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AMRITSAR
General Information
Area : About five Thousand sq. km
Population: About 2.5 million (District); About 1 million
(City)
Literacy : More than 50%
Languages : Punjabi, Hindi, English
Crops : Wheat, Rice, Cotton, Sugarcane
Climate : Summer 30 to 46 - Monsoons: July to
September
Airport : Raja Sansi, International Airport
Amritsar is the soul of Punjab - the holy city of Sikhs, has
grown from a sacred village pond into a spiritual temporal
center of Sikh culture. The city gets its name from the pool-Amritsar-Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar), which was
constructed by the fourth religious preceptor of the Sikh
faith. Amritsar is the home of traditional Punjabi cuisine,
both vegetarian and non-vegetarian where each eating-
house has a specialty, which can not be matched. Its pickles,
murabbas (Indian jams) and Papad and Wariaan (recipes can
not be translated into English) and sweetmeats are exported
to far off places, right into Punjabi Diaspora abroad. Located
as it is on the Indo-Pak Border, Amritsar is the most
vulnerable and hence was most targeted town during the
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Indo-Pakistan war. So in both the Indo-Pak wars (i.e. in 1965
and 1972), Amritsar acted as shield for the rest of India,
bearing all the burns. Fortunately it proved its mettle and
not only escaped physical damage but also keep its industry
and economy steadfast. The Amritsari's are sweet spoken
and God fearing people. They are fond of good dress, good
food and sophisticated living. Lot of fashion, fun and
festivities are visible every day.
The globally renown Golden Temple, Harmandir Sahib, whichenshrines the Holy Book of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib,
is located in Amritsar. Amritsar, literally 'a pool of nectar',
was founded by the fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ram Das,
who had initially constructed a pool here. The vital nucleus
of Sikhism, Amritsar is also believed to be the site, where
Sage Valmiki wrote the epic, Ramayana. According to
popular belief, Sita had spent part of her life here and gave
birth to her sons Luv, Kush at place now called as Ram
Tirath. The construction of the temple was completed in late
sixteenth century. It was refurbished by the Sikh ruler,
Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1803. The Golden Temple is a two
storied marble structure, with an imposing dome of pure
gold. The architecture of the Golden Temple, is a blend of
Hindu and Muslim styles. The golden dome is meant to
represent an inverted lotus flower. The interior of the temple
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is decorated with semi precious stones, frescoes and glass
work.
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History of Amritsar
History of Amritsar is really fascinating. The city has been
famous for puissant Sikhs and has legends attached to it.
According to the legend, when the fourth Guru of the Sikhs
Guru Ram Das heard about the healing powers of the pool,
he ordered his son Guru Arjan Dev to erect a temple at the
site. In 1588, the foundations of a city were laid which later
on became an emblem of Sikh culture and history. The city
came to be known as Ramdaspur or Guru Ram Das di Nagri
(city of Guru Ram Das).
The Temple compound was completed in 1601. Historians
say that Mughal emperor Akbar also donated the land close
to the temple after paying off the local Jat farmers. After the
completion of the Temple, Guru Granth Sahib (Also called
Adi Granth), holy book of Sikhs was installed in the Temple.
The Temple became popular as Harmandir (Temple of God).
The traders including Khatris and Aroras were called by Guru
Ji to settle in the vicinity of the Gurudwara. A new town grew
up with the arrival of all these businessmen. Golden
Temple was plundered many times but by God's grace the
Temple got much more offerings from its devotees that
helped in its reconstruction.
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History of plunders
Ahmad Shah Durrani forayed the town in the late 18th
century. Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated 100 kilos of gold for
the temple and rebuilt the town. The Temple got its name
from the golden plating on the outer walls.
Amritsar was always threatened from both Muslim and Hindu
rulers. Guru Hargobind bastioned the city and started
accepting offerings in the form of weapons for the security of the Temple. After accession to the throne Salim (younger
son of Akbar) asked Guru Arjan Dev to accept Islam. Guru
refused and got killed by Salim who came to be known as
Emperor Jahangir.
In India's history of freedom struggle, Amritsar has a
significant place. Due to the protests against Rowlatt Act,
British General Dyer imposed a ban on holding meetings. In
the Jallianwala Bagh, without any warning he open fired
thousand of innocent men, women and children who
gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the
Khalsa panth (order of the Khalsa).
Post independence era also brought problems for
Ambarsarias (people inhabiting Amritsar). It was a fight
between the Indian administration and Sikh militant groups.
