Amritsar Shimla 23 Pages

7/27/2019 Amritsar Shimla 23 Pages

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AMRITSAR

General Information

Area : About five Thousand sq. km

Population: About 2.5 million (District); About 1 million

(City)

Literacy : More than 50%

Languages : Punjabi, Hindi, English

Crops : Wheat, Rice, Cotton, Sugarcane

Climate : Summer 30 to 46 - Monsoons: July to

September

Airport : Raja Sansi, International Airport

Amritsar is the soul of Punjab - the holy city of Sikhs, has

grown from a sacred village pond into a spiritual temporal

center of Sikh culture. The city gets its name from the pool-Amritsar-Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar), which was

constructed by the fourth religious preceptor of the Sikh

faith. Amritsar is the home of traditional Punjabi cuisine,

both vegetarian and non-vegetarian where each eating-

house has a specialty, which can not be matched. Its pickles,

murabbas (Indian jams) and Papad and Wariaan (recipes can

not be translated into English) and sweetmeats are exported

to far off places, right into Punjabi Diaspora abroad. Located

as it is on the Indo-Pak Border, Amritsar is the most

vulnerable and hence was most targeted town during the



Indo-Pakistan war. So in both the Indo-Pak wars (i.e. in 1965

and 1972), Amritsar acted as shield for the rest of India,

bearing all the burns. Fortunately it proved its mettle and

not only escaped physical damage but also keep its industry

and economy steadfast. The Amritsari's are sweet spoken

and God fearing people. They are fond of good dress, good

food and sophisticated living. Lot of fashion, fun and

festivities are visible every day.

The globally renown Golden Temple, Harmandir Sahib, whichenshrines the Holy Book of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib,

is located in Amritsar. Amritsar, literally 'a pool of nectar',

was founded by the fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ram Das,

who had initially constructed a pool here. The vital nucleus

of Sikhism, Amritsar is also believed to be the site, where

Sage Valmiki wrote the epic, Ramayana. According to

popular belief, Sita had spent part of her life here and gave

birth to her sons Luv, Kush at place now called as Ram

Tirath. The construction of the temple was completed in late

sixteenth century. It was refurbished by the Sikh ruler,

Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1803. The Golden Temple is a two

storied marble structure, with an imposing dome of pure

gold. The architecture of the Golden Temple, is a blend of

Hindu and Muslim styles. The golden dome is meant to

represent an inverted lotus flower. The interior of the temple



is decorated with semi precious stones, frescoes and glass

work.



History of Amritsar

History of Amritsar is really fascinating. The city has been

famous for puissant Sikhs and has legends attached to it.

According to the legend, when the fourth Guru of the Sikhs

Guru Ram Das heard about the healing powers of the pool,

he ordered his son Guru Arjan Dev to erect a temple at the

site. In 1588, the foundations of a city were laid which later

on became an emblem of Sikh culture and history. The city

came to be known as Ramdaspur or Guru Ram Das di Nagri

(city of Guru Ram Das).

The Temple compound was completed in 1601. Historians

say that Mughal emperor Akbar also donated the land close

to the temple after paying off the local Jat farmers. After the

completion of the Temple, Guru Granth Sahib (Also called

Adi Granth), holy book of Sikhs was installed in the Temple.

The Temple became popular as Harmandir (Temple of God).

The traders including Khatris and Aroras were called by Guru

Ji to settle in the vicinity of the Gurudwara. A new town grew

up with the arrival of all these businessmen. Golden

Temple was plundered many times but by God's grace the

Temple got much more offerings from its devotees that

helped in its reconstruction.



History of plunders

Ahmad Shah Durrani forayed the town in the late 18th

century. Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated 100 kilos of gold for

the temple and rebuilt the town. The Temple got its name

from the golden plating on the outer walls.

Amritsar was always threatened from both Muslim and Hindu

rulers. Guru Hargobind bastioned the city and started

accepting offerings in the form of weapons for the security of the Temple. After accession to the throne Salim (younger

son of Akbar) asked Guru Arjan Dev to accept Islam. Guru

refused and got killed by Salim who came to be known as

Emperor Jahangir.

In India's history of freedom struggle, Amritsar has a

significant place. Due to the protests against Rowlatt Act,

British General Dyer imposed a ban on holding meetings. In

the Jallianwala Bagh, without any warning he open fired

thousand of innocent men, women and children who

gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the

Khalsa panth (order of the Khalsa).

