Amritsar

Understand

alt=GoldenTemple|thumb|Golden Temple, Amritsar The name Amritsar name derives from the pool around the Golden Temple (aka Harmandir Sahib) and means "holy pool of nectar" (Amrit elixir; Sar, short for sarovar which means "lake").

No visit to Amritsar is complete without a visit of the Golden Temple, including a community meal, a bath in the pool, potentially a night in the temple and if you are keen a volunteering session in the community kitchen, as well as the participation in the Flag lowering ceremony at the Wagah (Attari) border.

Get in

The best time to visit Amritsar is during winter, October–March.

See

right|thumb|Jallianwala Bagh, with bullet holes visible on the walls

Do

– The ceremony at the Wagah (Attari) border involving a lot of nationalistic cheering, Monty-Pythonesque silly walks by soldiers, the lowering of the flags of both the countries (India and Pakistan), and the closing of international gates Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru is classed a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Buy

thumb|right|Sikh khandas displayed prominently on an exaggerated turban There are bustling bazaars with a huge variety from embroidered phulkari dupattas to famous papad wariyan. The markets offer a wide range of products like carpets, bangles, shawls and woolen textiles and Punjabi juttis (traditional footwear).

Sikh symbols and religious paraphernalia like khandas, Karas (Sikh religious bangle), swords, daggers etc. from the shops close to the Golden Temple. CDs of temple recordings, chants, and Punjabi music in the shops along the front of the temple. Punjabi Juttis (shoes) from the tiny shops near the Hall Bazaar flyover. Warian (spicy pulses ground with spices) from Hall Bazaar Phulkaari is a form of embroidery from the state of Punjab in India and certain parts of Pakistan which literally means “flower making”. Brightly coloured shawls to sarees to head scarves to salwar-kameez of Phulkaari can be found in Hall Bazar and Kapra market. Hand-embroidered ones would be more expensive and are still very much in demand for festivals and other joyous occasions. Bargain your heart out, especially in Kapra market as it’s a whole-sale market for clothes.

Eat

Amritsar is famous for Amritsari Kulcha, a flatbread cooked in tandoor which is usually eaten with pindi chhole (chickpeas) for breakfast.

thumb|Amritsar, Shopping street Country Inn & Suites, around the corner of Bhandari Bridge serves up great Indian, Italian, Continental and Chinese food. There are very few decent non-veg restaurants and cafes near the temple complex.

Drink

Lassi is a popular and traditional yogurt-based drink which originates in the Punjab region. It is made by blending yogurt with water and Indian spices. Traditional lassi (also known as salted lassi, or, simply lassi) is a savoury drink sometimes flavoured with ground roasted cumin while sweet lassi, on the other hand, is blended with sugar or fruits instead of spices.

Stay safe

thumb|Behave!

The sectarian strife of the 1980s is just a bad memory and Amritsar is a safe and welcoming city, if a little polluted. Don't leave cash or any valuables in the hotel room. Cross check all hotel, restaurant and lounges bills for errors. Never pay anyone for anything upfront, including taxi drivers. Do not exchange money in the black market. Ask for a receipt when exchanging money at any authorised currency exchange centre.

Respect

You should remain aware and respectful of the Sikh religion anywhere near the Golden Temple complex. Inside the complex both men and women are required to cover their heads (scarves are widely available throughout the town for ₹10, or a box of them are free to use at the entrances to the temple). Every visitor is required to remove shoes and socks and wash his/her feet before entering the temple. You can store your shoes at the subterranean building to the left of the entrance. Smoking and alcohol are forbidden within the complex and anywhere within sight of the temple. Lighting up a cigarette on the busy street out front will definitely attract negative attention, as will spitting near the temple. Photography is allowed on the outside ring of the holy lake, but not inside the temple.

Go next

Dharamsala – A hill station in Himachal Pradesh, famed for its large Tibetan community centred on the activities of the Dalai Lama. Jammu – The winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir Lahore – Armed with a visa, take the plunge into this bustling gateway city, one of the cultural hubs of Pakistan.