Golden Temple, The Pool of Nectar, Hari Mandir Sahib

Whats This? Golden Temple also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib or Sri Darbar Sahib is the significant place of worship of the Sikhs and one of the oldest Sikh gurdwaras. The city of Amritsar was built around the Golden Temple and the Amrit Sarovar lake, from which it derives its name. Surrounded by a fortified wall with eighteen gates, the temple complex has its main north entrance under a Victorian clock tower known as the Darshani Deori. The entrance is up a flight of steps and down again to the temple and holy tank. Located in the city of Amritsar, it was established by Guru Ram Das, the fourth guru of the Sikhs and the city that it was built in, is also due to the shrine, known as "Guru Di Nagri" meaning city of the Sikh Guru.

Located Where? Amritsar is a big town with a population of about one million. It is a major trade centre.It is located in the Majha region of the Punjab. Majha is also known as the Bari Doab, since it is the Doab (Do = two, ab = rivers) or the (fluvial) tract of land which lies between two of the five great rivers of the province, the Ravi and the Beas. The temple is surrounded by a large Sarovar (manmade lake), known as the AmritSar (Lake of Holy Water or Immortal Nectar).

How do we Reach There? Sri Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple is reachable by all major links. It is reachable by air, by road and by train. Amritsar has a major train junction operated by the Indian Railways and an international bus terminal operated by the Department of Transport, Punjab which is equipped with most modern amenities. The fastest way for international tourist to reach Harmandir Sahib would be to travel by air. The holy city has a modern airport called Raja Sansi International Airport and Guru Ram Das International Airport. The airport receives international flights from Europe, North America and Central Asia. Most major world cities including London, Tashkent and Toronto are also linked by air with Amritsar. The capital city of India, New Delhi is about 300 miles from Amritsar.

Best time to visit : The Golden Temple, and the city of Amritsar itself, are best visited in the winter. The months between November and March are pleasant (even cold), although the summer can get blisteringly hot.

Major Attractions: The Harmandir Sahib possesses a fine collection of jewellery and valuable articles of considerable artistic and historical importance:
GOLDEN DOOR PANELS - There are four pairs of them.

GOLDEN CANOPY - The canopy studded with precious jewels, is an object of exquisite workmanship and great artisitic value.

JEWELLED HEAD-BAND- It is a gift from Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It was prepared for the marriage of the son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, at the time of marriage. The Maharaja presented it to the Harmandir Sahib.

Around Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) places that you can visit are:
AKAL TAKHAT: Built by the Sixth Master Guru Hargobind. A number of weapons used by Guru Hargobind, Guru Gobind Singh and other Sikh heroes are preserved at Akal Takhat

BABA ATAL: A nine-storeyed tower, built in memory of Atal Rai (D. 1628), son of Guru Hargobind, is called Baba Atal. Atal Rai died at nine. He was called 'Baba' (an old man) head over young shoulders. The tower was built between 1778 and 1784 & is 108 ft. height.

GURU KA LANGAR: Cooked food is serviced in the kitchen of the Golden Temple 24 hours to all visitors irrespective of religion, caste, creed and nationality. The expenses are met out of the Temple funds. Approximately 40,000 visitors share the meals everyday presently.

SRI GURU RAM DAS NIWAS: The Niwas is a free hostel for the pilgrims maintained by the Temple authorities. It has been built by the Gurdwara Committee. It has 228 rooms and 18 big halls. Unlike the ordinary 'Dharamsalas' (place to stay) the Niwas supplies the facilities of free beddings, cots, lights and fans etc. to the lodgers. A lodger is not generally allowed to stay here for more than three days at a time. The doors of the hostels are open to all.Other places where visitors can stay comfortably are Guru Nanak Niwas, Akal Rest House, Guru Hargobind Niwas, Gur Arjan Dev Niwas.

CENTRAL SIKH MUSEUM: Central Sikh Museum has paintings of Sikh Gurus, Saints, Sikh warriors and other prominent Sikh leaders who have contributed a lot to the enhancement of Sikh Religion.

