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Top Things to do in Amritsar

by Mohit Behl
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There is something strangely satisfying about revisiting a place long after the bright memories which you had of it have retrograded into dim shadows. Walking down the same path and feeling you remember so little of it, and yet be overcome with a strong sense of familiarity and homecoming. It was in the wee hours of the morning, on the festival of Lohri, no less, that we entered the premises of the most revered place of worship in the city. To see the long beeline outside the sanctum coming to a standstill while the Ardas was being recited in mellowed voices was a humbling experience, preordained from above to calm even the most turbulent minds. I am, of course, talking about the spectacular Golden Temple of Amritsar, easily the highlight of my prodigal return to the city after a hiatus of 16 years.

What took so long is something I won’t delve into. I had been planning to visit Amritsar for a while but nothing materialised from paper to action until a chance occurrence. My recent association with Stay on Skill brought me to the SOS Meetup right in the very heart of the city at City On Pedals. Located at a walking distance from the Amritsar Railway Station, City On Pedals is a tour and backpackers hostel with luxury dorm beds in a budget, a fun common area, and a quiet co-working space. To add icing on the cake, they also provide guided tours in Amritsar lead by a local guide who knows the city inside out. As I came to experience —on foot and pedals—in a span of three days, I’m writing down some of the must-do things in Amritsar for you to remember.

City On Pedals Hostel

City On Pedals Hostel

An early morning visit to the Golden Temple

While anytime is a good time to visit the Golden Temple, popularly known as Harmandir Sahib, early morning is particularly special. It’s a different feeling altogether to be there before the break of dawn and see life buzzing around the Amrit Sarovar, and the temple emanating an unparalleled golden glow. But there is a whole lot more to explore inside the Gurdwara complex. Make sure your experience is a well-rounded one. The Golden Temple Guided Tour by City On Pedals takes you on a full round, covering every inch including the Akal Takht, the Sikh Museum, and the World’s Largest Community Kitchen that offers food to over 100,000 devotees a day.

Early morning view of Golden Temple.

Golden Temple, Amritsar, just before sunrise.

Get a peek into the largest migration in human history at the Partition Museum

The Partition Museum in Amritsar is a landmark, and not just an architectural one. What lies inside isn’t allowed to be photographed, for good reasons. For it is not just another walk down the memory lane but a slow crawl through the tragic events leading up to, during and following, probably the most talked about chapter in the book of Indian history, Partition. Because what lies inside aren’t exactly memoirs but remnants: Newspaper Cuttings, Photographs, Audio-visual Recordings and Testimonies from the survivors. Remnants of a haunting past we’re still trying to climb out of.

Town Hall, Amritsar.

Partition Museum, Amritsar. Also known as Town Hall.

A visit to Jallianwala Bagh

We’ve all heard the story one time too many. Located in the vicinity of the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh is yet another horrifying chapter in Indian history. While the former is an epitome of faith, the latter is a not-so-pleasant lesson in how reckless hate of a few citizens can scar an entire nation. What transpired on the day of April 13, 1919, on the festival of Baisakhi, can still be seen in the bullet holes and the well into which many jumped to avoid facing the unprovoked fire. There’s also the eternal flame, remembering the victims and martyrs of India’s freedom struggle.

Go on a Food Walk

If you are a foodie, that’s great. If you aren’t one, Amritsar will turn you into one at the first whiff of kitchen smoke. There is plenty to try here, from the traditional, famous dhabas in Amritsar to munching street side style. Your platter will always be full. Lubhaya Ram’s Aam Papad ki Chaat, Paanch Paani Golgappe, Kulche at Jamadar ki Haveli, Bharawan da Dhaba,  Kesar da Dhaba, and Makhan’s Fish, these are some of places you should not, should not miss. And a food tour in Amritsar with City On Pedals is a perfect way to treat your taste buds to a party.

Jamadar di haveli kulche.

Kulche served hot at Jamadar di Haveli.

Go on another Food Walk; it is Amritsar, you guys!

If you think it was over, think again. When it comes to food, Amritsar will continue to throw delicious surprises at every corner. Think piping hot pooris straight out of the kadhayi, served with chhole at Vinod di Hatti, Aalu Kulchas at Jass Kulcha, Jalebis at Gurdas Ram Jalebi Wala, and the Punjabi anaesthetic, Gian di Lassi to wash it all down. Some of these places are easy to miss. A street food tour with City On Pedals will make sure that doesn’t happen and that the yummy in your tummy is duly fed for.

Amritsar sweets.

Lohri Special Mithayi. Food Tour, Amritsar.

