A Visit To Amritsar Punjab: The City Of Golden Temple:

The thought of exploring Amritsar was one of the most accurate and awaited decision that I have ever made. Amritsar is an ideal state located in Punjab, and personally known for its rich history, architecture and its culture. This City is so close to my heart as because of its vibrant Golden Temple, that attracts too many tourists at a time, and it also attracted me this time. Apart from it's golden temple, Amritsar has alot of things to do and to explore new experiences. Let's begin my article of my experience and Journey to the Amritsar, Punjab.

The Golden Temple: A heaven for devotees:

My visit to the Golden Temple, or Harmandir Sahib, was a profound experience that is hard to encapsulate in words. Known as one of the holiest shrines in Sikhism, the Golden Temple stands as a symbol of universal brotherhood and equality. 

Exploring the Golden Temple: 

After reaching to Amritsar, I went to the most famous and important pilgrimage, the Golden Temple. The first view of the Golden Temple was full of spirituality. It was fully coated with Golden light, and it was surrounded by the serene waters of the Amritsar Sarovar. When the prayers got started, I took my place and my heart was filled with its radiant beauty.

Entering the Temple:

Before entering the Temple, everyone was told to walk through the pool to cleanse your feet. I truly felt like of removing all the impurities before being stepped into the holy vibes. I could see the Golden Temple was surrounded by beautiful Amrit Sarovar (holy water tank) which made me feel the ambience better and good. After entering the Temple, I could feel the dignity and the energetic form of spirituality. 

Getting inside the Temple:

As soon I got inside in the Temple, I could see the inner work, peacefully done with intricate gold and marbles with Guru Granth Sahib. I was cherishing the every single moment I did spent in the Golden Temple. 

Langar :

Next I got an opportunity of dining at the langar hall, where the people of the Golden Temple served free meal to thousands of the devotees as prasad.

Langar, was basically a community kitchen in temple, serving free meals and symbolising the selfless service by the Sikhs. By hearted I joined the Langar and I felt truly religious after watching hundreds of volunteers preparing and serving the food to the devotees by love.

The taste of the food was truly stunning and obviously it had an spiritual mark on my journey as it symbolised the selflessness of the Sikhs that provide food for thousands of the devotees and people.

Exploring the Amritsar:

After getting into religious vibe in the Golden Temple, I decided to explore the Vibrant City Amritsar.

Jallianwala Bagh: Hardships in the Past

After a short travel, I get to explore the Jallianwala Bagh, it is an public garden that reminds me of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre where thousands of people died. But the place is truly beautiful and stunning at its place. The view and the beauty of the surrounding of the Garden was so mesmerizing for me.

Within the garden there was a small museum that I explored. It displayed various artifacts providing a historical context to the incident of Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Wagah Border: 

Exploring Amritsar would be incomplete without visiting the Wagah border with its Daily flag lowering Ceremony. I feel so good that I got this opportunity to be a part of this ceremony. Wagah Border separates India from Pakistan that was truly mesmerizing and spiritual. 

I became the part of this ceremony in the evening as this ceremony helds between afternoon and the evening. There was a huge crowd gathered near the borders, chanting the patriotic slogans. I could see the soldiers with the dignity of their work and the energetic form that the crowd had towards their nation. I could felt the sense of Pride in my eyes and in myself as it showed me the real meaning of patriotism and the tribute to the soldiers.

Partition Museum: A Devotion to the Past

My next visit was to the Partition Museum which was truly dedicated to the Partition of India in 1947. The museum was located in the Town Hall and I was amazed by seeing it's extensive collection of photographs, letters and alot of historic moments that tell the heart wrenching stories of people who were truly affected by the partition during that time.

This museum is truly related to iconic partition of India. As when I was walking around the museum, I got to know about the struggling of the families who were forced to leave their places and homes. Partition museum is an significance of the past people who had gone through hardships and their significant stories about the time of partition.

Exploring the essence of Local Markets :

Apart from the history, I went to explore Amritsar's vibrant markets that are truly made for food lovers and shopaholics. I spent some hours in the afternoon wandering into the narrow streets of the Hall Bazaar known as, one of the oldest and busiest market. I could see the traditional things to be selling like the phulkari embroidery, the Punjabi juttis, bangles and jewelry. The Hall Bazaar was so crowded even in the evening as it shows the richness and the demand of the customers in the daily life. The aroma of its street food and the local shops were a sensory experience in itself.

Desi Tadka: Diving into Punjabi cuisines:

Keeping aside these cuisines, i tried some most famous delightful cuisines of Amritsar. As Amritsar is known for its rich and delicious cuisines, this place is specially made for food lovers. My first reach was on the famous dhaba to try the unique Amritsari Kulcha. It was fully filled and was server with spicy and tangy chole. The chole as well as kulcha were literally dipped in the butter making it soft and crunchy same time. Trying the Amritsari Kulcha was the best cuisine in Amritsar I've tried.

I also jumped upon to try the authentic lassi. I have tried lassi many times in Delhi, but to give it an real taste I tried lassi in Amritsar. It was served in a very large steel glass with a thick layer of cream at top of it. The taste was so authentic and creamy as i couldn't imagine. Lastly I tried the pride of Amritsar that was Makki di roti and sarso da saag which was also dipped in butter and ghee

I also had the chance to try lassi, a traditional Punjabi yogurt drink, served in a large steel glass and topped with a thick layer of cream. Other delicacies included Makki di Roti (corn bread) and Sarson da Saag (mustard greens), a classic combination in Punjabi cuisine that is both delicious and wholesome.

Durgiana Temple: The Silver Temple of Amritsar

After exploring the vibrant colours of Golden Temple, I visited the Durgiana Temple   is an which is an also spiritual gem of the Amritsar. This temple is mainly dedicated to Lord Durga, Lord Krishna and to Lord Vishnu. This temple was fully surrounded by water tanks and the architect showed me the glimpse of the golden temple.

I got to know that Durgiana Temple is not much as famous as the Golden Temple, but it had an charming and tranquility by serving me a peaceful atmosphere with the ideal carvings of the Durgiana Temple. 

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum and Panorama:

Lastly I visited to explore the deeper history of Punjab that was the Maharaja Ranjit Singh museum, a museum which was totally dedicated to the life and the awards of Maharaja Ranjit singh. The museum was full of collection of weapons, intricate painting that showed me an another highlight for my this Punjabi journey.

To end my journey I explored the panorama which was just adjacent to the museum. It was depicting a 3D depiction of the iconic battles fought my Maharaja Ranjit Singh onto that I got my eyes on it brilliantly.

A heartfelt Goodbye to Amritsar:

Saying a goodbye to my vibrant journey to the Amritsar will always be an great ful journey as it made my brain more shaper by diving into their history, cultures and cuisines. This journey allowed me to get connected by the Sikhs and into their faith.

I would cherish all the best parts that I spent in the Amritsar. The Golden Temple with intricate carvings, the lassi, sarso da saag, The Ranjit singh museum, I loved all of them beside my journey, everything was on the top and I appreciate the opportunity that I get a chance to visit and explore the unique Sikh Culture and traditions in Amritsar, Punjab.