How to Reach Amritsar

How to Reach Amritsar

By Air:

Amritsar's international airport, Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, has more than 200 domestic and international flights during the week with daily connections to Delhi, Chandigarh and Jammu in India and international flights to Tehraan, Frankfurt (Mahan Air), Doha Qatar Airways,Ashgabat Turkmenistan Airlines,Tashkent Uzbekistan Airways.

By Rail:

Amritsar is well connected with daily trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Indore, Bhopal, Agra, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh and other major Indian cities. Amritsar Railway Station is the main terminal station. There is a special train that runs west to Wagah (Attari Border), which is the last station on the border in India before continuing on to Pakistan.

Indian Railways has proposed a high speed rail line to serve Delhi-Amritsar via Chandigarh and Ambala. The train is to run at high speeds of 350 km/h, second only in India to the Bhopal Shatabdi Express. It will travel the 445 km between the two cities in 2.5 hours (compared to the current time of 5 hours). Companies from Japan, China, UK and Canada have expressed an interest in the project. The contract for building the line were to be awarded at the end of May 2008. Other lines of this kind have proposed in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Kolkata.

By Road:

Amritsar is located on the historic Grand Trunk Road (G.T Road), also known as National Highway 1, and therefore very well connected to the road network. Daily bus services run to and from Ambala, Delhi, Chandigarh and Jammu. Rs 450 crores is being spent to expand the Amritsar-Jalandhar stretch of G.T. Road to four lanes. In 2010, elevated road with four lanes connected to the National highway for better access to the Golden Temple has been started.

For transportation within Amritsar city, rickshaws, autorickshaws, taxis and buses are easily available. Recently, the government of India and Punjab pledged Rs. 2,100 crore for the development of a mass rapid transport system for the city.[citation needed] It is hoped that this will help relieve traffic congestion and improve air quality.

Places to Visit in Amritsar

Harmandir Sahib - Golden Temple

The Harmandir Sahib also Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the Golden Temple, is a prominent Sikh gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab (India). Construction of the gurdwara was begun by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, and completed by his successor, Guru Arjan Dev. In 1604, Guru Arjan Dev completed the Adi Granth, the holy scripture of Sikhism, and installed it in the Gurdwara. In 1634, Guru Hargobind left Amritsar for the Shivalik Hills and for the remainder of the seventeenth century the city and gurdwara was in the hands of forces hostile to the Sikh Gurus. During the eighteenth century, the Harmandir Sahib was the site of frequent fighting between the Sikhs on one side and either Mughal or Afghan forces on the other side and the gurdwara occasionally suffered damage. In the early nineteenth century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh secured the Punjab region from outside attack and covered the upper floors of the gurdwara with gold, which gives it its distinctive appearance and English name of "Golden Temple".

Located in Amritsar, Harmandir Sahib is considered holy by Sikhs because the eternal guru of Sikhism, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, is always present inside it and its construction was mainly intended to build a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religion to come and worship God equally. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the holiest literature in the Sikh religion, the tenth guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh, in 1708 at Nanded made it the eternal Sikh Guru and the leader of Sikhism. Anywhere in the world where the Guru Granth Sahib is present is equally holy and precious to Sikhs.

Its name literally means Temple of God.The fourth guru of Sikhism, Guru Ram Das, excavated a tank in 1577 CE which subsequently became known as Amritsar (meaning "Pool of the Nectar of Immortality"), giving its name to the city that grew around it. In due course, a splendid Sikh edifice, Harmandir Sahib (meaning "the abode of God"), rose in the middle of this tank and became the supreme centre of Sikhism. Its sanctum came to house the Adi Granth comprising compositions of Sikh gurus and other saints considered to have Sikh values and philosophies, e.g., Baba Farid, and Kabir. The compilation of the Adi Granth was started by the fifth guru of Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev.

Jallianwala Bagh

Jallianwala Bagh is a public garden in Amritsar in the Punjab province of India, and houses a memorial of national importance, established in 1951 to commemorate the murder of peaceful celebrators on the occasion of the Punjabi New Year on April 13, 1919 in the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. Official British Raj sources placed the fatalities at 379, and with 1100 wounded. Civil Surgeon Dr. Smith indicated that there were 1,526 casualties. The true figures of fatalities are unknown, but are likely to be higher than the official figure of 379.

The 6.5-acre (26,000 m2) garden site of the massacre is located in the vicinity of Golden Temple complex, the holiest shrine of Sikhism.

The memorial is managed by the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust, which was established as per the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act passed by the Government of India in 1951.

Wagah Border

Wagah is the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan, and lies on the Grand Trunk Road between the cities of Amritsar, India and Lahore, Pakistan. Wagah itself is a village through which the controversial Radcliffe Line was drawn. The village was divided by independence in 1947. Today, the eastern half of the village remains in the Republic of India while the western half is in Pakistan.

