Introduction
Amritsar district is one of the 19 districts in the state of Punjab, which is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. Amritsar district derives its name from the Amrit Sarovar, the holy tank that surrounds the world famous Golden Temple. In fact the Amritsar district stands head and shoulders above any other city in the state of Punjab and its status is elevated and sanctified by the presence of the venerable Golden temple.
Amritsar is a popular city of the state of Punjab. This city is reportedly very close to the country`s western part of the country`s border along Pakistan. Amritsar, holy city of the Sikhs, was founded in the year 1579 by Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru. The origin of its name is from a sacred tank, `The Ocean of the Nectar`, by which the famous Golden Temple was built. As the name of the pool implies, it is a very sacred temple and hold religious significance in the Sikh religion.
History of Amritsar District
History of Amritsar District suggests the origin of the name of this district. It states that Amritsar, literally a Pool of Nectar, derives its name from Amrit Sarovar, the holy tank that surrounds the Golden Temple. However, the history of Amritsar District is not very clear and is vague. Thus, on the development of the city, the generally accepted view is based on Amritsar District Gazetteers, the authoritative works of reference on local history.
The various opinions about the origin of this land are all based upon traditions. Legends suggest that the land was granted by Akbar, Mughal Emperor to Guru Amar Das. Other opinions suggest that it was acquired by Guru Ram Das before the grant was actually obtained. There are no documentary evidences to support or contradict these views. But the version regarding the purchase of the land by Guru Ram Das is in keeping with the tradition of Sikh Gurus who never took any land grants from the rulers. It seems that originally the site of Amritsar was a community land lying between the village of Sultanwind, Tung, Gumtala and Gilwali, and later it was acquired by the Sikh Gurus either on payment or was received by them free of cost. Opinions may vary on the question of acquisition of the site, but it is certain that the selection of the site was planned and not accidental. It was the choice of the Gurus themselves, and the site of Amritsar was revenue free land.
History of Amritsar District comprises talks about the early period of its origin. It has been established that whole of Amritsar District was a part of the vast area covered under Indus valley Civilization during the early period of history. This civilization developed prior to Aryans civilization in this region. These evidences for the prevalence of this ancient civilization in this district of Punjab have been furnished by the discovery of certain sites by the archaeologist. The important sites pertaining to Indus valley civilization in Amritsar District are Vadalol, Chhina, Gharinda and Har. During the Vedic period, the area now belonging to Amritsar District is believed to be the abode of many Saints and Sages. The area of Amritsar District also came under the Greek influence in around 326 BC, and later on, it became part of Maurya Empire and Gupta Empire.
Medieval period of the history of Amritsar District states that during the last quarter of 10th century AD, Raja Jaipal of Shahi Dynasty ruled over Punjab including the present area of Amritsar District. During the medieval period, the people of Amritsar District were influenced much by the teachings of the Sikh Gurus who were contemporaries of the Mughal rulers. Before the people of Amritsar district came under the benign influence of the Sikh Gurus, there were no big cities or towns in this district. The impact of the Sikh Gurus on the people of Amritsar District was huge.
Geography of Amritsar District
Amritsar district experiences an extreme type of climate with very hot summer months and winters, which are extremely cold. The region has four seasons, namely winter, summer, monsoon and post-monsoon. Amritsar district offers a host of tourist attractions, which are both of religious and historical importance. The Golden temple is the most visited tourist attraction of Amritsar district followed by Jalianwala Bagh, a memorial of the martyrs of the massacre by the British General Dyer in the year 1919. Then there is the Durgiana Mandir, which a beautiful shrine dedicated to Goddess Durga. The Baba Rai Tower is another popular tourist spot and it is here that one of the Gurus of the Sikhs called Guru Hargobind Singh breathed his last. This nine-storied building is believed to be an important landmark of this place. The Indo-Pakistan border also known as the Wagah border is just 28 kilometers. It is here where thousands of tourists throng to see the ceremony of flag hoisting and the change of guards ceremony by the border security forces of both the countries. The other attractions of the Amritsar district include Amanat Khan Serai, Baba Bakala and Dharamshala.
Culture of Amritsar District
Culture of Amritsar District is vibrant and colourful. It is said that the city of Amritsar a dazzling showcase of composite culture and secular heritage. It has a proud past, a glorious present and a promising future. This city is called the mukut-mani (Jewel of the crown) of Punjab. A rich repository of spiritual and national heritage, it has been hailed as the home of all virtues (sifti da ghar).
Fairs and festivals form an integral part of the culture of Amritsar District. Festivals celebrated here are a wonderful prism of social, moral, religious and patriotic values. People of this district celebrate all the Gurpurbs, Diwali, Baisakhi, Holi, Karva Chauth, Teej festival, Ram Tirath Mela, Vasant Panchami Langoor Mela at Durgiana and more. Vasant Panchami is celebrated with great enthusiasm at Gurudwara Chheharta Sahib on fifth day of the bright half of the month of Magh (end of January or beginning of February). Flying of kites is an unusual feature of the festival. Huge fairs are organized on this occasion. Diwali is celebrated in Golden Temple with great enthusiasm for three days. The celebrations start a day earlier than the general Diwali and come to a close 3 day after Diwali. A big fair is held here about a fortnight after Diwali, for a duration of five days. This fair generally falls during the second half of October or in early November.
