subject: Sightseeing In Amritsar An Olden City Touched By Divinity [print this page] Amritsar of Indias state of Punjab is one of the most beautiful historic cities in the country, whose very name is congruent with its proud Sikh history and the infamous Golden Temple. It is the cradle of the Sikh culture and religion, peppered with beautiful Gurdwaras and the pilgrims who come there to pray to the numerous Gurus who have immortalized their spiritual footprints in its soil. The very name of Amritsar is imbued with mystery, magic and lyricality it literally means the pool of divine nectar. Today, its serene charm has somewhat been dispersed because of the rapid urban development and encroaching modernization, helped along by the governments implementation of a special economic zone within the city. Real estate developers have swarmed the region to construct high-end residential areas and townships comprising luxury villas, penthouses and apartments.
This kind of accelerated expansion has put not only the sleepy old-world spirituality and charm of the ancient city at risk, but also the numerous shrines and religious monuments that are its mainstays. To this end, the city now specifically attempts to preserve the beauty and dignity of these old buildings, which are significant part of the countrys most valued cultural heritage sites as well as an unrivalled tourist draw.
Among these aforementioned prominent city landmarks, the Golden Temple occupies pride of place. The magnificent monument is a long-enduring icon of the Sikh religion as well as its old empire founded by Emperor Ranjit Singh. The complex is a sight to behold especially at night, when the lights turn its walls and the surrounding pool of water into a hue of honey-gold and the bandanna-covered heads of its thousands of devotees teeming in and out of the buildings appear as bees thronging around their hive. It is no wonder that the place draws more visitors a year than the Taj Mahal.
A short walk away from the temple lies the sobering memorial of Jallianwala Bagh, where the 1919 massacre of over a thousand civilians by British Indian Army soldiers took place. This blood-stained, bullet-ridden site is probably the most unpleasant of Amritsars key tourist draws; however, it commands a visit from any patriotic Indian or humanitarian wishing to pay due homage to one of the vents that left a lasting impact on the Indian Liberation movement.
From a site kissed by Death we move to one brimful of the promise of life. The Mata Temple is a temple devoted to the female saint Lal Devi contained within the womb of a cave. Fittingly, women traditionally come here to pray for fertility, although its veritable labyrinth of tunnels and water-logged walkways make the experience somewhat more akin to that of a funhouse than a shrine. The Durgiana Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Durga, is another such Hindu shrine whose complex, which is set in the midst of a sarovar, is reminiscent of the Golden Temple. The summer palace of Emperor Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire, sees the grand courts of this ruler converted into a museum showcasing the life and achievements of an enigmatic historical figure whom the Sikhs hold second in reverence only to the Gurus themselves.
The charm of Amritsar is not confined to its monuments and memorials alone. Its many flavours and the sprawling agricultural fields also encapsulate the spirit of the Punjabi people. The flavors can literally be experienced by sampling the street food which the towns of Amritsar are famous for, while the gilded in gold reputation of Amritsar is literally upheld in the markets of Mochi Bazaar, where resides the heart of Punjabs thriving jewelry industry.
There are many more sights for travelers passing through Amritsar to enjoy, and even if your tastes are more discerning than the usual tourists, reserving the right Amritsar hotel will ensure that you dont have to make any concessions with regards to comfort and convenience. Ista Amritsar is one of the high-end luxxury hotels Amritsar that is fast gaining a reputation for great service, elegant environs and great accessibility.