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ATTRACTIONS
1. The Golden Temple
The Golden Temple or 'Hari Mandir', situated in Amritsar,
Punjab, is the most sacred temple of the Sikhs. The site of
the temple was sacred to the Sikhs since the time of the 4th
guru, Ram Das. It is a symbol of the magnificence and
strength of the Sikh people all over the world. All Sikh
people tries to make a visit to the temple and take bath in
holy tank of the temple.
2. Jallian Wala Bagh
This place noted for its most notorious massacre under
British rule. It is 400 meters north of the Golden Temple. TheBritish General Dyer was the Lieutenant Governor of the
province in 1919. He banned all meetings and
demonstrations led by Indians against the economical set
back by World War I. On 13 April 1919, pilgrims poured into
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those who died here.
3. Durgiana Temple
The temple is dedicated to goddess Durga and dates back to
16th century. This Hindu temple also draws its share of
visitors. A large temple is dedicated to Hindu deities Laxmi
(The Goddess of wealth) and Narayan. (The Preserver of
Universe). All dignitaries visiting Golden Temple make it a
point to visit Durgiana Temple also.
4. Mata Mandir
This Hindu temple situated at Rani ka Bagh , is similar to the
Mata Vaishno Devi temple at Katra (Jammu). The temple
draws a large number of devotees from far and near.
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5. Fort Gobind Garh
In the south-west of the city, has been taken over by the
Indian army and is now off limits. It was built in 1805-09 by
Ranjit Singh, who was also responsible for constructing the
city walls.
6. Ram Bagh
This beautiful garden is named as a tribute to Guru Ram Das,
the founder of the city of Amritsar. It is situated in the new
part of town and has a museum in the summer palace built
by the Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) the Lion of
Punjab. The museum contains weapons dating back to
Mughal times and some portraits of the ruling houses of the
Punjab and a replica of the diamond 'Kohinoor'. To
commemorate the memory of his valour Ram Bagh has a
lively statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh saddled on a horse. It'sclosed on Wednesdays.
7. Ram Thirth
The place gets special mention in the great Hindu epic
'Ramayana'. It is the place where Maharshi Valmiki gave
shelter to Sita , wife of Rama when she was abandoned after
the Lanka Victory. It was here that she gave birth to the
twins Lav- Kush. There is a temple here.
8. Taren Taran
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It is an important Sikh tank about 25km south of Amritsar.
There's a temple, which predates Amritsar, and a tower on
the east side of the tank, which was also constructed by
Ranjit Singh. It's said that any leper who can swim across the
tank will be miraculously cured.
Places to visit around Amritsar
Amritsar is located in the heart of the state of Punjab in
India. Some of the important cities in Punjab are located
near Amritsar. Among the nearby cities, the most frequentlyvisited cities are Jallandhar, Ambala, Ludhiana and
Chandigarh. The cities mentioned here are commercial hubs.
You can visit Wagah Border that is located very near to
Amritsar. Many buses connect Amritsar to Wagah Border and
hundreds of visitors visit the place to have panoramic views
of the nearby landscape of Pakistan. Some people visit
Wagah Border in nostalgic mood to remember the partition.
Anandpur Sahib and Kirtpur Sahib are another famous
Gurudwaras near Amritsar. While journeying to Himachal
Pradesh or Punjab, most of the Sikhs take a stoppage to visit
these holy shrines.
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General Information
Location : Himachal Pradesh.
Altitude : 2,159m.
Best Time : April To August & December To
January.
Scenic Beauty : The Mall, Christ Church, Kufri,
Narkanda.
Activities : Skiing, Fishing, Golfing & Trekking
Shimla Resorts
Shimla (also spelt as 'Simla') derives its name from goddess
'Shayamla Devi', which is another manifestation of Goddess
Kali. The capital of Himachal Pradesh came into light when
the British discovered it in 1819. Till then, it was a part of the
Nepalese kingdom. In 1864 Shimla was declared as the
summer capital of India. After Independence, Shimla became
the capital of Punjab and was later named the capital of
Himachal Pradesh. In 1903 a rail line was constructed
between Kalka and Shimla.
Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties, one
can think of. Dwelling on a panoramic location, the hilly town
is surrounded by green pastures and snow-capped peaks.
The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures
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made during the colonial era create an aura, which is very
different from other hill stations.