Guru Arjun Dev, 5th Sikh Guru, made this city a centre of spiritual literature. Amritsar has been a home to early Punjabi poetry and exegetical literature on Sikhism. Amritsar is the heart-beat of the Majha region which has provided Punjabi literature with its standard language. Around 1940, Amritsar had developed a unique confluence of different traditions which got reflected in the works of Dhani Ram `Chatrik`, Kirpa Ram `Nazim`, Giani Harinder Singh Roop, Maula Bakhsh Kushta, Feroze Din Sharaf, Saadat Hasan Mantoo, Faiz, Girami,Nanak Singh, Gurbax Singh `Preetlari`, etc. A launching pad of several renowned artists, authors and poets, the city has been a home of handloom and carpet industry for more than a century. The city is proud to have the second largest milk plant in the country.
Tourism in Amritsar District
Tourism in Amritsar District mainly includes visits to temples and Gurudwaras. One of the most important sites of this district is Golden Temple that attracts people from all parts of the country and abroad. This district of Punjab is considered as a famous tourist spot as it offers several exploring opportunities both historical and religious.
Some of the tourist spots of Amritsar District are mentioned below -
Pilgrimage Tourism in Amritsar District
Golden Temple: Golden Temple is famous for its full golden dome; it is one of the most sacred pilgrim spots for Sikhs. No words can describe its amazing beauty. The temple is built on a 67 ft square of marble. Golden Temple is surrounded by a number of other famous temples like the Durgiana Mandir. To the south of the temple are a garden and the tower of Baba Atal. The Central Sikh Museum is atop the Clock Tower. A visitor must cover his head before entering the temple premises. Guru Granth Sahib is kept in the Temple during the day and is kept in the Akal Takht or Eternal Throne in the night. The Akal Takht also houses the ancient weapons used by the Sikh warriors. Guru Hargobind Ji established it.
Durgiana Temple: Built in the third decade of the 20th century it echoes, not the traditional Hindu temple architecture, but that of the Golden Temple and, in a similar manner rises from the midst of a tank and has canopies and the central dome. One of the greatest reformers and political leaders of resurgent India, Madan Mohan Malviya, laid its foundation stone. It is a well-known repository of Hindu scriptures.
Ram Tirath: Located 11 kms west of Amritsar, the place has an ancient tank and many temples. A four day fair, since times immemorial is held here starting on the full moon night in November.
Pul Kanjari: It is another heritage site built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and many tales and legends are associated with it. Situated near the villages of Daoka and Dhanoa Kalan right on the Wagha border, Pul Kanjari is about 35 kms from Amritsar.
Jama Masjid Khairuddin: Built by Mohammad Khairuddin in 1876, this masjid is known for its architectural beauty.
Leisure Tourism in Amritsar District
Jalianwala Bagh: This site has huge historical significance associated with it. The memorial at this site commemorates the 2000 Indians who were killed or wounded, shot indiscriminately by the British on April 13, 1919 while participating in a peaceful public meeting. Jalianwalabagh Massacre was one of the major incidents of India`s freedom struggle. The story of this appalling massacre is told in the Martyr`s Gallery at the site. A section of wall with bullet marks is still visible and is preserved along with the memorial well, in which some people jumped to escape.
Ram Bagh: Ram Bagh is a beautiful garden and it has a statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The garden was named by Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) as a tribute to Guru Ram Das, the founder of the city. Presently, the summer palace of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been converted into a museum which speaks about the history.
Samadhi of Guru Angad Dev Ji: About 30 km south east from Amritsar, and within easy reach from Goindwal Sahib, is a Samadhi of the second Sikh Guru. It was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1815 AD.
Samadhi of Shravan: It is located about 6 kms from Ajnala near Jastarwal (earlier known as Dashrathwal). It is one of the oldest heritage spots in Amritsar. It belongs to the Ramayana period. The Samadhi is situated on the banks of an old rivulet (Purani Dhab).
Other tourist attractions of Amritsar District include Jagdev Kalan and Serai Amanat Khan (a very charming and elegant structure situated in a small village south west of Amritsar. The Serai has a beautiful gate constructed in a Mughal style of architecture. The tomb of Amanat Khan is surrounded by four minarets. The mosque near the tomb is decorated with Persian verses).
Monuments in Amritsar
Amritsar houses Golden Temple or more popularly known as `Harmandir Sahib`. It is one of the most popular monuments and tourist attractions of India. This holy Sikh shrine attracts a large number of people from various parts of the world. `Durgiana Mandir` is another very famous monument of the country located in Amritsar. The monuments of Amritsar reflect rich history associated with this city. Like for instance, this place is known for the Jallianwalabagh Massacre of the year 1919 under colonial rule. Amritsar, which is popular for its commercial activities that comprise carpets and fabrics, tourism, farm produce, light engineering, handicrafts and service trades, is also renowned for its various monuments and historical sites.
The Islamic and European sites of Amritsar are generally of secondary importance to the Sikh shrines. This old city is now enclosed by the circular road, 18 of the gates still survive, but only the gate to the Ram Bagh gardens is original. Saragarhi Memorial is here, which was raised to commemorate the Sikh soldiers who died defending the Saragarhi Fort on the North-West Frontier in the year 1897. The famous Ram Bagh Public Gardens is also here in this city that offers a medley of walks and fountains. It is of around 16-hectare. A short distance to the south-west of Amritsar is the Govindgarh Fort, which was completed in the year 1809 with the assistance of French officers. That is why French names can be seen on its fortified walls. Moreover, this city has St Paul`s Anglican Church, several missionary institutions and the Roman Catholic Church. On the Grand Trunk Road is Khalsa College, founded in the year 1882, a large institution affiliated to the East Punjab University of Arts and Science.
Amritsar attracts people from several parts of the world through its popular monuments and historical heritages.
