Amritsar 2 nights & 3days Itinerary

Sri Harmandir Sahib, Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Shri Durgiana Temple, Wagah border

Published on 2021-11-19

Holy city of Punjab - Amritsar

Holy city of Punjab - Amritsar

Destination

pilgrimage

Best time to visit

September to March

  • Amritsar, the city synonymous with the holy Golden Temple and rich cultural heritage, remains one of the most popular destinations in Punjab, both for devotees as well as tourists.
  • It is a major cultural, commercial, and transportation centre, not the least because of its proximity to Pakistan, the international border being just 28 km away.
  • The holiest shrine of Sikhism, Harmandir Sahib, or Golden Temple, serves as a major tourist attraction and centre of spirituality.
  • Starting with Guru Ka Langar & Karah Prasad, Amritsar is a haven for foodies too, who can savour a huge spread of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, along with delicious sweets dripping with ghee.
  • Apart from sightseeing and food, Amritsar is known for being a gateway to the Attari border and you can also purchase souvenirs like the famous Amritsari wadiyan and papad as well as the coveted Punjabi juttis. 

How to Reach Amristar?

  • Railhead – Amritsar Railway Junction has numerous trains available, providing adequate connectivity to all the major cities of India.
  • Bus – Several tour operators run buses between Delhi and Amritsar. Options available include Deluxe, Non-Deluxe, A.C. & non A.C buses.
  • Airport – Just 13 Km away from Golden Temple is the “Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport” or Raja Sansi Airport, which runs national and international flights to the holy city from major destinations in India and abroad. 

Highlights

  • Amritsar is identified as a spiritual city and its landmark is the Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib, which is the first stop of any tourist.
  • Food is the second-best thing to explore in Amritsar. From lassi to Kulche-Chhole, Grilled fish to Dal Makhni, Tandoori chicken to Tandoori Naan, the savoriness of the local food is worth putting on a few extra kilos.
  • The sweets of Amritsar include the legendary Pinni, Peda, Besan Laddoo, Jalebi, etc and shops across the city sell these delicious sweetmeats, fresh out of the pan!
  • The Jallianwala Bagh Memorial, a short walk from the Golden Temple, was erected to commemorate the inhuman Amritsar massacre of April 13, 1919. A visit to this place is a must! No trip to Amritsar can be complete without a visit to Attari Border Crossing (known as Wagah on the Pakistan side), 29 km from the main city. Thousands of people gather here every day, to watch the “Lowering of the Flags” ceremony.
  • Amritsar city is a shopper’s paradise with several markets selling Phulkari embroidered textiles, Papad, handicrafts, Juttis, etc.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh Visit & Food Exploration

Find yourself a hotel closer to the Golden Temple, because it will keep you close to the city centre and allow you to explore around easily on foot. 

One can stay in the City Park Hotel, with a tariff of Rs 3000 per night. The best part of this hotel is that it is just 100 m from Jallianwala Bagh & 500 m from the Golden Temple. Our overall stay here was comfortable. 
Explore More Hotels in Amritsar

Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) – This is the holiest place for the Sikh community. Lovingly known as the “Darbar Sahib” is adorned with gold work and its beautiful architecture exhibits rare craftsmanship.

Located in the middle of the sacred pool called the “Amrit Sarovar”, it is mandatory to take a dip in it before entering the inner sanctum.

At the Golden Temple, you can partake in the Langar (community kitchen) 24×7. Keep aside 2- 3 hours (more during peak time or on special occasions) for your gurudwara visit. 

Sri Harmandir Sahib
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Sri Harmandir Sahib

Explore the street food near the Golden Temple 

Lunch options near Golden Temple

  • Marwari Dhaba – This place is the right choice if you want homely food that is light on the stomach.
  • Bharawan da dhaba – An iconic eatery from the pre-Independence era, it is famous for rich Punjabi dishes like Dal Makhani and buttery naans. 
Gurdasram Jalebiwala
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Gurdasram Jalebiwala

Jallianwala Bagh – This is a historic landmark, spread over 6-7 acres. However, its brutal past is signified only by the massacre of more than 1500 people on April 13, 1919, a Baisakhi day.

Guru Gobind Garh Fort -  This historic military fort located in the city centre was renamed after the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. After being occupied by the Indian Armed Forces for years, it was opened for the public in February 2017. Today it is a major tourist spot. Some of the highlights of this place are – 

You need to buy tickets to enjoy all the activities inside the fort. 

  • Whispering Walls – There is a light & sound show projected onto a 100 ft high Fort Wall.
  • Wax Museum – This museum houses wax statues of the renowned warriors of Sikh history.
  • A 7-D show showcases the life history of the brave Maharaja Ranjit Singh.  You can also relish traditional Punjabi food on the premises. 
Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar
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Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar

Overnight Stay at Amritsar 

Day 2 - Wagah Border, Temple Visit & Food Exploration

Breakfast Options

  • Kanha Sweets – Famous for its Chhole Poori.
  • Novelty Sweets – Another shop famous for Chhole Poori.
  • Bhai Kulwant Kulchian Wala – The shop, at walking distance from the Golden Temple, is known for its stuffed Kulcha. (You might need to wait for your turn to come). 
Breakfast at Novelty
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Breakfast at Novelty

Shri Durgiana Temple – This temple is located about 2 km from the Golden Temple and it has two major attractions – 

The statue of Lord Hanuman is in a resting position. There is a tree in the temple premises, 
which is believed to be the one to which Luv & Kush had tied Hanuman Ji. 