Bulging at its seams with unprecedented expansion, Shimla
retains its colonial heritage, with grand old buildings, among
them are the stately Viceregal Lodge, charming iron lamp
posts and Anglo-Saxon names. The Mall, packed with shops
and eateries, is the centre of attraction of the town, and
Scandal Point, associated with the former Maharaja of
Patiala's escapades, offers a view of distant snowclad peaks.
Shimla's Heritage Walks
Shimla is one of the few places in the world where an
enormous amount of history and heritage has been distilled
into such a small place in so short a time. The town came
into being in the first quarter of the 19th century and some
four decades later, became the "Summer Capital' of British
India. Till the coming of India's independence in 1947,
momentous events and memorable architecture packed the
town.
Today, the colonial order is gone, but its architectural
bequest is now a part of the legacy for a free India. And the
seven hills of Shimla hold a variety of architectural styles
from all over the world- made all the more distinctive, for
manstructural elements are local. In addition, the town has
one of the longest stretches of purely pedestrian road and
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shopping anywhere in the world - the Mall. Shimla also holds
what may well be the Earth's only 'urban forest'.
Shimla's Seven Hill Attractions
The seven hills of Shimla are - Prospect Hill in Western
Shimla, which has the temple of Kamna Devi; Summer Hill in
Western Shimla, which has the campus of the Himachal
Pradesh University; Observatory Hill in Western Shimla,
which holds the estate of the Indian Institute of Advanced
Study; Invererarm in Western Shimla, whose top has theState Museum; Bantony in central Shimla, which has the
Grand Hotel; Jakhoo in central Shimla, which is crowned by
the temple indicated to Lord Hanuman, and Elysium in north-
western Shimla, which holds Auckland House and Longwood
and reaches out towards the Bharari spur.
Shimla's Malls
As the town of Shimla grew through the 19th century, its
Mall steadily developed as the town's commercial street and
the hub of its social life. The road, which some 5-km in
length, starts in the west at the gates of he former Viceregal
Lodge , the present day Indian Institute of Advanced Study
and ends at Chhota Shimla or 'Small' Shimla, in the east.
The route has bends, as one would expect any hill road to
have, ut its nature essentially follows a wide sweeping curve
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along the hills. The primary aspect is south facing and
affords a view of the valley below the town and of the
foothills that reach out to the plains from its habitation. In
pockets, snatches of the northern aspect spring up for a
dramatic view and hold woods of Pine and Himalayan Cedar -
the majestic Deodar. This picture of nature's bounty is
framed by the distant snow ranges of the Greater Himalaya.
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SHOPPING
A Colonial Supermarket With Indian Lifestyles
A major determinant of the town character and social ethos,
the mall has modified its colonial and rather snooty
ambience to reflect the Indian market centric lifestyle. Yet,
the original colonial architecture, somewhat crumbling,
somewhat forlorn and yet, almost unforgivingly still its spine,
the street remains the town's social hub and for many, also
its economic core. There is hardly a person who lives in
Shimla who regards his day as complete without a daily
salute to its tarmac or an evening promenade.
A Heritage Zone
There is hardly a visitor who will not rush there on his very
first day in town. Its stores may be expensive in comparisonwith the lower bazaar that runs parallel to the mall some
metre below, but yet this street is perhaps one of the most
visible reflections of the principle of democracy anywhere in
the world. This, perhaps, is born out of the fact that this
stretch remains one of the longest stretches of open public
road anywhere in the world that is lined with stores and
where motor vehicles are not allowed through its core. Only
select cars, ambulances and fire engines may ply through
the street.
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ATTRACTIONS
1. Annandale
Annandale, just 2-km below the Ridge in Shimla, offers a
picturesque piece of ground, charmingly adapted for
recreation in the days of the Raj. Today it affords a pleasant
change from the perpetual slopes above.
2. Chadwick Falls
Beyond the Summer Hill and 7-km west of the ridge from
Shimla are the Chadwick Falls, which was once the site of a
67-m aquatic spectacle.
3. Chapslee
Containing the comfortable elegance of an English country
manor, Chapslee was originally built in 1835.
4. Christ Church And St Michael'S Cathedral
The most prominent building on the Mall is the yellow Christ
Church, reputed to be the second oldest church in northern
India. The silhouette of this can be seen on the skyline for
miles around. It was designed by Colonel JT Boileau in 1844,
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but consecrated only after 1857. The clock was donated by
Colonel Dumbleton in 1860, and the porch added in 1873.