Post independence era also brought problems for

Ambarsarias (people inhabiting Amritsar). It was a fight

between the Indian administration and Sikh militant groups.





ATTRACTIONS

1. The Golden Temple

The Golden Temple or 'Hari Mandir', situated in Amritsar,

Punjab, is the most sacred temple of the Sikhs. The site of

the temple was sacred to the Sikhs since the time of the 4th

guru, Ram Das. It is a symbol of the magnificence and

strength of the Sikh people all over the world. All Sikh

people tries to make a visit to the temple and take bath in

holy tank of the temple.

2. Jallian Wala Bagh

This place noted for its most notorious massacre under

British rule. It is 400 meters north of the Golden Temple. TheBritish General Dyer was the Lieutenant Governor of the

province in 1919. He banned all meetings and

demonstrations led by Indians against the economical set

back by World War I. On 13 April 1919, pilgrims poured into





those who died here.

3. Durgiana Temple

The temple is dedicated to goddess Durga and dates back to

16th century. This Hindu temple also draws its share of

visitors. A large temple is dedicated to Hindu deities Laxmi

(The Goddess of wealth) and Narayan. (The Preserver of

Universe). All dignitaries visiting Golden Temple make it a

point to visit Durgiana Temple also.

4. Mata Mandir

This Hindu temple situated at Rani ka Bagh , is similar to the

Mata Vaishno Devi temple at Katra (Jammu). The temple

draws a large number of devotees from far and near.



5. Fort Gobind Garh

In the south-west of the city, has been taken over by the

Indian army and is now off limits. It was built in 1805-09 by

Ranjit Singh, who was also responsible for constructing the

city walls.

6. Ram Bagh

This beautiful garden is named as a tribute to Guru Ram Das,

the founder of the city of Amritsar. It is situated in the new

part of town and has a museum in the summer palace built

by the Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) the Lion of

Punjab. The museum contains weapons dating back to

Mughal times and some portraits of the ruling houses of the

Punjab and a replica of the diamond 'Kohinoor'. To

commemorate the memory of his valour Ram Bagh has a

lively statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh saddled on a horse. It'sclosed on Wednesdays.

7. Ram Thirth

The place gets special mention in the great Hindu epic

'Ramayana'. It is the place where Maharshi Valmiki gave

shelter to Sita , wife of Rama when she was abandoned after

the Lanka Victory. It was here that she gave birth to the

twins Lav- Kush. There is a temple here.

8. Taren Taran



It is an important Sikh tank about 25km south of Amritsar.

There's a temple, which predates Amritsar, and a tower on

the east side of the tank, which was also constructed by

Ranjit Singh. It's said that any leper who can swim across the

tank will be miraculously cured.

Places to visit around Amritsar

Amritsar is located in the heart of the state of Punjab in

India. Some of the important cities in Punjab are located

near Amritsar. Among the nearby cities, the most frequentlyvisited cities are Jallandhar, Ambala, Ludhiana and

Chandigarh. The cities mentioned here are commercial hubs.

You can visit Wagah Border that is located very near to

Amritsar. Many buses connect Amritsar to Wagah Border and

hundreds of visitors visit the place to have panoramic views

of the nearby landscape of Pakistan. Some people visit

Wagah Border in nostalgic mood to remember the partition.

Anandpur Sahib and Kirtpur Sahib are another famous

Gurudwaras near Amritsar. While journeying to Himachal

Pradesh or Punjab, most of the Sikhs take a stoppage to visit

these holy shrines.





General Information

Location : Himachal Pradesh.

Altitude : 2,159m.

Best Time : April To August & December To

January.

Scenic Beauty : The Mall, Christ Church, Kufri,

Narkanda.

Activities : Skiing, Fishing, Golfing & Trekking

Shimla Resorts

Shimla (also spelt as 'Simla') derives its name from goddess

'Shayamla Devi', which is another manifestation of Goddess

Kali. The capital of Himachal Pradesh came into light when

the British discovered it in 1819. Till then, it was a part of the

Nepalese kingdom. In 1864 Shimla was declared as the

summer capital of India. After Independence, Shimla became

the capital of Punjab and was later named the capital of

Himachal Pradesh. In 1903 a rail line was constructed

between Kalka and Shimla.

Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties, one

can think of. Dwelling on a panoramic location, the hilly town

is surrounded by green pastures and snow-capped peaks.

The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures



made during the colonial era create an aura, which is very

different from other hill stations.

