The Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) is one of the most moving places in India, open to everyone, day and night. Eat in the langar with thousands of others, then try Amritsar’s legendary food.
Highlights
- Golden Temple at dawn and late evening
- Langar: the free community kitchen
- Jallianwala Bagh memorial
- Partition Museum
- Beating Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border
What to eat
- Amritsari kulcha
- Amritsari fish
- Lassi
- Sarson da saag and makki di roti (winter)
Where to stay
Hotels near the Golden Temple heritage street; the temple also offers simple pilgrim lodging.
Getting there
International airport (ATQ) with flights from the Gulf, Europe and Indian cities; fast trains from Delhi.
Tips
- Cover your head and remove shoes at the Golden Temple; scarves are provided.
- Go once at dawn and once at night. They feel completely different.
- Arrive early for the Wagah ceremony; seating fills fast.
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar. See what else is good in October and our best time to visit India guide.
Temples and shrines near Amritsar
- Shri Devi Talab Mandir Goddess Durga (and a Shakti Peetha shrine of Tripurmalini)
- Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib) The holiest gurdwara of Sikhism
- Durgiana Temple Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Narayan
- Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib Gurdwara founded by Guru Arjan Dev, with one of the largest sarovars
- Dera Baba Nanak and the Kartarpur Corridor The visa-free corridor to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan
Places to see in and around Amritsar
15 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Harmandir Sahib Gurdwara, 1 km
- Akal Takht Gurdwara, 1 km
- Jallianwala Bagh Monument, 2 km
- Durgiana Temple Temple, 0 km
- Gurdwara Baba Atal Gurdwara, 2 km
- Partition Museum Museum, 1 km
- Gobindgarh Fort Garden, 1 km
- Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Palace, 1 km
- Ramgarhia bunga Monument, 1 km
- Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib Gurdwara, 20 km
- Ram Teerath Temple, 12 km
- Gurdwara Baba Bakala Sahib Temple, 38 km
- Tomb of Shamsher Khan Monument, 38 km
- Ram Bagh Garden, 1 km
- Central Sikh Museum Museum, 1 km
Food to try in and around Amritsar
Named after Amritsar: Amritsari kulcha. The rest are Punjab favourites.
- Amritsari kulcha
- Sarson da saag
- Makki di roti
- Chhole bhature
- Dal makhani
- Lassi
- Gajar ka halwa
- Pakoras
- Rasmalai
- Masala chai
- Basmati Rice GI: rice or grain
The full food passport, state by state.
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