The Wagah border, often called the "Berlin wall of Asia", is a ceremonial border on the India–Pakistan Border where each evening there is a retreat ceremony called 'lowering of the flags', which has been held since 1959. At that time there is an energetic parade by the Border Security Force (B.S.F) of India and the Pakistan Rangers soldiers. It may appear slightly aggressive and even hostile to foreigners but in fact the paraders are imitating the pride and anger of a Cockerel. Troops of each country put on a show in their uniforms with their colorful turbans. Border officials from the two countries sometimes walk over to the offices on the other side for day to day affairs. The happenings at this border post have been a barometer of the India-Pakistan relations over the years.

Samjhauta Express, the train service between Lahore and Delhi, plies twice a week from Attari railway station, 5 km from Wagah. The National Highway of India starts from Wagah Border, and is the transit point for the Delhi–Lahore Bus service operating within the Punjab between Amritsar and Lahore, which was started in 2004 as relations between the two countries improved.

Best Time to Visit Amritsar

Best time to visit Amritsar is in the winter, between October and March.

Amritsar Map

Amritsar Photos

Famous and best food joints in Amritsar

Famous and best food joints in Amritsar

Kesar Da Dhaba

Address: Chowk Passian, Near Telephone Exchange, Amritsar Cantt., Punjab 143006

Phone:098155 76117

Hours: Open today · 12:30 am – 5:30 pm, 6:00 – 11:00 pm

Long running Punjabi curry house known for its thalis and favoured by celebrities and politicians

Makhan Fish & Chicken Corner

Address: # 21A,Near Madan Hospital,Majitha Road, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 Phone:098151 93241 Hours:  Open today · 12:00 pm – 12:00 am	Website Directions

Indian and Chinese plates fixed up in modest surrounds with a separate bar for wine and cocktails.

 

Surjit Food Plaza

3.513 Google reviews Family Restaurant
Address: No 3-4, Ground Floor, Nehru Shopping Complex, Lawrence Road, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 Phone:0183 329 4334 Hours:  Open today · 11:00 am – 11:00 pm

Sarhad

4.212 Google reviews Restaurant
Address: Wagah Border, National Highway 1, Amritsar, Punjab 143108 Phone:0183 238 2000 Hours:  Open today · 11:30 am – 10:30 pm	Website Directions

Kanha Sweet

4.16 Google reviews Restaurant
Address: Dayanand Nagar, Amritsar, Punjab 143001

Kulcha Land To Amritsar

3.19 Google reviews Dhaba
Address: Circular Road, Medical Enclave, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 Phone:098143 20652 Hours:  Open today · 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Giani Tea Stall

4.17 Google reviews Tea House
Address: Cooper Rd, Company Bagh, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 Phone:099144 44416

Moti Mahal Delux

Restaurant
Address: B - Block, Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 Phone:0183 500 2222 Hours:  Open today · 11:30 am – 11:30 pm

NOVELTY SWEETS

4.327 Google reviews Asian Restaurant
Address: M.M Malviya Rd, Joshi Colony, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 Phone:098723 94444

Gurudas Ram Jalebiwala: And of course, last but not the least – how can we forget the sweet tooth? At any time of the day, land up here to taste the fresh jalebis which emerge crisp and golden from a kadai of pure ghee. Most likely, it will beat any previous encounter with this humble sweet. Also not to be missed is his famed gulab jamun.
Katra Ahluwalia

Friends Dhaba for their keema naan with butter and gravy (Rs 90; 210 Queens Road). The keema naan on its own is delicious but dunk it in that gravy and you are awed into silence.

 Surjan Singh(Chowk Regent Cinema) and Ahuja Sweets (Dhab Khatikan). Neither of these places sells any gimmicky flavours, just a tall glass of plain sweet lassi topped with fresh cream (Rs 25 at both). For the strong hearted, Surjan Singh also serves his lassi with fresh white butter (proved a little too much for us namby-pamby city dwellers). Ahuja Sweets also makes one of the best phirnis in town

 Rana. The frozen variety you get next door or at Durga and Sukh Ram (aka Pehelwan’s) on Lawrence Road are all equally good. The obsession for dairy isn’t only limited to sweets. Paneer is clearly a favourite in Punjab and Amritsar is no exception. For the ultimate paneer indulgence, try the paneer bhurji with bread at Pyara Lal (Telephone Exchange), more like a pao bhaji than a dry bhurji (Rs 75 for a generous portion).

