Visited Amritsar from Delhi in a two-day trip. We flew with Indian Airlines at 11.30 Hr, arriving at 13.15 Hr at our destination. Pre-paid taxi to the hotel was 250 INR (a tuk-tuk 50 INR). We stayed one night and left the next day in the evening (1705 Hr) by train back to Delhi (arrival 22.50 Hr). The train ride (Swarna Shatabdi Express) in Chair Car was good, with excellent service and took approx 6 hours (690 INR). The trip was booked through TCI.
TCI
Total cost 6884 INR/ 2 persons.
INDIAN AIRLINES
Ticket cost DEL – ATQ/IC 485: 1425 INR
RAILWAYS
Shatabdi Express leaves Delhi at 16.30 Hr and arrives Amritsar at 2205 Hr. The same train leaves Amritsar at 05.15 Hr and arrives Delhi at 10.50 Hr. A seat in AC Chair car compartment costs 630 INR per person one way.
Swarn Shatabdi Express leaves Delhi at 07.20 Hr and arrives Amritsar at 13.00 Hr. same train leaves Amritsar at 17.05 Hr and arrives Delhi at 22.50 Hr. A seat in AC Chair Car compartment costs 665 INR per person one way.
HOTEL
MK HOTEL
Distt Shopping Centre, Ranjit Avenue
Amritsar
Tel: 0183/504610, 504611
Fax: 0183/507910
E-mail: mkhotel@mol.net.in
www.mkhotels.com
Situated 7 Km from the airport, 3 Km from the railway station and 4 Km from the old city part, the MK hotel is good located. The hotel was nice, with bar and swimming pool. Personnel was friendly and the manager courteous. Try the AK-47 cocktail at the bar!
Rate: 2700 INR for double room with BF
WHAT TO SEE
GOLDEN TEMPLE
Hari Mandir or Swarn Mandir, the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion is located in the center of the old part of Amrisar. The shrine is 40 ½ feet square and rests upon a platform, which is 67 feet square. A pool surrounds the temple itself. The holy tank around the temple is 510 feet square. Standing in the middle of the sacred pool, the Golden Temple is a two storey marble structure reached by a causeway known as the Gurus’ bridge. The lower parts of the marble walls are decorated with inlaid flower and animal motifs in the “pietra dura” style of the Taj Mahal. The architecture of the Golden Temple is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles. The golden dome is supposed to represent an inverted lotus flower, symbolizing the Sikhs’ concern with the problems of the world.
DURGIANA TEMPLE
Hindu shrine, founded by Lala Nathu Mal Rangwala and Guru Sahai Mal in 1921. A bridge was constructed to reach the shrine, adoring the idols of Shri Laxmi Narayan, Radha and Krishna, Sita and Ram.
JALLIANWALA BAGH
Park just a few minutes away from the Golden Temple. On 13 Apr 1919 (Baisakhi Day) at 17.15 Hr, General Reginald Dyer with 475 British and 710 Indian soldiers, stormed this place and massacred more than 1000 unarmed persons in 10 minutes time. 120 bodies were found in the well of the park, where people sought refuge in order to escape the bullets. A section of the wall with bullet marks still visible is preserved. Story of one of the major events on India’s struggle for independence – recreated in the film “Gandhi”. The flame of Liberty was constructed in 1954.
RAM BAGH SUMMER PALACE
The garden was laid by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1819. In the center of the garden, the Maharaja has his summer palace. There is a museum with weapons of the Mughal times.
EXCURSIONS
WAGAH BORDER
From Amritsar there is a possibility to see the flag lowering ceremony at Wagah border, 27 Km from the city.