There is also a Sheetala Mata Mandir, a Siddha Peeth, inside the temple, where it is believed that one gets healed of chickenpox due to divine intervention. 

Original temple is believed to be built in 16th Century
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Original temple is believed to be built in 16th Century

Mata Lal Devi Mandir – It is also known as “Rani Ka Bagh” or “Vaishno Devi Mandir” among the locals, This temple is located in the Model town locality of Amritsar. It is dedicated to Saint Mata Lal Devi.

The temple is popular among devotees because it is home to miniature forms of different renowned temples of the country like the Vaishno Devi shrine, 12 Jyotirlingas, etc. 

Wagah border: – Visiting this border outpost is a lifetime experience. The Retreat Ceremony organized here, between India and Pakistan, lasts about 30 minutes but tourists start assembling for it hours ago. It will take you about an hour to reach the Wagah border from Amritsar. 

To reach the Wagah border, you can reach Townhall, about 700 m from Golden Temple. From there you can board a bus after pre-booking your seat or you can also opt for a private taxi or a shared auto-rickshaw. All the rates are for a round trip.

Retreat Ceremony is conducted by BSF on Indian side & Rangers on Pakistan's side
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Retreat Ceremony is conducted by BSF on Indian side & Rangers on Pakistan's side

Dinner options

  • Balle Balle Dhaba – This Dhaba is en route to Amritsar from Wagah Border. You can relish traditional Punjabi vegetarian food here.
  • Kesar Da Dhaba – An iconic eatery, their dal makhani takes 12-14 hours to cook.
  • Crystal Restaurant – This is a fine-dining restaurant known to serve delicious fare.
  • Charming Chicken – Their speciality is delectable butter chicken but they also serve tasty options in vegetarian food. 

Overnight Stay at Amritsar 

Day 3 - Local Sightseeing & Food Exploration in Amritsar

Breakfast Options - There is no dearth of delicious breakfast options in the city

All India Famous Kulcha – They serve amazing kulchas, along with tasty chhole & chutney. The outlet is located 4 km away from Amritsar Railway Station. 
Giani Tea Stall – Go there for scrumptious kachori breakfast with their famous Special Tea.
Hansraj Choleyan Wala – Mathhi Chole – Located on Majitha Road, 4 km from the railway station, their unique breakfast of deep-fried, rich Mathhi with spicy chhole, is a must-have. 

Shri Ram Tirath – This place is believed to be a part of the fabled Valmiki ashram, where Mata Sita spent her years in exile after being banished from Ayodhya.

The twins of Lord Ram and Mata Sita, Luv and Kush, are believed to have studied here under the guidance of Guru Valmiki Ji. Another must-visit place is located 6 km away from the Golden Temple. 

Located at 6 km distance from Golden Temple
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Located at 6 km distance from Golden Temple

Punjabi Lassi – You cannot leave Amritsar without enjoying the delicious thick lassi served at several outlets across the city. However, two of the best lassi drinks in Amritsar are served at –

  • Ahuja Milk Bhandar – Super delicious Lassi! Their Kesar (saffron) lassi is to die for.
  • Giani Lassi – Another good option if you want to enjoy traditional Amritsari Lassi. This place is located just 1.5 km from the Golden Temple. 

Return to your base location. 

Things to Buy/Shopping

  • Amritsar is famous for keeping up with history and traditional culture. Therefore, it is some of the most traditional things that you can take away with you from here –
  • Punjabi Jutti – Check out Punjabi jutti (traditional footwear), when in Amritsar. These Juttis are made of leather with a cardboard sole. The artistic embroidery and embellishments made these juttis a ladies’ favourite, though men can also pair these juttis with their jeans or kurta pyjama.
  • Phulkari – Traditional Punjabi embroidery technique, Phulkari, is brought alive on dress material, dupattas and sarees & Amritsar is a huge market, both wholesale and retail, where you can get amazing Phulkari items at reasonable prices.
  • Papad Wadiyan Bazaar – Amritsar is well-known for spicy Papad and Wadiyan, both made of various pulses and foodgrains, etc as well as a lot of spices too. There is a special lane dedicated to about 30+ shops selling papad and wadiyan and it is known as “Papad Wadiyan Bazaar.” The best thing is that this lane is located just behind the Golden Temple.

Suggestions & Recommendations

  • If you come to Amritsar in your own vehicle, you may face a problem with parking, especially in hotels near Golden Temple. Always check with the hotel in advance about parking space. You can book a Hop-on-Hop-Off bus service to do local sightseeing in Amritsar. It offers two types of packages –
    • An 8-hour service where the bus departs at 10 am daily and takes you around the top sightseeing spots.
    • A 5-hour bus service, which departs every day at 1 pm and takes you only to the Wagah Border.
    • For more information, you can visit the website – amritsardekho
  • Amritsar offers accommodations suitable to all types of needs between budget and premium. You can also find Sarai accommodation at nominal rates in the vicinity of the Golden Temple. The benefit of staying close to the Darbar Sahib is that you can explore the market on foot, enjoy the street food within walking distance or just roam around to soak in the ambience.