Amritsar is the spiritual home of the Sikhs, with the glowing Golden Temple, the world's largest free kitchen, Jallianwala Bagh and the lively border ceremony at Wagah. It is rich in Punjabi food. October to March is best.
Good to know
- Cover your head, remove shoes and wash feet before the temple.
- Arrive at the Wagah ceremony early for good seats.
- Langar meals are free; leave a donation if you can.
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Places the planner can use
Mark places as a must or something to skip. The itinerary is built only from this list; ★ marks the destination’s highlights.
Gleaming gold sanctum in a sacred pool, open day and night to all faiths.
Memorial garden to the 1919 massacre, with bullet-scarred walls.
Stuffed tandoor bread with chole and butter, a local legend.
Hindu temple modeled on the Golden Temple, in a calm pond.
Punjabi jootis, phulkari embroidery and spices.
Share a simple vegetarian meal with thousands of volunteers and guests.
Daily military parade and flag-lowering with cheering crowds on both sides.
Moving archive of stories from the 1947 division of India.
Restored fort with cultural shows, a museum and light display.
Folk dance, music and bullock-cart rides in a recreated village.
Local specialty, crisp and spiced, served with mint chutney.
Historic village bridge near the Pakistan border.