In the 16th century, the fourth Guru of the Sikh community, Guru Ramdas
settled down by a pool with miraculous healing powers and that was the
founding of Amritsar city which means "Sweet" (Amrit) Lake (Sar). His son
built a temple in the midst of the pool, now known as the Golden Temple. The
city is most famous for the festival Baisakhi which is also known as the
Harvest Festival and is celebrated in April. It is also the day when the
Khalsa Panth was founded by Guru Gobind Singh, converting the Sikhs into a
martial race.
(Distance from the Airport 11 Kms, Approx time 15 Mins.)
Places of Interest:
The Golden Temple - Also known as Hari Mandir, is the most important shrine of
the Sikhs. The glittering domes of the temple, covered with 480kgs of pure
gold leaf are reflected in the pool in front of the temple
Durgiana Temple - This temple is a place of pilgrimage for the Hindus. The
domes of this temple are also covered with gold and silver.
Jailanwala Bagh - This is where on 13th April 1919 the British General Dyer
fired on an unarmed crowd gathered for Baisakhi and killed 399 people an
injured over 1200. Today a stone memorial stands in silent remembrance