It was yet another August, and we had to choose another new destination to celebrate our anniversary.
We picked Amritsar as our destination this year, as it's more of going through new experiences, seeing new places and cultures from past 5 years now.
A lot of research, reading reviews and blogs have always been handy at all my trips including Amritsar. Time was well managed, all places covered and no surprises.
Our trip coinciding with the long weekend, the crowd was pretty bad..we could eventually board the flight literally at the nth moment, it was chaos all around.
Day 1
Arrived at Amritsar by 13.00. As I had planned the places to visit part, and not the mode of transport, I kept my options open and was keen on hiring a Bike to explore on my own. Eventually ended up booking a 8 hours package Ola cab.
Reached Golden Sarovar hotel, checked in, had quick lunch and headed straight to Wagah Border.
I was aware that no handbags were allowed inside and the Mobile phone network was blocked, security arrangements were expectedly detailed.
The stadium built around the Border gate is quite enormous and has a seating capacity of 25,000 people.
It was a unique, strange (unexplainable) feeling to realize I was heading towards India-Pakistan border.
The excitement and eagerness kept mounting as we were walking inside the Stadium and being seated.
As the Stadium can seat 25000 people, even if we had reached by 5.30 PM, we could have managed a place to sit.
Like us, Thousands of people started arriving and taking seats from 3.30 PM itself.
It was a long, strenuous wait under the harsh Sun..it was hot and sweaty, despite being well prepared with Cap, Umbrella and sun glasses.
The mood was no less than a India-Pak cricket Match...lot of vendors selling Cool drinks, water, hand fans, umbrellas, caps etc.
Finally some action began by 6.00 PM..it looked like an organized entertaining event, than a Military routine.
The host (part of BSF) was doing a great job in pumping up the spirits and inflicting Patriotism amongst the crowd. He was motivating the crowd to loudly cheer for the Jawans with some patriotic songs..loud music, dancing and cheers marked the pre-show events.
Similar programs were being conducted on the Pak side as well, and the Crowd there looked lifeless who were hardly 100 to 200 of them.
Finally the Parades and Retreat ceremony were carried out to the loud cheer from the crowd. It was beautiful to watch our Jawans in the act so professionally and in a very well coordinated manner.
After a small chaos at the Parking lot when 1000s of cars had to leave the place at the same time, we reached our Hotel and retired for the day.
Day 2
Anniversary Day, headed to the Golden Temple.
The short heritage walk near the Temple is just beautiful.
Reached Golden temple, with our heads covered (as per their tradition)..The entire campus was indeed mesmerizing, peaceful and majestic.
We spent lot of time taking pictures and looking at sea of people immersed in devotion. It was a divine feeling despite belonging to different faith.
We could not enter the main Worship Place due to heavy crowd.
After spending good quality time on our Anniversary at the Golden Temple, we reached Jallianwala bagh (which is just outside the Golden Temple).
Didn't look like the place of such historical importance was well maintained...There were lot of work going on, hope it will be better soon.
Took a short eRikshaw and went to the famous Kesar da Dhabha.
The food tasted yummy and probably way too much of oil and Ghee to my liking...The Lassi turned out to be a let down as it tasted so artificial and in a ready to drink state.
After a hectic first half, we cut short our day and had a good rest at the Hotel. We spent time in Shosha, a rooftop lounge bar at the Hotel where we stayed to celebrate our anniversary.
Day 3
Plan was to spend lot of time roaming around the streets of the famous Hall Bazaar and do some shopping.
After being lost for some time and roaming on wrong streets, we could finally reach the main Hall Bazaar and do some serious shopping..Preeti picked up lot of traditional Juttis, Phulkari work dresses and Dupattas for herself, her friends and cousins.
We then proceeded towards Partition Museum which is at the end of Hall Bazaar road. A museum very well maintained and the painful stories well told in form of videos, documentaries, artifacts, Audios and photographs. One can feel the pains and troubles people in Punjab went through those days.
Just outside the Museum is the world Famous Bharwan da Dhabha...their Kulchas, Pickles, Lassi were so satisfying and gave the true feel of Punjabi sumptuous food.
After a good meal, we headed back to our Hotel and rested for couple of hours before visiting Govindgarh Fort.
Another beautiful, historically important monument, very well maintained. The fort is transformed as an entertainment centre. The entry fee varies from Rs. 180 to Rs. 650 per head depending on the activities and shows one wants to see when inside the Fort.
I liked the way they have beautified the fort with attractive lighting, included food courts, Museums, rides, games, live performances and shows.
The 7D show, Live performances and Light n Sound show were the main attractions.
They have creatively used these entertaining aspects to convey the history, importance and richness of Punjab, their art and culture.
After a wonderful time at Govindgarh fort, we headed to the Golden temple again to see it when lit.
The grandeur of the Temple only amplifies with the lighting.
I didn't want to miss the famous Langar, which is so well organized and managed at such massive scale.
The staff's and devotees' discipline, humbleness, cleanliness makes the Golden Temple an inspiring, satisfying visit.
Day 4
Last day of the trip, had good breakfast at the Hotel, checked out the rooms, dumped our luggage at their Luggage holding room and visited another famous place in Amritsar, Durgiani Temple.
The temple has Lakshmi Narayana, Krishna Rukmini and Rama Seetha temples inside the main complex.
Visited Durga and Hanuman temples inside the complex and came back to the hotel to have our lunch and head straight the Airport.
Ended the trip with lots of beautiful memories. Loved Amritsar, loved the humble, kind people, loved the hotel Golden Sarovar Portico.
Impressed with the driving skills (which is most of the times scary) of these eRikshaw drivers who drive through the crowded narrow lanes of Amritsar!
11th year anniversary well spent, well celebrated and another must-see Indian destination explored and experienced!
