Destination:
Amritsar

Tucked away in the estreme north of India is the small town of Amritsar. Though a large city of more than 1 million people, Amritsar is not known for fabulous restaurants or nightlife; people travelling to Amritsar are searching for a more spiritual experience.

Amritsar is the spiritual and cultural heart of the Sikh religion, which has roughly 30 million followers worldwide. This faith is reflected in the day-to-day life of the city: for example, nearly all the restaurants in Amritsar are vegetarian.

The city's name means 'pool of nectar', which pays tribute to Amritsar's most famous attraction, The Golden Temple. The magnificent structure is a pilgrimage site for Sikhs, but welcomes visitors of all faiths. The dormitories nearby offer free food and accommodation to all who enter. Aside from the Golden Temple, there are other attractions in Amritsar worth visiting, including the Jallianwala Bagh gardens, the Mata Hindu Cave Temple, and the museum at the Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Amritsar's location makes it a great base to explore the north of India. A popular and fun excursion is to see the daily international march-off at the closing ceremony of the India-Pakistan border. Travellers armed with visas can explore further into the Pakistani city of Lahore.