There is one such place, one such city that is equally or perhaps dearer to oneself than their own residential city. For me, Amritsar is one such town. I first travelled to Amritsar back in 2006. Well, I was a kid back then and didn’t fully enjoy myself. I visited Amritsar a couple of years back in regards to some work and I haven’t stopped thinking about that place. I felt solace in the hustle bustle of the town. There was something in the air that made me feel more dearer, more at home. After that, without any regrets or shame, I visit the Holy City atleast once a year. In this year, owing to several different occasions I visited Amritsar thrice. I’ve been there so many times that I can easily complete a mini tour of the city in less than 24 hours.Here are the different places you can visit while your stay at Amritsar.


1. The Golden Temple
The locals also call the temple Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is the holiest Gurudwara and the most important pilgrimage site of the Sikhs. The main temple is located in the middle of a maan sarovar (a manmade pond). The complex has 4 entrances resembling the 4 main cardinal directions. The complex also contains a Clock Tower,the offices if the Gurudwara Committee, a Museum and a Langar (a Sikh Community run kitchen that serves a free vegetarian simple meal to all the visitors).


2. Jallianwala Bagh
A few minutes of walking from the Golden Temple comes the Jallianwala Bagh. The Bagh is famous for the historic massacre that took place in 1919. The garden turned memorial site is still at the original location.


3. Partition Museum
Further walking a few minutes ahead of the Bagh, you come across the Partition Museum. First started off as a small viewing shop by the owners, slowly and steadily owing to the contributions of the other partition survivors, it is a world in its own. The entry fee for Indians is Rs. 10/-. One takes a minimum of 45 minutes to explore the Museum in Its Totality .

4. The market near the Golden Temple
A 1 km long stretch of starting from the Golden Temple extending till the Partition Museum. Vendors selling variety of products right from earrings to beautiful fabrics. Its like a one stop shopping place. The other places to visit are Wagha Border ( Also known as the Attari Border). Usually I go to Amritsar only for a night to take a break from the hustle bustle of daily life. This is mostly the way in which I spend my day at Amritsar. After dropping my stuff at the hotel, I head straight towards the partition museum. After gaining more knowledge about the blood stained separation, I visit the Jallianwala Bagh and spend some time to take in the sights. I roam around in the market area shopping and spend some time by myself till dusk. After which I head on to the Golden Temple and pay my respects.

For dinner, I go to my most favourite diner, Kesar Da Dhaba,a 100 year old place. The tables there an on a sharing basis. My regular order contains Aloo Prantha Thali.

On my way back to the hotel, I visit the Golden Temple again and sit in the compound peacefully taking in the solace and serenity that the small town has to offer.