Khubi Ram’s Sweets (Katra Ahluwalia). Though I was recommended the moong dal and besan burfis, which certainly weren’t bad, what made me moan in pleasure were the chandrakala, sooji ka halwa and patisa (Rs 90 for a portion of each, burfis included). Chandrakala is basically fried pastry dough stuffed withkoha (cooked and thickened milk pas

Gurdas Ram Jalebi Wala (Rs 10; Katra Ahluwalia). Or to Sharma Sweets (Rs 10), if you’re in the Lawrence Road area. There are two Sharma’s; this doppelgänger dilemma is something you will face for every renowned shop in Amritsar. There is a way to tell them apart, I found — the real McCoy will usually have the number of years it’s been in operation written somewhere on the shopfront. Now both Sharma’s make equally good jalebis but the original one on the right also makes to-die-for gulab jamuns (Rs 10). So take your pick

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Amritsar

Amritsar is a foodie’s paradise. There are many places to explore and best food can be found at road-side joints, many of which go without name. Here is the list of Best Restaurant and joints of Amritsar.

Amritsari Fish

·         Pehelwan Fish Shop (outside hall gate Shops – corner shop; 98728-73912 / 98142-34620)

Note: Once popular Makhan fish shop has now become more of a drinking place and hardly sells the same quality he was once known for.

Lassi

·         Ahuja’s ki Kesar wali lassi (Near Hindu college Amritsar). Try Masala Tofu too.

Amritsari Kulcha

·         Ashok Kulchewala – (A-Block, Ranjit Avanue Market, Amritsar)

·         Kulche wala (Triangular Area, Tin nukri, Near Such Sagar hospital, Maqbool road) ( Starts 10A.M)

Amritsari chane/ Choley Matthi/ Bheega Kulcha

·         Shop no. 9 (Basant Avenue market, Amritsar)

·         Cholle wala, (Majitha road and circular road)

·         Hans Raj cholle wala (Gopal Nagar, Amritsar)

Special Paneer Bhurji

·         Shri Pyara Lal (Karmon Gali, Katra Jaimal Singh market, Hall bazaar Amritsar; 97803-61240/ 78372-05927)

·         Paneer Bhurji wala (main road Near Nayyar Hospital, opp Archies Gallery)

Chana bhatura and Nutree Kulcha

·         Sabree’s (Queen’s Road ,Opp. Friend’s Dhaba; 98786-22257/ 98766-82786)

Mutton Curry

·         Bhai saab meat shop (Near Sultanwind gate)

Punjabi Dhaba’s

·         Bade Bhai ka Brother’s Dhaba (town hall, hall bazaar) for Veg Punjabi Food. Thali is a must try

·         Joginder ka Dhaba (Opposite Railway Station , GT road) for Palak mutton and Naan

·         Kesar ka Dhaba (near loh garh gate) For Maah ki Dal and Parantha … only if u don’t mind lots and lots of ghee

·         Pal da Dhaba and Chache da Dhaba (Inside Hathi gate Amritsar) for Keema Kaleji, Mutton Kharoda, Mutton Curry, Chicken Curry, Tikke, Magaz

Poori

·         Munim di hatti (Lawrence road Amritsar) for Poori, Malpua and phirni.

·         Kanha Sweets for Poori, Gur ka Halwa

Samosa and Kachori

·         New Munim di Hatti (Lawerence road, Amritsar)

Omelette and Tea

·         Giani Tea Stall (Near Bhandari Bridge) for Half fried egg and tea

Bakery

·         BlueBakers (near govt. Medical college)

·         Bansal Bakers (Lawerence road)

·         Popular Bakery (Queen’s road) for veg and non-veg patties

Chaat

·         Bikaner wale (Hall bazaar Amritsar)

·         Brijwasi chat wala (Near bhandari bridge and Ranjit Avenue C-block market)

Grilled or Roasted chicken

·         Mani chicken corner (Opp. Madan Hospital, Circular Road)

Global Cuisines

·         Italian: Country Inn (Queens Road)

·         Indo-Chinese: Crystal Restaurant, Crystal Chowk

Raw Dairy Products

·         Sharma Dairy (corner shop, near drain Fatehgarh churian road) for milk, curd, pure Desi Ghee and cheese

Raw Mutton

·         Joginder meat shop (near Spring Dale senior school, Fateh garh churian road)

·         Ahmed Meat shop (Ram Bagh Market)

Raw Fish

·         Makhan fish shop (macchi mandi)

·         Banarsi fish shop (macchi mandi)

 Amritsar is full of foodie joints. there are many many others like –next to novelty sweets lawrence road-paneer bhajia wala, since 55 years same shop same standard , same taste, same service. the best paneer bhajia, methi wada, pattor . owner down to earth.
then lohgarh gate inside ram ke samosas. selling in thousands per day. near bhandari bridge, pakode wala since 60/ 70 years, selling in tons per day. durgiana mandir ki puri.bakewell ki bakery cheese straw. then kanha ke moong daal ke laddo. parde wale samosa , only amritsar can make these in the world.
pickles and sharbat from bal mukand . sandal sharbat most relishing. then murabba–aam ka–apple ka–gajar ka. no one to beat them.
the best part is -there are thousands shops selling channa( chole) and each has different recipe.