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 Jallian Wala
Bagh
This place noted for its
most notorious massacre under British rule. It is 400 meters north of the
Golden Temple. The British 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 Amritsar to celebrate the Baisakhi
festival, a holiday in the Sikh calendar. In the afternoon thousands of
people gathered at Jallian Wala Bagh to celebrate the Baisakhi. This ground
surrounded by high walls on all sides has only a narrow alley for access.
General Dyer personally led the troops to the sight and ordered his men to
open fire without any warning. It resulted in the death of 379 and injured
more than 1200. India was outraged by Dyer's massacre. Gandhiji, called for
a nation wide strike and started the Non-cooperation Movement, which became
an important milestone in the struggle for India's Independence. Today this
ground has been changed to a park and it has a pleasant garden. There is a
narrow path between the houses which leads to the lawn of the park. At the
entrance there is a memorial plaque which recounts the history. There is a
well on the north side in which many people who tried to escape from the
bullets were drowned, and remnants of walls have been preserved to show the
bullet holes. At the east end of the garden there is a large memorial built
in memory of those who died here.
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.
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.
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.
Ram Bagh
This beautiful gardens 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's closed on Wednesdays.
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.
Tarn 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.
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