5. Churdhar Sanctuary
The sanctuary got its name from the Chur Peak, on the top
of which sits a majestic status of Lord Shiva. One is sure to
come across a large number of multi-coloured and agile
Monals in the adjoining forests.
6. Gurkha Castles The Gurkha castles in Solan, Sirmour, Bilaspur and Shimla
districts remind us of the life and time under the Gurkha
regime. While most of the structures built by the Gurkhas
have crumbled, the remaining few beckon tourists.
7. Hatkoti
Some 105-km east of Shimla, in Jubbal Tehsil on the banks of
the river Pabbar, lays the mysterious valley of stone temples
Hatkoti. Close by stands a small village by the name of
Parhaat.
8. Jakhu Temple
No visit to the state capital Shimla is complete without
visiting Jakhu Hill. This hill looms over Shimla town and is the
geographical nucleus. The Hanuman temple at the top of
Jakhu hill is the highest point in town.
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9. Jeep Safari In Himachal Pradesh
By jeep, car or on motorcycle, one can explore the variety
Himachal has to offer. By jeep, the Trans Himalayan tracts
can steadily unfold their natural and man-made wonders.
10. Karyali LakeIn district Shimla,Karyali Lake lies on the northern face of the
peak of Chhoti Shali.
11. Kotesvara Temple
The Kotesvara (also spelt as Kotesvar) temple is a
magnificient structure dedicated to Shiva who is represented
there in the form of 'Shivalinga'.
12. Shirigul Temple
One of the oldest and the most important temples of Shirigul
are situated on the Chur Dhar Peak.
13. Tattapani
On the right banks of the river Satluj, is Tattapani famous for
its hot sulphur springs. The place also has religious
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importance. These natural sulphur springs are invigorating
and have curative values.
14. The Ridge
The large open space in the heart of town presents excellent
view of the mountain ranges. Shimla's landmarks - the Neo-
Gothic structure of Christ Church and the new - Tudor Library
building is worth seeing
15. Viceregal Lodge
On the Observatory Hills is located Viceregal Lodge, which is
also known as Rashtrapati Niwas. This magnificent building
was the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin
16. War Memorial
Just over 2-kms from Gandhi Chowk is Martyr's Memorial at
Panjpulla (five bridges), which commemorates Ajit Singh, a
supporter of Subhash Bose and the Indian national Army
during World War II.
Places to visit around Shimla
1. Dagshai
Another little cantonment at an altitude of 1,925m just 19-
km from Kasauli, it is accessible by a link road, which diverts
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from Dhrampur. Dagshai is perched on a small hill and
comprisse of a military public school and numerous military
barracks
2. Daranghati Sanctuary
Daranghati sanctuary located in the upper area of Shimla
District, has undisturbed forest area with plenty of wildlife
and was notified on 27th March 1974. The total covered area
of this sanctuary is 16740 hectares.
3. Dharampur, Shimla
Just 15-km from Kasauli on the National Highway No.22,
Dharampur is situated. Amidst the healthy air of the fragrant
pines, Dharampur has one of the best hospitals in India for
the cure of tuberculosis. It is also connected by Kalka-Shimla
railway line.
4. Fagu
Situated on Hindustan-Tibet Road (22-km), at a height of
2,450m Fagu is gifted with some enchanting views.
5. Himalayan Aviary
Close to the Viceregal lodge is the Himalayan Aviary or the
Himalayan Bird Park. This park is a natural habitat of
numerous species of birds found in Himachal such as
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Himalayan Monal, Pheasants, Peafowls and National Bird of
India, the Peacock.
TRANSPORT
By Air
The Jubbarhatti airport is 23-km from Shimla and major
domestic airlines cater their services from here to Shimla.
One can catch direct flights from Delhi.
By Road
Roads connect the capital city of Himachal with other places
in the state as well as other major towns and cities. There isregular bus service from Delhi and Chandigarh as well as
ordinary; semi deluxe, deluxe and AC coaches for Shimla are
available too. One can also cross over to Leh and Ladakh via
Rohtang pass from here.
By Rail
Shimla has a narrow gauge railway line on which toy train
runs from Kalka to Shimla. The train cruises its way through
valleys and beautiful landscapes at a very slow pace making
the journey very pleasant. From Kalka one can take trains to
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other parts of the country. The Toy train from Shimla is of
two types - one is the normal multi coach train and the other
is the single car train, which has a glass roof giving an
enthralling experience during the journey.
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