Bulging at its seams with unprecedented expansion, Shimla

retains its colonial heritage, with grand old buildings, among

them are the stately Viceregal Lodge, charming iron lamp

posts and Anglo-Saxon names. The Mall, packed with shops

and eateries, is the centre of attraction of the town, and

Scandal Point, associated with the former Maharaja of

Patiala's escapades, offers a view of distant snowclad peaks.

Shimla's Heritage Walks

Shimla is one of the few places in the world where an

enormous amount of history and heritage has been distilled

into such a small place in so short a time. The town came

into being in the first quarter of the 19th century and some

four decades later, became the "Summer Capital' of British

India. Till the coming of India's independence in 1947,

momentous events and memorable architecture packed the

town.

Today, the colonial order is gone, but its architectural

bequest is now a part of the legacy for a free India. And the

seven hills of Shimla hold a variety of architectural styles

from all over the world- made all the more distinctive, for

manstructural elements are local. In addition, the town has

one of the longest stretches of purely pedestrian road and



shopping anywhere in the world - the Mall. Shimla also holds

what may well be the Earth's only 'urban forest'.

Shimla's Seven Hill Attractions

The seven hills of Shimla are - Prospect Hill in Western

Shimla, which has the temple of Kamna Devi; Summer Hill in

Western Shimla, which has the campus of the Himachal

Pradesh University; Observatory Hill in Western Shimla,

which holds the estate of the Indian Institute of Advanced

Study; Invererarm in Western Shimla, whose top has theState Museum; Bantony in central Shimla, which has the

Grand Hotel; Jakhoo in central Shimla, which is crowned by

the temple indicated to Lord Hanuman, and Elysium in north-

western Shimla, which holds Auckland House and Longwood

and reaches out towards the Bharari spur.

Shimla's Malls

As the town of Shimla grew through the 19th century, its

Mall steadily developed as the town's commercial street and

the hub of its social life. The road, which some 5-km in

length, starts in the west at the gates of he former Viceregal

Lodge , the present day Indian Institute of Advanced Study

and ends at Chhota Shimla or 'Small' Shimla, in the east.

The route has bends, as one would expect any hill road to

have, ut its nature essentially follows a wide sweeping curve



along the hills. The primary aspect is south facing and

affords a view of the valley below the town and of the

foothills that reach out to the plains from its habitation. In

pockets, snatches of the northern aspect spring up for a

dramatic view and hold woods of Pine and Himalayan Cedar -

the majestic Deodar. This picture of nature's bounty is

framed by the distant snow ranges of the Greater Himalaya.



SHOPPING

A Colonial Supermarket With Indian Lifestyles

A major determinant of the town character and social ethos,

the mall has modified its colonial and rather snooty

ambience to reflect the Indian market centric lifestyle. Yet,

the original colonial architecture, somewhat crumbling,

somewhat forlorn and yet, almost unforgivingly still its spine,

the street remains the town's social hub and for many, also

its economic core. There is hardly a person who lives in

Shimla who regards his day as complete without a daily

salute to its tarmac or an evening promenade.

A Heritage Zone

There is hardly a visitor who will not rush there on his very

first day in town. Its stores may be expensive in comparisonwith the lower bazaar that runs parallel to the mall some

metre below, but yet this street is perhaps one of the most

visible reflections of the principle of democracy anywhere in

the world. This, perhaps, is born out of the fact that this

stretch remains one of the longest stretches of open public

road anywhere in the world that is lined with stores and

where motor vehicles are not allowed through its core. Only

select cars, ambulances and fire engines may ply through

the street.



ATTRACTIONS

1. Annandale

Annandale, just 2-km below the Ridge in Shimla, offers a

picturesque piece of ground, charmingly adapted for

recreation in the days of the Raj. Today it affords a pleasant

change from the perpetual slopes above.

2. Chadwick Falls

Beyond the Summer Hill and 7-km west of the ridge from

Shimla are the Chadwick Falls, which was once the site of a

67-m aquatic spectacle.

3. Chapslee

Containing the comfortable elegance of an English country

manor, Chapslee was originally built in 1835.

4. Christ Church And St Michael'S Cathedral

The most prominent building on the Mall is the yellow Christ

Church, reputed to be the second oldest church in northern

India. The silhouette of this can be seen on the skyline for

miles around. It was designed by Colonel JT Boileau in 1844,



but consecrated only after 1857. The clock was donated by

Colonel Dumbleton in 1860, and the porch added in 1873.

