Crowd Outside Soft Drinks Shop near Golden Temple – This photo was taken near the Golden Temple in Amritsar (Punjab).
We were two. I was clicking pictures and my friend was at the soft drinks shop counter to buy two soft drink bottles, but soon the shop shutter was down, and it was closed. Maybe it is a temporary closure because of too much rush at the counter. After waiting for a few minutes, we finally returned empty-handed.
During the Heritage Walk conducted by Davinder Singh, we reached Gurudwara Saragarhi – The only Gurudwara built by the British in Amritsar. We also saw 21 Sikh Non-Commissioned Officers’ names (who fought against 10,000 soldiers) on a memorial tablet.
Thanks to Davinder Singh for enhancing my knowledge.
Street food few times too good to resist. Amritsar is one such city having numerous street food stalls. We stopped at Katra Ahluwalia Chowk opposite Dominos to have a Tikki burger as an Evening snack in Amritsar prepared by the owner himself – Mr. Sanjay Kumar.
Rs. 20 – The cost of a Tikki burger is good for a budget traveler and tastes beyond imagination. Thank you, brother – said I.
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 is 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 at Gurdas Ram – a very famous shop running since 1956 from 9 am till 10 pm to taste famous desi ghee jalebi.
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 your knowledge.
After one or two days, I re-visited Gurdas Ram’s shop during the morning hours to have a few more desi ghee jalebi.
Click to learn more about Amritsar Railway Station.
Fateh Diwas is celebrated each year the next day after Diwali (also known as ‘Bandi Chhor Divas‘) festival at a ground behind Shaheed Ganj Gurudwara near Amritsar Railway Station. We visited via Cycle Rickshaw during the afternoon hours.
Golden Temple to the 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 has 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.