Things to Do in Punjab

Jallianwala Bagh is a public garden in the northern city of Amritsar in India’s Punjab province. It serves to commemorate the massacre of hundreds of innocent civilians celebrating the religious festival, Baisakhi on April 13, 1919. Under orders from Commander General Dyer, British soldiers opened fire at a group of unarmed men, women, and children without warning. Official sources estimated the fatalities at 379, with 1,100 wounded. However, both the casualties and fatalities of that day are believed to be significantly higher than that which was officially reported.

The garden span 26 square­ meters with the memorial monument, the Flame of Liberty, at its center. Inaugurated by Dr Rajendra Prasad in 1961, the first President of the Republic of India, the monument is a towering pylon made of red stone and featuring the the Indian national emblem upon it. Stone lanterns stand at each corner of the monument, which are inscribed with words of homage in Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, and English to commemorate the victims of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Dignitaries, locals, and tourists from around the world have visited Jallianwala Bagh, including Queen Elizabeth II in 1997.

Harmandir Sahib, or Golden Temple, is the most sacred of Sikh gurdwaras. It’s located in the northern city of Amritsar in India’s Punjab state and is part of a large temple complex. The stunning golden gurdwara that stands today was rebuilt in the mid­-18th century by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia.

Situated at the end of a long causeway, the Golden Temple is a unique blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture. Everybody, irrespective of caste and creed, are welcome at Harmandir Sahib, and there are four doors to the temple representing this openness of the Sikhs towards all people and religions.

Encircled by a marble walkway and surrounded by water that is believed to have healing properties, pilgrims come from all over the world to worship and bathe here. The upper levels of the temple are covered with gold, while in the inner sanctum, priests and musicians chant from the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy book) consistently throughout the day.

The partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 led to the marking of the Wagah Border between the two nations. It’s located around 30 kilometers from Amritsar and consists of a long white line that defines the border between the two countries, separated by two heavy gates on either side. The Wagah Border is the only open crossing between India and Pakistan that’s officially accessible by both countries.

The border has become famous for its Beating the Retreat ceremony, which marks the closing of the gates and lowering of both national flags a few hours before sunset each day. A huge crowd gathers on both sides to watch the show every evening, which is stylized by pomp and vigor combined with overt patriotism and a sense of ceremonial duty.