Visiting the historic city, Amritsar, Golden Temple, Wagah Border, India...

We arrive at Amritsar airport from Kullu. Though it was summer time (monsoon to be precise), we were expecting a hot weather. Low air tickets offered by Alliance air (starting 1365 INR) enticed us in making a trip to Amritsar. We arrived and checked in to our hotel and same evening booked a cab to Wagah border at Rs 1500/-, which picked us from our hotel near Ghee Mandi. The city of Amritsar is set around the majestic Golden Temple, the world’s most important pilgrimage site for Sikhs. But that’s not all: there are plenty of other things to do in Amritsar. Located in the state of Punjab, Amritsar has a mere 2.5 million people. Before we explore the many things to do in Amristar, let’s touch upon the city’s rich history. Over 500 years ago, the land Amristar is built upon was bought for 700 rupees. Guru Amar Das, the fourth Sikh guru, constructed Amritsar around a man-made pool that was to become the Golden Temple. For many years, it was a wealthy city known for music, arts, performance and philosophy, perched at an optimum location for trade. Sadly when the British came to rule, Amritsar was drained of its rich assets. The city crumbled like many in India. Places to visit Jallianwala Bagh - Massacre where the British shot dead hundreds of innocent civilians protesting the Rowlatt act. Durgiana Temple Dedicated to Goddess Durga, this temple is popularly known as Shitla Mandir. Partition museum There is a museum dedicated to partition. The Partition Museum is a public museum located in the town hall of Amritsar, Punjab, India. The museum aims to become the central repository of stories, materials, and documents related to the post-partition riots that followed the division of British India into two independent dominions: India and Pakistan. Entry fee for Indians - Rs 10 and higher for Non Indians You can also take audio tour by paying additional INR 100 Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) is the chief gurdwara, or house of worship, of Sikhism and is the Sikhs' most important pilgrimage site. India Pakistan border - Retreat ceremony Wagah, an army outpost on Indo-Pak border – between Amritsar and Lahore, is an elaborate complex of buildings, roads and barriers on both sides. The lowering of the flags ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border is a daily military practice that the security forces of India (Border Security Force, BSF)