The Jallianwala Bagh: is situated in the northern Indian city of Amritsar where, on April 13, 1919, British Indian Army soldiers under the command of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer opened fire on an unarmed gathering of men, women and children. The firing lasted about 10 minutes and 1650 rounds were fired, or 33 rounds per soldier.Located at the outskirts of the Golden Temple the garden reminds one of the martyrs who lost their lives to bring India its freedom.

Wagah Border: Wagah is the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan, and lies on the Grand Trunk Road between the cities of Amritsar, India and Lahore, Pakistan. The Wagah border is a ceremonial border where each evening, there is a ceremony called 'lowering of the flags'. At that time there is very energetic and thrilling parade done by Border Security Force (B.S.F), India and Pakistan Rangers soldiers. It may seem slightly aggressive to foreigners, but it really is just entertainment for the crowds from both sides. Border officers from the two countries sometimes walk over to the offices on the other side for day to day affairs. A bus service operating within the partitioned state of Punjab between Amritsar and Lahore was started in 2004, as relations between the two countries improve.

Mosque at Fatehabad: With flowers as the motif, the mosque is built 40 kilometers away from the Golden Temple. It is immensely popular with the tourists for its brilliant architecture.

Summer place of Maharaja Ranjit Singh: If luxury is the word then it is synonymous to the summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The grandeur and the area of the palace bears testimony to the world of comfort that the Maharajas enjoyed during their reigns.

There are other places of interest as well that one can visit around the Golden Temple, they are:

Dukh Bhanjni Ber (Jujube Tree)
Thara Sahib
Ber Baba Budha Ji
Gurdwara llachi Ber
Ath Sath Tirath (Sixty eight holy places condensed into one)
Gurdwara Shaheed Bunga Baba Deep Singh

General Info / Tips: One can offer prayers at the Golden temple, take strolls in the surrounding lawns of the temple; listen to the enchantment of the hymns and devotional songs performed in the temple, can shop at the numerous stores surrounding the Golden Temple. Phulkaris (embroidered materials), woodcarvings, woolen garments, shoes and various food items are available at all the shopping corners of the city.

City of Dreams - Mumbai (Bombay)

Let me take you to the 'City of Dreams', Mumbai (Bombay)- the glamour of Bollywood cinema, shopping malls, families eating bhelpuri on the beach at Chowpatty, red double-decker buses, a city with vibrant streetlife, India's best nightlife, and a wealth of bazaars.

Located Where? Mumbai is located on Salsette Island which lies at the mouth of Ulhas River off the western coast of India in the coastal region known as the Konkan. Most of Mumbai is at sea level and the average elevation ranges from 10 to 15 metres.

How do we Reach There? By Air - Mumbai has a vast infrastructure of rail, road & airways. It has the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (Sahar) and the domestic terminal (Santa Cruz) are 30km (19mi) and 26km (16mi) respectively from downtown Mumbai.

By Rail - Two railway systems operate out of Mumbai. Central Railways handles services to the east and south, plus a few trains to the north. Western Railways has services to the north from Churchgate and Central stations. Trains travel frequently between Mumbai and Agra, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Pune and Varanasi.The local railway that runs inside the city is one of the dependable ways of communication.

Best time to visit : The best time to explore Mumbai is between the months of September and April, when the weather is relatively dry and cool. The monsoon season begins from June to September. January is the coolest month, though 12°C (53°F) is about as low as it goes. March and October tend to swelter, with temperatures rising as high as 38°C (100°F). Extreme climate, from April to mid-June falling to almost freezing at night in winter, between November and February. Summers are hot with monsoons between June and September. The climate is pleasant between October and March, blast-furnace hot between April and June, and dripping with humidity between July and September.
Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens in summer with warmer clothes in winter and on cooler evenings. Waterproofing is essential during monsoons. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June and September.

Major Attractions : Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum) near Kalaghoda- Mumbai's biggest and best museum displaying a mixed bag of dusty exhibits from all over India. Opened in 1923 to commemorate King George V's first visit to India (back in 1905, while he was still Prince of Wales), the vast collection inside includes impressive Hindu and Buddhist sculpture, terracotta figurines from the Indus Valley, miniature paintings, porcelain and some particularly vicious weaponry. You can take advantage of the free, multilanguage audio guides as not everything is labelled.

