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We believe you will have an amazing experience at the captivating Golden Temple Amritsar tour when you take advantage of our abundant Amritsar tour extension. The Golden Temple is a stunning two-story marble building encircled by a dazzling pool of holy water and coated in pure gold. Nevertheless, the most exquisite aspect is what transpires within. Thousands of free meals are prepared daily at the Golden Temple by expansive kitchens manned by hundreds of volunteers; everyone is welcome to join in a meal together, regardless of class, income, caste, or religion. The adjoining village of Wagah, which lies on the Pakistani border, is another must-see. Every nightfall, the border gates are ceremoniously closed with tremendous pomp and national pride.

Amritsar Arrival 

Direct flights from Delhi, Jaipur, or Mumbai are the most convenient way to link your luxury Amritsar extension to the remainder of your schedule. At the Amritsar airport, a member of our crew will greet you and drive you to the Taj Swarna. (Although the Hyatt is a great alternative to the Taj for those seeking luxury, those who like cozy heritage houses would be happier at Ranjit's Svaasa).

A few hours will be available for you to relax and get settled before going to the Golden Temple this evening for the Putting to Bed Ceremony. When you visit Amritsar, you should not miss the unique and colorful event and the breathtaking view of the Golden Temple gleaming at night. The Original Holy Book, or Adi Granth, a compilation of the great saints' songs, is kept at the temple. The Holy Scripture is ceremoniously put to bed every evening as devotees transport it from the Harmandir Sahib, where it is kept throughout the day, to the Akal Takht. Every evening at approximately 9:15 p.m. in the winter and 10:15 p.m. in the summer, the ceremony is held.

In Amritsar

You and your guide will revisit the temple today to conduct a more in-depth investigation. A leper was cured by taking a dip in the pool a few years before the construction of the first Sikh temple in Amritsar towards the end of the 16th century. Maharaja Ranjit Singh restored the temple in 1764, and in 1830, 100 kg of gold was added, earning the structure the moniker "The Golden Temple in Amritsar." 

Your guide will take you on a tour of the temple's main area and discuss its intricate design and lengthy history. This includes pointing you to the large dining hall where guests can sit down and share a complimentary lunch. As your guide takes you behind the scenes, you'll discover that the most amazing aspect is the large kitchens where volunteers meticulously cook all of this food. Large cauldrons filled with daal (lentils) and clusters of women preparing chapatti (flatbread) will be visible. Meanwhile, the ceaseless rinsing of dishes is audible in the background. There are also candies and an endless supply of sweet chai (tea) offered for free to anyone who requests it. People are bathing in the water outside the kitchens, which is thought to be holy and to be the source of all healing. Additionally, as worshippers round the temple in a circular manner, you can hear chants emanating from it.

The scene of the historic 1919 massacre, Jallianwala Bagh, is only a short stroll from the Golden Temple. General Reginald Dyer arrived leading a Jalandhar infantry unit and ordered the shooting deaths of hundreds of unarmed protestors in this fenced-in garden. The event aided in the speedy termination of British authority in India. There is a memorial for the dead at the east end.  

Subsequently, you will travel to Wagah, which is the final border crossing between India and Pakistan. Two magnificently uniformed guards on either side of the border goose step across to the flagpoles to lower their respective national flags every evening when buglers sound the final post. It looks like they are viewing a mirror version of the same workout because of how well their steps line up. Attracting onlookers from both sides, the ceremony serves as a sad reminder of the 1947 Partition, which split Punjab between two nations.

Departure From Amritsar

You'll be driven back to the airport today in time for your next departure. The majority of our visitors often take a flight back to Delhi from where they may either resume their sightseeing in the capital city (if their luxury Amritsar tour extension is scheduled at the beginning of the trip) or travel overseas.