Amritsar has still not lost the rich architecture and culture which their ancestors had built with audacity. Situated in northwestern India in the northern part of the state Punjab, it lies about 25 km east of the border with Pakistan. Amritsar is an important city in Punjab and is a major commercial, cultural, and transportation centre. It is also the centre of Sikhism and the principal site of the Sikh's place of worship.

Being situated on the main Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) from Delhi connecting Lahore in Pakistan, Amritsar has a lot of activities going on. Some of the most beautiful ancient buildings are a part of this city's heritage. The golden temple, the five sarovars and many more famous tourist places are related to Amritsar. Apart from the historical monuments, there is a part of city totally pristine and urbanized. It is excellently connected to all the main cities by air, road and rails. Apart from connectivity to major Indian cities, international cities such as Birmingham, Toronto, Dubai, Singapore, Tashkent, Ashgabat and London are also connected extensively by air.

Distant view of Babatul, AmritsarAmritsar city is one of the major cities of the Punjab state in India. Under instructions from Guru Amar Das, this city was founded by Guru Ram Das in 1574, on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. (Earlier Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 {according to one source in 1570}. It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das).

Amritsar is located at 31.63° N 74.87° E.[2] It has an average elevation of 234 metres (768 ft).

Amritsar has a continental climate, typical of northwestern India. The winter season (November to March) when temperatures ranges from 18 °C to about 4 °C, the hot season (April to June) when temperatures can reach 49.5 °C, monsoon season (July to September) and post-monsoon (September to November). Annual rainfall is about 790 mm. The best time to visit Amritsar is between October and March.

The Golden Temple is the main attraction in the city, and the most important religious place to the Sikhs. It's a stunning complex, and always full of thousands of pilgrims from all over India, excited to be at a place that they usually only see on television. The excitement to be here is infectious, and many people will be more than happy to tell you all about their religion and customs, and show you around the temple itself.

Darshani Deori
This is the main entrance, sporting a distinctly Victorian clock-tower. Amrit Sarovar. The giant pool of water that surrounds and reflects the Golden Temple. Sections (marked off by ropes) are set aside for (male) pilgrims wishing to bathe.

Harmandir Sahib
This is the Golden Temple itself, floating above the Amrit Sarovar, housing the sacred Adi Granth scripture which is recited out loud during the day. This is the most crowded point, accessible by a bridge from the edge of the pool, and entry here is regulated by guards.

Akal Takht
directly opposite the Harmandir Sahib. Meaning "the Timeless, this is where the highest council of Sikhs sits and deliberates. At night, the Guru Granth Sahib is taken to the Akal Takht.

Central Sikh Museum
2nd floor (entrance on the right side of the main side of the main entrance). Devoted to large gallery of paintings, mostly showing the gruesome ways countless Sikhs have been martyred, and various knick-knacks from the gurus.

All Sikhs are expected at some point in their lives to volunteer for a week at the temple, and everyone you see working here is fulfilling that duty. It's likely possible that you can join in if you feel so inclined - you could start by chatting up the people outside peeling vegetables, or those washing dishes.