Chowpatty Beach in Charni Road- A favourite spot for full experience by strolling through the many beachside stalls for some bhelpuri or a head massage. The water is not the cleanest but the beach is litter-free, patrolled by lifeguards and lit up at night. Visiting Chowpatty in the evening is an essential part of any trip to Mumbai.

Marine Drive (Chowpatty)- is one Mumbai's most popular promenades and sunset-watching spots. It's twinkling night-time lights earned it the nickname 'the Queen's Necklace'.Chowpatty Beach remains a favourite evening spot for courting couples, families, political rallies and anyone out to enjoy what passes for fresh air. Eating an evening time bhelpuri at the throng of stalls found here is an essential part of the Mumbai experience.

Colaba (Churchgate)- a bustling district packed with street stalls, markets, bars and budget to midrange lodgings. While you're here, it's worth popping into the 1847 Church of St John the Evangelist, known as the Afghan Church. Nearby Colaba Market (Lala Nigam St) has plenty of activity and colour and is lined with jewellery shops and fruit and veg stalls.

Gateway of India (Colaba, Churchgate)- was built to commemorate the 1911 royal visit of King George V. The gateway is a favourite gathering spot for locals and a top spot for people-watching. Boats depart from the gateway's wharfs for Elephanta Island and Mandwa. You can also take a joy-ride on the boat for a local trip round the gateway. You can see the famous Taj Mahal hotel opposite the gateway of India. Here you can ride in a Victoria - one of the horse-drawn gilded carriages known as Ghoda-Gaadi in the local language. Some distance away is the Fashion Street where you can bargain for some fashionable & trendy day to day clothes, jewellery, shoes.

Elephanta Island (by boat from Gateway of India) - Every day except Monday, tourist boats head out from the Gateway of India to this magnificent island, home to the most famous cave temples in Maharashtra. Carved into the solid rock of the island are a series of ornate Shaivite temples, covered in ornate carvings of Hindu deities.
The centrepiece of the complex is a monumental statue of Mahesh Murti, depicting Shiva as the creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe.Boats to Elephanta leave the Gateway of India regularly between 09:00 and 14:30 and the fare is around Rs90.00 on an economy boat or Rs110.00 on a deluxe boat. The last return service from Elephanta leaves around 17:30 . On the way, check out the giant freighters in Mumbai Harbour. The Elephanta Festival is a classical dance and music event on Elephanta Island. One can give a visit as an excursion trip just few kilometers away from the beach. This festival is usually held in the month February.

Museum Ship Vikrant (Mumbai Harbour)- Built in 1945 and bought by the Indian Navy in 1957, the massive aircraft carrier INS Vikrant now serves as a fascinating museum. Admission includes the ferry ride out to the ship, then a walk through the various quarters, the hold (displaying diving bells, submarines and various aircraft) and finally the enormous deck with take-off and landing strip. Tickets are available from the booking offices near the Gateway.

Jehangir Art Gallery (MG Rd, Kala Ghoda)- The Jehangir Art Gallery is one of Mumbai's principal commercial galleries, hosting interesting weekly shows by Indian artists; most works are for sale. Rows of hopeful local artists often display their work on the pavement outside this gallery.

Haji Ali Mosque (Mahalaxmi)- Floating like a sacred mirage off the coast, the Haji Ali Mosque is one of Mumbai's most striking shrines. Built in the 19th century, it contains the tomb of the Muslim saint Haji - legend has it that Haji Ali died while on a pilgrimage to Mecca and his casket miraculously floated back to this spot.

Mahalaxmi Racecourse (Mahalaxmi)- Mumbai's horse-racing season runs from November to the end of April. Races are held on Sunday and Thursday afternoons (Saturday and Sunday towards the end of the season) at Mahalaxmi Racecourse. Big races, such as the Indian Derby in February, are major social occasions.