5. Churdhar Sanctuary

The sanctuary got its name from the Chur Peak, on the top

of which sits a majestic status of Lord Shiva. One is sure to

come across a large number of multi-coloured and agile

Monals in the adjoining forests.

6. Gurkha Castles The Gurkha castles in Solan, Sirmour, Bilaspur and Shimla

districts remind us of the life and time under the Gurkha

regime. While most of the structures built by the Gurkhas

have crumbled, the remaining few beckon tourists.

7. Hatkoti

Some 105-km east of Shimla, in Jubbal Tehsil on the banks of

the river Pabbar, lays the mysterious valley of stone temples

Hatkoti. Close by stands a small village by the name of

Parhaat.

8. Jakhu Temple

No visit to the state capital Shimla is complete without

visiting Jakhu Hill. This hill looms over Shimla town and is the

geographical nucleus. The Hanuman temple at the top of

Jakhu hill is the highest point in town.



9. Jeep Safari In Himachal Pradesh

By jeep, car or on motorcycle, one can explore the variety

Himachal has to offer. By jeep, the Trans Himalayan tracts

can steadily unfold their natural and man-made wonders.

10. Karyali LakeIn district Shimla,Karyali Lake lies on the northern face of the

peak of Chhoti Shali.

11. Kotesvara Temple

The Kotesvara (also spelt as Kotesvar) temple is a

magnificient structure dedicated to Shiva who is represented

there in the form of 'Shivalinga'.

12. Shirigul Temple

One of the oldest and the most important temples of Shirigul

are situated on the Chur Dhar Peak.

13. Tattapani

On the right banks of the river Satluj, is Tattapani famous for

its hot sulphur springs. The place also has religious



importance. These natural sulphur springs are invigorating

and have curative values.

14. The Ridge

The large open space in the heart of town presents excellent

view of the mountain ranges. Shimla's landmarks - the Neo-

Gothic structure of Christ Church and the new - Tudor Library

building is worth seeing

15. Viceregal Lodge

On the Observatory Hills is located Viceregal Lodge, which is

also known as Rashtrapati Niwas. This magnificent building

was the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin

16. War Memorial

Just over 2-kms from Gandhi Chowk is Martyr's Memorial at

Panjpulla (five bridges), which commemorates Ajit Singh, a

supporter of Subhash Bose and the Indian national Army

during World War II.

Places to visit around Shimla

1. Dagshai

Another little cantonment at an altitude of 1,925m just 19-

km from Kasauli, it is accessible by a link road, which diverts



from Dhrampur. Dagshai is perched on a small hill and

comprisse of a military public school and numerous military

barracks

2. Daranghati Sanctuary

Daranghati sanctuary located in the upper area of Shimla

District, has undisturbed forest area with plenty of wildlife

and was notified on 27th March 1974. The total covered area

of this sanctuary is 16740 hectares.

3. Dharampur, Shimla

Just 15-km from Kasauli on the National Highway No.22,

Dharampur is situated. Amidst the healthy air of the fragrant

pines, Dharampur has one of the best hospitals in India for

the cure of tuberculosis. It is also connected by Kalka-Shimla

railway line.

4. Fagu

Situated on Hindustan-Tibet Road (22-km), at a height of

2,450m Fagu is gifted with some enchanting views.

5. Himalayan Aviary

Close to the Viceregal lodge is the Himalayan Aviary or the

Himalayan Bird Park. This park is a natural habitat of

numerous species of birds found in Himachal such as



Himalayan Monal, Pheasants, Peafowls and National Bird of

India, the Peacock.

TRANSPORT

By Air

The Jubbarhatti airport is 23-km from Shimla and major

domestic airlines cater their services from here to Shimla.

One can catch direct flights from Delhi.

By Road

Roads connect the capital city of Himachal with other places

in the state as well as other major towns and cities. There isregular bus service from Delhi and Chandigarh as well as

ordinary; semi deluxe, deluxe and AC coaches for Shimla are

available too. One can also cross over to Leh and Ladakh via

Rohtang pass from here.

By Rail

Shimla has a narrow gauge railway line on which toy train

runs from Kalka to Shimla. The train cruises its way through

valleys and beautiful landscapes at a very slow pace making

the journey very pleasant. From Kalka one can take trains to



other parts of the country. The Toy train from Shimla is of

two types - one is the normal multi coach train and the other

is the single car train, which has a glass roof giving an

enthralling experience during the journey.



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Amritsar Shimla 23 Pages