Baisakhi Fair (Apr 13)
by RAJASTHANBYCAR
Baisakhi is the first day of the New Year in the traditional Vikrami calendar and it is one of the high points of the year for Sikhs as it is anniversary of the founding of Khalsa. Baisakhi is a North Indian harvest festival, for it is the day when the reaping of the rabi (winter crop) begins. The jubilation at a bountiful harvest becomes the reason for celebration. It is one of the most popular and colourful festivals of Punjab, with fairs held at various places. Dancing men and women, on the day of Baisakhi, emerge singing and dancing from the surrounding villages carrying a portion of the first harvest of wheat proceeding to the gurudwara to make an offering.
Attari-Wagah border ceremony near Amritsar
by castorp75
This ceremony right at the border between India and Pakistan (the only official transit point between the 2 country) can be a highlight of your trip in Punjab (besides the Golden temple). I wouldn't like to repeat the experiences my fellow travelers have written down before me. I can only confirm their correctness and EMPHASIZE that attending the closing of border ceremony is indeed an exceptionally enchanting experience.
Some additional info:
1) Attending the ceremony is free.
2) Taxi from Amritsar should cost about 400.- Rs incl. waiting time (return journey). Autorickshaws are only a little cheaper.
3) The ceremony takes place every day (incl. weekends) Weekends can be overcrowded, so go on a weekday if possible.
4) If you arrive at the border around 4 o'clock you will have time to sit around at a small roadside cafe where even some of the locals will pour down a beer (Rs. 100.-) or two to strengthen their enthusiasm. You can watch them or follow them. These places are not licensed of course but they don't make too much fuss about it. At least, not like in Pakistan.
5) You can get a very cheap (Rs. 200.-) DVD (playing time is more than an hour) which contains scenes from the border ceremony, the Golden temple and some temples from the other side (Pakistan) as well. It is a good deal and don't worry: you can play the DVDs even on a European DVD player.
6) If you're lucky and ask one of the lot of soldiers responsible for keeping the order, as a white westerner you'll be driven to the VIP sector where it is much easier (and closer) to watch the details of the ceremony.
Durgiana temple
by mallyak
The Durgiana Temple Complex was built in the 16th century and closely resembles the nearby
Golden Temple. This is a very peaceful temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga. The temple closes
at 1 in the afternoon so make sure you are there early.
Take time to walk around the pathway, and enjoy the stillness of the surrounding
pool. It is truly a worth visit when in Amritsar
Fish around Golden Temple
by RAJASTHANBYCAR
Around the Golden Temple in the pool can see some colourful Fish.Is there a story behind the fish in the sacred pool of the Harminder Sahib since i heard about some fish with a gold ring on its nose that supposed to bring good luck.
Jallianwala Bagh
by Willettsworld
Jallianwala Bagh is where the British opened fire on a peaceful crowd and killed 2000 people on the 13th April 1919. This scene is featured in the Gandhi movie and it was this that sparked him to instigate his programme of civil disobedience and to start the "kick the British out of India campaign". The area today is a neatly prepared park with cut green grass, a large memorial, a large well where over 120 people died trying to take cover and a hall lined with portraits of some of the people who were killed. As you can imagine, this park has a very solemn atmosphere and therefore should be respected. I was getting some looks as I walked around. I thought, if someone asks me here where I'm from I'll give an answer other than being British as it wasn't one of our finest hours.
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Cook the food for Langar
Amritsar Local Custom
Cleanup after everyone eats
Inside Durgiana Temple