Kamala Nehru Park- At the top of Mumbai's Malabar Hill where the elite have built their plush modern palaces is Kamala Nehru Park, the hangout of the bourgeois middle class. It has little to offer by way of entertainment, apart from a "Old Woman's Shoe" relegated to a distant corner, but the view of the city is spectacular and unmissable. Its a vantage point that casts a proud eye on the entire city.

Hanging Gardens- Perched at the top of Malabar Hill, on its western side, just opposite the Kamala Nehru Park, these terraced gardens, also known as Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens, provide lovely sunset views over the Arabian Sea. The park was laid out in the early 1880s over Bombay's main reservoir, some say to cover the water from the potentially contaminating activity of the nearby Towers of Silence.

Mumbai Zoo (Byculla)- The Mumbai Zoo is remarkably well-maintained. The animals are a little few and far between, with the few local species in large cages including crocs, elephants, rhinos and a few bored lions. There's a small playground, and it's generally a popular place for families and couples to meander.

Nehru Centre & Nehru Planetarium (Dr Annie Besant Rd, Worli)- The most striking thing about the Nehru Centre & Nehru Planetarium cultural complex, which includes a decent planetarium and the serpentine-but-interesting history exhibition Discovery of India is the bold modern architecture of the buildings. The tower looks like a giant cylindrical pineapple, the planetarium a UFO. There's also a theatre here.

�Juhu Beach (Santacruz)- Like Chowpatty, uptown Juhu Beach is also a bourgeois paradise, filled to the gills with screaming children, courting couples and rowdy adolescents. If you want a more fancy excursion, however, retreat behind Juhu's many five star hotels, for a steaming cup of coffee and a splendid view of the coast. The most popular of these beachfront hotels are the Sun and Sand and Holiday Inn. The government run Juhu Centaur also has a 24 hour coffee shop with a view of the sea. You can also visit the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple (Iskon temple) which is closeby & famous for the Radha-Krishna sculpture.

Esselworld (Borivili)- This is Mumbai's only international-style theme park and amusement centre situated close to Gorai Beach. Special ferries get you across to the park and the entrance fee normally takes care of a fixed number of rides. These include the standard roller coaster and adventure themes, plus a water world section where kids can literally run amok. Summer is usually crowded, but the place also offers low budget monsoon packages and special deals on weekends. Check these out before you go. The famous Waterkingdom (waterpark) is also just besides the Esselworld. You can chose to go between the two.

Precautions : Make sure you book your hotels with reputed travel agents, keeping one's ears and eyes wide open while roaming in an unknown place always pays. It is advisable to keep the belongings well locked and should not left behind carelessly.

People are encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, remain aware of their surroundings, monitor local news reports, avoid crowded places, and take appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. It is highly advised to avoid the beaches for swimming and having sunbath. Visitors should be dressed decently. Avoid littering the beaches or polluting the sea.

General Info / Tips: Local roadside fast food in Mumbai includes vada pav, panipuri, paav bhaji, bhelpuri and golaas a must-have.

Festivals and celebrations are observed by residents of all communities and religions. Diwali, Holi, Christmas, Navratri, Good Friday, Dussera, Moharram, Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja and Maha Shivratri are some of the most popular festivals in the city. The local language spoken is Marathi.

Mumbai is well connected to most parts of India by the Indian Railways. Trains originate from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Mumbai Central, Bandra terminus and Andheri. Mumbai's suburban rail systems carry a total of 6.3 million passengers every day.Most of Mumbai's inhabitants rely on public transport to travel to and from their workplace. Transport systems in Mumbai include the Mumbai Suburban Railway, BEST buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and ferries.

Bollywood is the nickname for the Indian film industry located in Bombay (now known as Mumbai, though Mollywood hasn't quite caught on.) Indians are in love with movies. Mumbai (Bollywood) leads India in film production, its specialty lies with Hindi movies. Bollywood films are being shown in American and British theaters on a more and more frequent basis. These theaters have become community foci for the South Asian communities around the world. Bollywood's film production center is a government-owned studio facility known as "Film City" in the northern suburbs of Mumbai. Bollywood traces its start to 1911 when the first silent Indian feature film was released by D.P. Phalke. The industry boomed and today there are over 250 theaters in Mumbai alone.