A bustling city with an indomitable spirit, Amritsar holds one among the holiest of Sikh ethos at its heart – the Golden Temple. Covered in 400 kg of gold and surrounded by a serene sarovar (pond), one is instantly swamped by the humbling sight of the glistening structure, which is additionally home to at least one of the most important community kitchens (langar) within the country that serves about 20,000 people each day .
Though visitors often make a beeline for the temple, the old-world charm of the town slowly sneaks abreast of them, making them fall crazy with a city that buzzes with spirited and lively nuances. Be it the bullet-ridden walls of Jallianwala Bagh or the energetically charged scene of the Wagah Border, one has got to step into the town to feel the eagerness of thousands of individuals who laid down their lives for the country. the various Indo-British style buildings that dot the city’s landscape stand as a sworn statement to its rich history and significant contribution to the Indian freedom movement.

Moreover, the town is understood for its food pilgrimage that’s undertaken in its frenetic and fantastic bazaars that win you over with their diversity and vibrancy. From an array of dishes like butter-drenched paranthas (Indian flatbread), creamy lassi (a drink made from yoghurt), dahi-balla and aloo-tikki (deep-fried savouries), the city’s food is rife with flavours and aromas. However, what makes travelling to the town truly unforgettable is that the warmth of its people.
Amritsar gets its name from the holy tank called Amrit Sarovar, meaning pool of nectar, which surrounds the Golden Temple. Legend has it that the fourth guru of the Sikh faith, Guru Ram Das, founded the town around 1574 AD. it’s said, Guru Amardas, the third Sikh guru, bought a bit of land, amid thick forests, to create a tank. But he died before it might be built. Folklore says Guru Ram Das invited 52 traders from nearby places to settle.
They built 32 shops, which still exist in Amritsar, and are popularly referred to as Batisi Hatta. the development for Amrit Sarovar was completed by his successor Guru Arjan Dev. Interestingly, Amritsar also finds a mention within the Hindu epic, Ramayana, because the place where Lord Rama and Goddess Sita’s twin sons, Luv and Kush, were born. Amritsar was further developed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, founder and king (1801–39) of the erstwhile kingdom of Punjab.