A culture vulture’s guide to Amritsar

Amritsar can be found in the north-west of Punjab, in the Majha region. This historic city is a cultural hub, calling visitors from all over the country to sightsee and explore the unique buildings, structures, museums, monuments, and temples. If you’re interested in learning more about the cultural heritage of the region, there’s plenty to discover and a whole host of things to do. Keep reading to find out what cultural sites await you in Amritsar.

The Golden Temple

By far the top cultural attraction in Amritsar is The Golden Temple, also called the Sri Harmandir Sahib. This stunning Sikh building is the centerpiece of the city and is one of the most architecturally beautiful religious buildings in the world, even rivalling the Golden Mountain, or Wat Saket in Bangkok. The temple is, of course, covered in gold and sits on the Amritsar water, like a stunning mirage for all to see. Built in the 16th century, this place of worship is the highlight of any trip to Amritsar and is a must-see for culture vultures.

Jallianwala Bagh

If you’ve come to immerse yourself in the culture, Jallianwala Bagh has got to be on your list, though the garden does come with a dark past. The beautiful greenery here was once the setting of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that took place in 1919, where peaceful protesters were trapped inside the garden and killed by the British Indian army. Today, there is a museum to commemorate the victims and you can walk through the garden to get a better understanding of these tragic events. This may be a difficult place to visit, but it’s an important part of both Amritsar and India’s history.

The Durgiana Temple

The Durgiana Temple has a close resemblance to The Golden Temple, as it’s set on the water and has a beautiful golden exterior. It’s a breath-taking building of both cultural and religious importance and even if you’re not religious yourself, it’s a top spot to see during any visit to Amritsar. The Durgiana Temple is a place of worship for the Hindu religion, with both Vishnu and the Goddess Lakshmi being worshipped here.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum

This museum is named after the leader of the Sikh emperor in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. If you’re not familiar with the region, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum is a fantastic cultural hotspot to learn more about Amritsar’s heritage and the emperor famed for uniting the Sikh kingdoms. You can wander through the halls, taking in the historical artefacts, artwork, and armour.

Mata Lal Devi Temple

There are a lot of temples in Amritsar, but one that stands out from the rest is the Mata Lal Devi. This temple is considered to be terrific fun, with technicolored walls, stunning shrines, tunnels, caves and beautiful decorations. The temple definitely has its own personality and is a spiritual haven for those journeying in Amritsar. Visiting several different types of temples on your visit will help you understand Amritsar’s heritage and cultural aspects more clearly. Come to pray or just to enjoy the fantastically rich colours.

I hope this helps with your holiday planning. Let me know if I’ve missed any of your favourite spots in
the comments below.

Disclaimer: This is a guest post.

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