Amrtisar, Punjab, India

Overview:

The name of the city is derieved from Sanskrit: Amrta-sarovar = "Lake of Nectar". It is home to the Golden Temple, the spiritual and cultural centre of the Sikh Religion. Located in the Norhtwest region of Punjab, India - Amritsar is a mere 32 miles east of Lahore.The main commercial activities include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades and light engineering.


Population: Just over 1,000,000.

Climate: During the winter season (November to March) where temperatures ranges from 18 °C to about -3 °C, the hot season (April to June) where temperatures can reach 46 °C , monsoon season (July to September) and post-monsoon (September to November).

Main Language(s): Punjabi is the dominant language with English, Hindi and Urdu being widely spoken too.

Phone Area Code: +0183

Best Time To Visit: You can visit Amritsar anytime of the year, however post monsoons is considered to be the best time to visit the place.

Places To Visit:

The Golden Temple: The Golden Temple also known as the Harminder Sahib is a famous Sikh Shrine in Amritsar. There are various other Gurudwaras you could pay your respects to. However, make sure you are dressed appropriately to go to a religious place. Men too may need to cover their hair. If you are visiting during the month of April, dont' miss the Baisakhi festival on April 13th.

The Jalianwala Bagh: The historical garden near the Golden Temple where British General Dier had brutally killed thousands of Indians attending a peaceful gathering to demand freedom from the British Empire. The garden is covered by high walls and there was no escape route fro the attendees. A several hundered of women and children died because they chose to jump alive in wells than getting hit by the bullets.

Wagha Border: The India-Pakistan border which in the town of Wagha about 30 kilometers from India. You can see the gate closing ceremony in the evening from both sides.