth visiting. The massive structure which
is situated in the middle of a lake, was built in the 16th
century.
Getting There
» By Air : The Raja
Sansi Airport is situated just 10 km from Amritsar city. Regular flights fly for
many Indian cities as well as for London and New York. Taxis can be hired from
the airport to reach the city.
» By Rail : Amritsar is a
main railway station which connects to all major cities of the country including
Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Puri through many superfast and express trains. The
Samjhauta Express connects Amritsar to Lahore in Pakistan.
»
By Road : Well built highways connect Amritsar to major cities of north
India. State Transport Buses provide regular services from Amritsar to Delhi and
other cities.