Go on a Heritage Walk through the Old City

Despite the quite recent urban landscaping, much of Amritsar still thrives with energy and quirks in the back alleys and walkways hidden in plain sight. It is where the old city architecture, the people, and the frenzied bazars, holding secrets of their own, just spring to life. The Amritsar Heritage Walk  with City On Pedals takes you back in time as you make your way deep inside the walled city and explore it in all its exuberance. Qila Ahluwalia, Bangle Bazar, Darshan Deori, Baba Bohar, and Thakurdwara Dariana Mal are some of the many highlights of the tour. Get to taste lip-smacking street food while you’re at it.

Photowalk with City On Pedals

Photowalk with City On Pedals.

Khairuddin Mosque in Amritsar.

Khairuddin Mosque, Amritsar.

Explore the heritage side of Amritsar on a bicycle

How about burning rubber and calories at the same time while you experience the best of Amritsar in terms of both history and food? Amritsar Heritage Bicycle Tour by City On Pedals takes you down the winding lanes, through history and to some of the oldest neighbourhoods inside this walled city. Company Garden, Khairuddin Mosque, Baba Bohr, Town Hall, and Qila Ahluwalia are some of the many highlights of the tour. Do not miss out on tasting street food and other scrumptious items that come your way. You will be cycling, remember? Calories are okay!

Amritsar Bicycle Tour with City On Pedals

Amritsar Bicycle Tour with City On Pedals.

Qila Ahluwalia in Amritsar.

Qila Ahluwalia, Amritsar.

Watch the Beating Retreat Ceremony at Wagah Border

The Beating Retreat Ceremony at Wagah Border, popularly known as the Lowering of Flags Ceremony, is a pompous affair. A chest-thumping display of military orchestration bordering (pun intended) on theatricality. While most will be overcome with patriotism of the highest order, some might find it a little too, for lack of a better word and considering the relations between the two nations, hostile. I belong to the latter category. That being said, the ceremony is worth seeing at least once. You can leave the paperwork and rest of the formalities to City On Pedals and opt for their Wagah Border Tour. Just make sure you are seated an hour before the ceremony begins (5.30 pm in summer and 4.30 pm in winter) or you might miss out altogether. While you’re at it, you can also make a quick visit to Pul Kanjari, a deserted army bunker, and Mata Lal Devi Temple. It’s all included.

Lowering if Flags Ceremony at Wagah Border

Beating Retreat Ceremony, Wagah Border.

Pul Kanjari in Amritsar.

Pul Kanjari, Amritsar. Picture by Lifeoutside2by2 aka Kanika Gupta.

Let me know in the comments how your experience turned out to be in Amritsar. If there are any places you would like me to see the next time around, do let me know. Till then, I’ll leave you with a few pictures. Travel responsibly; travel safe!
amritsar

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Golden Temple Amritsar

Golden Temple Amritsar

Community Kitchen in Golden Temple Complex.

Golden Temple Community Kitchen.

Amritsar at Sunrise.

Amritsar at Sunrise.

Amritsar Town Hall.

Amritsar Heritage Walk.

Bicycle Tour with City On Pedals

All set for the Bicycle Tour with City On Pedals

Amritsar Street Life. He’s 80 and still manages to work with a smile.[/caption]

Pickle Shop in Amritsar.

Don’t be in a pickle. Just pick one.

 

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9 comments

Suchita Jaiswal February 13, 2019 - 5:02 pm

Wonderful. Memories refreshed. Will try those eateries on my next visit. Your writing encourages me to travel more and more. 🙂 Keep writing… Keep encouraging… 🙂

Reply
Mohit Behl February 24, 2019 - 5:27 pm

Thanks a lot, Suchita. Your comments always make my day.

Reply
Deepika Patnaik February 26, 2019 - 7:52 pm

I have been to Amritsar 7 years back. Going through this post was like walking down the memory lane as if it was just yesterday and nothing has changed..Captured exactly as I remember it except for a few I didn’t cover..For next time 🙂

Reply
bhamidi lakshmi sarsawathi May 13, 2019 - 9:15 am

That’s a beautiful insight about the place, am heading today to Amritsar for the first time, could you please help me with the Bycycle tour details?

Reply
Mohit Behl May 13, 2019 - 5:36 pm

Hi. Thank you for reading. Please visit cityonpedals.com for details on Bicycle Tour.

Reply
Rajat Kumar June 26, 2019 - 3:45 pm

After reading this post, I just realized that I need to visit back to this place. missed out many things…

Reply
Mohit Behl June 26, 2019 - 5:23 pm

Oh yes. There is a lot to see apart from the regular tourist circuit. 🙂

Reply
Mamta Chaube April 20, 2022 - 3:08 pm

This is so helpful! Thanks, Mohit. I am always amazed by the work you do. 🙂

Reply
Mohit Behl April 23, 2022 - 4:32 pm

So glad you liked it. <3

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