Amritsar - The Land of the Golden throne and greatttt food!

Not to miss the Pagri (pagdi) museum and the war museum inside the fort. To make it more interesting, the fort authority also has live shows in place every week. If you are here in Amritsar, I suggest you include this fort in the list and keep on eye on their website for the live performances, if you wish to witness them.

We were there for a good 2 hours and then moved further to our actual destination - The Golden shrine. We obviously took help of google maps, which in fact took us on a wild cultural shopping tour on its streets. The place was filled with people and with the businesses thriving on both the sides, the only way forward was to make way for ourselves one step at a time. 😀

After half an hour of Hustle Bustle on the shopping streets, we finally reached the Golden temple. Buttttt, it was not time yet- not yet time to visualize the full glory of the Temple, it was not evening yet!! aaaaand we were also hungry- so we head to to the dhaba close by to have the Kesar Malai- My O My!!! I am never a fan of Milk products, but that let me tell you was another level altogether. A must try when you are here.

Also, the other thing which is famous is the Dry mango Papad- Oooh the flavors! - sweet, sour, and the chilli Powder adding to the whole twist to the palette., hmm I really cannot compare it with anything that I had before- it was different in its own way. I am sure not everyone will like it-like they say- you can either like it or hate it, but cannot ignore it!!! yuppppp this clearly applies here! 😀

Unfortunately, we were not able to visit the Jallianwala Bagh as the place was under renovation. Also, the Attari - Wagah border ceremony - because of Covid outbreak the ceremonial procession which happens between India and Pakistan was happening behind closed doors. Yet, it would be such a shame of not visiting the Attari border when you come all the way to Amritsar. We bargained, made a deal with a taxi driver-and Wohooooo!!! we finally head to Attari border!!!- I was there., the patriotism feel you get here is just to another level!!!- I was right there!!! on the border hardly a kilometer away from the neighboring country Pakistan- But, It still is a bummer that I did not get a chance to see our Indian Army wooping the Pakistan army in the parade!

After witnessing India's national flag fluttering higher than our neighboring country's flag, we decided to go to Attari- the first railway station of our country. Jeeeeeeezzz!!! as you enter you are bound to sense some fear within or the sense of you being watched- which can be true as you are about 3 Km far from the railway border of Pakistan- Yet we just stood there, with all our might and valor showing the world that we do not fear anyone!!. But, surreal experience to put it in words!!!

From there on our way to Sadda Pind. We heard many many many stories which our driver had to tell about the experiences- some his own, some borrowed from his friends., either ways I learnt a lot about my Country India!

After so much of valor and bravery, it was time to have some fun and too much of lip smacking food!! Sadda Pind is exactly that. Sadda Pind is more like a cultural theme park, which displays the ethnicity, food and everything that authentic Punjab has to offer.

I would highly suggest you visit this place when you are in Amritsar- well, if you are interested in what Punjab has to offer., then you will surely not regret this experience. By the time, we finished all of this- it was already 9 PM, we then head back to the Golden Temple.

Finally it was dark enough to see the Golden temple in its full glory. As we enter!! the vibes were there- the serene vibes, people sit there respecting their lord- none to disturb, none to judge. Peeeace is the word when you are here - the shrine is in the center of the man made pond and there is a pathway from one end of the pond to the actual shrine inside the Golden Temple, where one can go and offer the prayers or you can just go there to appreciate the architecture., either ways, you can make use of the time here to get some positive energy.

We spent quite a bit of time here- just sitting there and lost in time, it was already 11:45 PM in the night and as we came out of the temple- the city was still alive -- well, at least to an extent. Our hotel being 2 kms away, we decided to have a walk. I would highly HIGHLYY suggest you pick up a rick and have them drop you at the hotel for an obvious reason of safety!!. if you are planning to walk late night to the hotel that is. No matter how much I boast about being a solo traveler., when you are travelling with women., the experiences change a bit on how the ailments come out.

There are always two sides of the coin - the good and the bad. Although, we did not have any major instances of negativity- there are stories we see and hear everyday- So yesss!! better safe than sorry.

Feb 9

Another beautiful dayyy is up on the cards! - today we start our day with the day view of the Golden temple for the morning view and from there we went to the Partition Museum. If you are in Amritsar, I would highly suggest not to miss this museum - I feel this is one gem of a museum in our country as it narrates the whole story of the Partition between India and Pakistan- the blood shed by our ancestors, the difficulties faced by them, how people are still yet to find their relatives., not knowing whether they are on this side of the border or on the other side. The stories speak so much pain., that it will make you actually wonder- Was the partition any useful at all?.

In fact one of the stories which I would like to narrate is with our Taxi driver here in Amritsar. Apparently, when there are peaceful times between India and Pakistan, he has his Punjabi friends who travel to Pakistan to visit their relatives. When the partition happened, some part of their family were left behind in Pakistan and till date, they cannot see or talk to their relatives on a regular note as there are rising tensions between the two countries and these people still feel the pain of somebody being there for them, but on the other side of the border to whom they cannot reach out to. Sure, we are all patriotic, but huge respect to the people who are on the receiving end because of this partition., yet their love to their Mother land never reduces a bit!!. Such be my people, such be my country! - Vande Maataram!

After the history lesson, we decided to give the taste palette its much deserved food break - I will highly recommend Bharawan Da Dhaba or Brothers dhaba near the Partition museum, which is ultra famous and one of the oldest dhabas present till date. Wohooooo!!! what Amazing food- I tried the Butter Kulche, Mirchi Kulche alongside chickpeas and some pickle- Lord!! Lord! Lord!!! the butter!!!!- it was more like the kulche were dipped in butter and the hype for these dhabas were sooo much worth it... oh!! and adding it up with the masala Chaas! (masala buttermilk) totally give the Bluurppps!!!

After lunch, we then decided- Let's leave to Himachal., we then hired a cab - well because we were 6 of them, cab was a much cheaper option for us.. Oh and also on the way to Manali, there is this restaurant called Haveli!!- Jeesus!!! If you get a chance to visit any of their restaurants- please do!! you get some ammmmaaaaazing!! lip smacking food!.

What happened Next? will rightfully blow your mind :D., ok that may be a bit exaggerating - But, do read the "A brief love note to Himachal!" for travelogue- you will not be disappointed. 🙂

If you have any queries what so ever- feel free to reach out to me via this blog post or through my insta handle 'the_indian_banjara' - 🙂