Bade Bhai Ka Brothers Dhaba near the Town Hall in Amritsar is recommended by many for quality food. During the morning hours, we had a visit and requested them to serve what they think the best food from their menu list for breakfast.

Amritsari Kulcha King Size with butter on top and Channe was served. Hot, less spicy, and excellent in taste.

Cost – Rs. 60 /-.

After breakfast, we had Espresso Coffee (Rs. 30) especially because breakfast was heavy, almost a meal.

I too recommend Bade Bhai Ka Brothers Dhaba near the Town Hall in Amritsar (Punjab).

The shop opens from 7 am till late night hours.

During the Heritage walk morning hours conducted by Davinder Singh (a man with a white turban), we reached Jalebiwala chowk (Katra Ahluwalia) and a halt to taste famous desi ghee jalebi from a very famous shop running since 1956 from 9 am till 10 pm.

280 rupees per kilogram – The cost. But for an individual, Rs. 10 for a few jalebis served in pattal plates (leaf plates).

Crispy, hot, and sweet. Though they serve various sweet items, jalebi is the most famous one. One should visit to have a few.

Davinder Singh further enhanced our knowledge – Katra Ahluwalia chowk is the location from where for the first time people’s agitation against the Rowlatt Act started on 9th March 1919.

Great – said I. Thanks for sharing knowledge.

After one or two days I re-visited Gurdas Ram shop during the morning hours to have a few more desi ghee jalebi.

Amritsar, the holy city is the place of world renowned Golden Temple, Jalianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple, Wagah International border post and famous for Hosiery, Fabrics, Dry fruits etc.
The origin of the City lies with Guru Ram Das The fourth Sikh Guru, who purchased the land of Amritsar and laid foundation of the City in 1573 AD.
The Harimandir Sahib is open on all four sides symbolizing that it is open for one and all. The Goldness of Harimander Sahib was contributed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1765-1849) and thus it became world famous as Golden Temple.
Jalianwala Bagh is known for the massacre in the walled garden to prevent the people’s agitation against Rowlatt Act in 1919.
Amritsar has very old rail network. The rail link between Lahore-Amritsar started in 1859 and was connected to Calcutta in 1866.
Amritsar Station building was constructed in 1859. The Building is the fine example of brick masonry and horse shoe type Arches.

Fateh Diwas is celebrated each year the next day after Diwali (also known as ‘Bandi Chhor Diwas‘) festival at a ground behind Shaheed Ganj Gurudwara near Amritsar Railway Station. We visited via Cycle Rickshaw during the afternoon hours.

Golden Temple to Shaheed Ganj Gurudwara (Islamabad road) we paid Rs. 30 Cycle Rickshaw fare.

Nihang organizations from all over Punjab visit in large numbers with horses, elephants, and vehicles to participate in the celebration. We met Malkeet Singh – a Nihang from Kapurthala (Punjab). Even women are Nihangs known as Singhani.

Upon query about the event, Malkeet Singh shared the knowledge as follows:

We all know the Indian Army and its grand parade during Republic Day. Just like that, the ‘Khalsa Fauj‘ parade is held the next day after the Diwali festival to celebrate the return of Guru Hargobind ji from Gwalior fort to Amritsar. Fateh Diwas was started after 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. It is also known as ‘Akal Purakh ki Fauj.’ Akal means Parmatma i.e., God.

Nihangs were provided with five kakaars.
1. Kada 2. Kachhera 3. Kesh 4. Lakkad da Kanga 5. Kirpan

Nihang is having various meanings, but a few are:
– The one who is not proud
– The Warrior

The celebration was about to start. Malkeet’s wish was to leave to join. Thank you very much – said I. Knowledge enhanced.

The celebration started at 2 pm and continued till late evening hours. Nihangs with their traditional weapons and horses display martial art as well as horse-riding skills. A few Nihangs I saw standing straight over one or two running horses. Amazing skills. All I can say is it was my first experience of such a traditional celebration. One should visit once to watch.

Click to learn more about ‘Golden Temple’.

‘Daal Roti Ghar Di, Diwali Amritsar Di‘ – This famous saying is so true. Though I/We all have celebrated Diwali since childhood, visiting the Golden Temple on Diwali night is so special. The lighting, langar, shabad kirtan, and a large number of devotees from many parts of the World – a very special day. The fireworks started at 7:00 pm and finished at 7:30 pm.

This day is also known as ‘Bandi Chhor Diwas‘.

One of the best views is from the terrace of Hotel Sapphire. Upon request, they allowed us.

One should visit at least once Golden Temple, especially on Diwali night.

Free Soft Drinks Distribution on Diwali Day near Golden Temple – This photo was taken near Shri Guru Gobind Singh N.R.I. Yatri Niwas in Amritsar (Punjab).

We booked a prepaid sharing taxi one day in advance via the prepaid booth near Golden Temple for Rs. 100 per person. The next day was Diwali festival day we started our journey near Golden Temple at 2:30 pm and reached the Attari-Wagah Border at 3:45 pm.

Golden Temple to Attari-Wagah Border is 32 Km approx. journey.

Total journey/travel time from Golden Temple to Attari-Wagah Border – 1 hour 15 minutes.

At 3:50 pm we were in the queue at Wagah Border BSF check-post. By 4:15 pm we were near the stands.

Please note: Gutkha, Bidi, Cigarette, Lighters, or any type of bag are not allowed after the BSF check-post. Only a camera is allowed in hand. We were carrying a camera case. A local person approached us and requested us to deposit camera case at a makeshift locker under a tree. He provided his mobile number and locker number on a piece of paper. Charges – Rs. 30/-. After the ceremony, we collected the bag.

Attari-Wagah Border Flag Lowering Ceremony started at 4:30 pm first with visitor’s participation and later by BSF. By 5:30 pm the ceremony ends. By 6:30 pm we reached nearby Golden temple via the same shared taxi.

In words, it is difficult at least for me to write the experience. It is a patriotic feeling which can be felt only if you are visiting Attari-Wagah Border. One should visit at least once.

No one can touch the border of this country, whose eyes are the guardians of the border.

(Patriotic Quote for India – This photo was taken at Attari/Wagah Border in Punjab)