India-Tourist-Places.com

Archive for the ‘Amritsar’ Category

Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib is named after Hari(God) the temple of God. The Sikhs all over the world, daily wish to pay visit to Sri Amritsar and to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib in their Ardas. Sri Harmandir Sahib, is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of the Sarovar(tank). The temple itself is 40.5ft. square. It has a door each on the East, West, North and South. The Darshani Deori (an arch) stands at the shore end of the causeway. The door frame of the arch is about 10ft in height and 8ft 6inches in breath. The door panes are decorated with artistic style. It opens on to the causeway or bridge that leads to the main building of Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is 202 feet in length and 21 feet in width.

The main structure of Sri Harmandir Sahib, functionally as well as technically is a three-storied one. The front, which faces the bridge, is decorated with repeated cusped arches and the roof of the first floor is at the height of the 26 feet and 9 inches.

At the top of the first floor 4 feet high parapet rises on all the sides which has also four ‘Mamtees’ on the four corners and exactly on the top of the central hall of the main sanctuary rises the third story. It is a small square room and have three gates. A regular recitation of Guru Granth Sahib is also held there. On the top of this room stands the low fluted ‘Gumbaz’(dome) having lotus petal motif in relief at the base inverted lotus at the top which supports the ‘Kalash’ having a beautiful ‘Chhatri’ at the end.

The chants of the devotees sanctify the entire area from dawn till dusk and the pilgrims and tourists strolling in its vicinity and around the marbled concourse encircling the pool, experience a spiritual nirvana too powerful to be contained in mere language.
 

The word Amritsar means the holy pool of nectar. 1573 Work began on digging the holy pool. 1601 Harmandir Sahib completed. 1604 Guru Granth Sahib installed. Alongside people representing 52 professions settled. In Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s time Amritsar had superceded Lahore as the pre-eminent city of the Orient

Amritsar, literally a Pool of Nectar, derives its name from Amrit Sarovar, the holy tank that surrounds the fabulous Golden Temple. First time visitors to Amritsar could be forgiven for the impression that Amritsar is like any other small town in northern India. But Amritsar stands head and shoulders above any other city, its status elevated and sanctified by the presence of the venerable Golden Temple.

Amritsar has various historical and religious sites. The most famous of them all in the Golden Temple which was founded by the fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ramdas and completed by his successor Guru Arjan Dev. Another revered shrine is the Durgiana Temple which is dedicated to goddess Durga.

Amritsar is one of the most ancient and fascinating cities of India. It is an important seat of Sikh history and culture. Being the gateway for travellers coming to India on the overland route from central Asia it soon became the centre of various commercial activities.
 

Amritsar is located in northern Punjab. It lies 15 miles(25km) away from Indo-Pak border. Amritsar is an important city in Punjab and is a major commercial, cultural, and transportation centre. It is also the centre of Sikhism and the site of the Sikh’s principal place of worship.The city has derived its name from Amrit Sarovar which means a Pool of Nectar.

Some must places to see in Amritsar are :

Golden Temple : The Golden temple also known as Harmander Sahib is located in the holy city of the Sikhs, Amritsar. The Golden temple is one of the most sacred pilgrim spots for Sikhs.The dome is carved out of pure gold.The temple was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh who used 400 kg of gold leaf to built the upper half of the building.Sri Harmandir Sahib, is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of the Sarovar(tank). Golden Temple was founded by the fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ramdas and completed by his successor Guru Arjan Dev.The place has mythological sinificance, Sage Valmiki wrote the epic, Ramayana here.Akal Takhat located at right side preserves a number of weapons used by Guru Hargobind, Guru Gobind Singh and other Sikh heroes .To the south a nine-storeyed tower Baba Atal is located.The ‘Guru Ka Langar’ offers cooked food 24 hours to all visitors irrespective of religion, caste, creed and nationality.Guru Ram Das niwas and Guru Nank niwas offers accomodation facilities to the pilgrims.The Central Sikh Museum has paintings of Sikh Gurus, Saints, Sikh warriors and other prominent Sikh leaders who have in their own way contributed a lot to the enhancement of Sikh Religion.

Jallianwala Bagh : Jallianwala Bagh is located near Golden Temple. The place holds historical significance.After Mangal Pandey blew the bugle for commencing the struggle for independence, General Dyer made a law that no Indian will be allowed to hold gatherings or processions.On 13 April 1919,thousands of Punjabis gathered from nearby places to celebrate the Baisakhi. As the communication system was underdeveloped at that time, they were not informed regarding this law. Taking it as a violation of the law, General Dyer entered in the Park with his troops and open fired on all the innocent men women and children present there.The historical happening was given the name Jallianwala Bagh massacre.Some people were shot dead, some were wounded, and a majority of the people tried to jump in the well to escape the death form the hands of foreign power. There is no accurate data of number of people died and wounded in this event.

Durgiana Temple : Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya laid the foundation of this temple.The temple is designed on the lines of Golden Temple and is a revered place for Hindus. It is located outside the Lohgarh Gate. The Temple stands amidst a tank.The Temple is also known as Lakshmi Narayan Mandir. Primarily the Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga; therefore it is called Durgiana Temple. Though Durga is the main deity, most of the temple’s imagery centers around Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna.

Ram Bagh : The garden is located in the new part of town.It holds a tribute to Guru Ram Das,the fourth sikh guru and the founder of the city of Amritsar.It also has a museum in the summer palace built by the Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) the Lion of Punjab. The museum exihibits weapons dating back to Mughal times and some paintings of the ruling houses of the Punjab and a replica of the diamond ‘Kohinoor’.Ram Bagh also holds a lively statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh saddled on a horse.

Tarn Taran : This tank is located at 25kms south of Amritsar. The tank was constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.It encompasses a temple and holds a tower on the east side. It is said that if anyone swim across the whole tank are miraculously cured.

Dharamshala : It is located at a distance of 200 kilometres from Amritsar in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is also known as the present home of Dalai Lama. This wonderful and picturesque hill station is characterised by magnificent deodar and pine forests, tea gardens and beautiful hills. Mc Leodganj (10 km), the Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute, Bhagsunath (11 km), St. John’s Church (8 km),the Kunal Pathri (3 km) and the War Memorial (2 km from the town centre) are some of the major places to visit in Dharamshala.

Gobindwal Sahib : It is located at a distance of 30 kilometres from Amritsar.Gobindwal Sahib is another place to visit during excursion from Amritsar. It encompasses final resting place of Guru Angad Devji that stands nearby.