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The Harmandir Sahib (or Hari Mandir) in Amritsar, Punjab, is
the holiest shrine in Sikhism. Previously (and still more commonly) known as the
Golden Temple, it was officially renamed Harmandir
Sahib in March 2005. The temple (or gurdwara) is a major
pilgrimage destination for Sikhs from all over the world, as well as an
increasingly popular tourist attraction
Construction of the Golden Temple began in 1574 on land donated by the Mughal emperor Akbar. The building project was overseen by the fourth and fifth Sikh Gurus. The temple was completed in 1601, but restoration and embellishment continued over the years.
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Golden Temple
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On April 13, 1919, a multitude of Punjabis gathered in Amritsar's Jallian wala Bagh as part of the Sikh Festival "Baisakhi fair" and to protest at these extraordinary measures. The throng, penned in a narrow space smaller than Trafalgar Square, had been peacefully listening to the testimony of victims when Dyer appeared at the head of a contingent of British troops. Giving no word of warning, he ordered 50 soldiers to fire into the gathering, and for 10 to 15 minutes 1,650 rounds of ammunition were unloaded into the screaming, terrified crowd, some of whom were trampled by those desperately trying to escape.
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Jallianwala Bagh |
Wagah frontier is the only open border accessible legally by India and Pakistan.
There are special buses that arrange trips everyday to this site from
Amritsar to Wagah Border.A white line that came along with the partition in
1947 by the Britishers demarcates the border between the neighboring countries
about a yard apart.
The soldiers drill with pounding long strides on the grounds as the two iron
gates are shut with a final handshake. The ceremony invokes nostalgia among the
visitors and offers something that one cannot afford to miss as a short
excursion from Amritsar. |
Wagah Border
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Durgiana Mandir, an important religious pilgrimage of The Hindus is in the
Northern India. It is situated in Holy Amritsar City of Punjab. It is a few
yards away from Railway Station & about 1.5 km. from the Bus Stand. This city of
Amritsar is pious, as it was visited by Lord Rama, Maryada Parshotam at the time
of Ashavmegh Yagh. Lov & Kush spent their childhood alongwith their mother Mata
Sita at the Ashram of Maharishi Balmiki at Ram Tirath King Ishvaku Grandson of
Surya Devta performed a number of Yagyas on this land. |
Durgiana Mandir |