I love being a Punjabi and more than that I love showing off my one of my home States. So, this friend wanted to seek some inner peace and when asked I was more than happy to be the tour guide. As traditions go, I have made my list of things I want to accomplish this year and trust me there is no better way to start it with some magic of your own. So, kick start another year with some excitement.
I love impromptu trips, don't you? The fact is that they are so liberating and it amazes me why most people don't do it. I mean I for one am a case of OCD when it comes to travel but sometimes it's so good to let go. To do whatever the fuck you want do (pardon my french) but it's fantastic. As we adult, our lives becomes so mundane, we crib when we are busy and crib when we are not. There are days when I am so busy that there is hardly time to pee to days when I think I might as well invent a time machine. Call it karma but whenever I am down in the dumps I ricochet back with so much gusto, I surprise myself but then again, that's who I am.
Anyway, since I was a travel guide I might as well impart some tips here too. Pro tip no 1: Choose any day to plan a trip and just roll with it. Trust me, things just work out on their own. Also, do not tell your relatives you are visiting because they WILL take things over and even though that's great but sometimes you need to explore a place your way.
I love impromptu trips, don't you? The fact is that they are so liberating and it amazes me why most people don't do it. I mean I for one am a case of OCD when it comes to travel but sometimes it's so good to let go. To do whatever the fuck you want do (pardon my french) but it's fantastic. As we adult, our lives becomes so mundane, we crib when we are busy and crib when we are not. There are days when I am so busy that there is hardly time to pee to days when I think I might as well invent a time machine. Call it karma but whenever I am down in the dumps I ricochet back with so much gusto, I surprise myself but then again, that's who I am.
Anyway, since I was a travel guide I might as well impart some tips here too. Pro tip no 1: Choose any day to plan a trip and just roll with it. Trust me, things just work out on their own. Also, do not tell your relatives you are visiting because they WILL take things over and even though that's great but sometimes you need to explore a place your way.
Amritsar has won the hearts of many anyways, the streets filled with the aroma of food tantalizing your senses, to just the flurry of people that walk the roads. It's a perfect mix of the religion and the explosive vibe of being Punjabi. It overwhelms you initially but once you are there, it becomes home. The trip started off well, and off we went to be a little more spiritual. I mean imagine waking up to a view like this everyday. Sigh! Double Sigh!
There aren't many places to visit but the ones you have to are - Harmandir Sahib ( Golden Temple) BIG DUH!!, next to which is Jallianwala Bagh, associated with the Indian Freedom Movement and is of great historical value. There is a light and sound show and you can still see the bullet holes *goosebumps*. Now this place always makes my heart sink so I tend to rather spend hours in the gurudwara than visit this place. Just sitting for hours near the waterfront and introspecting is one of the best things you can do for your soul. If you do manage to spend an entire day there, stay till night and witness a beauty like no other. Other places to visit are the Durgiana mandir (which is actually Laxmi narayan temple) but there are a cluster of temples around it which you can go to as well. It's almost built on the same architectural concept as that of the Golden Temple so it's a beauty too. You can also visit Mandir Mata Lal Devi, Gobindgarh Fort, and Chand Baori, see now my mom's childhood was spent in Amritsar and so I know these places well and know all the stories associated with them and am super fun with anecdotes, which is a must for a successful travel guide ;). Also, there is a place called Sadda Pind, which is almost like the growing trend of tourist destinations, so unless you've never really truly seen a pind, go.
What you must not miss is the Wagah border's lowering of the flag ceremony (also arrange for the VIP passes beforehand if you do not want to suffer). It's located at the India-Pakistan Attari Border and around 30 kms from Amritsar city. This place gives you the kind of goosebumps you've never experienced. I become so patriotic in the snap of a finger. It's just the vibe of the entire place makes you feel alive and brings in you that fight and honour (also the HOT as fuck army men don't make it easy either), one of mamu and mami are army doctors and the visit to their base is almost an orgasm fest. Anyhow, coming back to the topic, Wagah border is an experience in it self and you cannot explain it in words so best if you visit.Take time out especially for it and stop over at the Sarhad Resturant for some good food and some seriously great decor.
When in Amritsar, eat everything Amritsari under the sun and trust me you will not regret it. The taste of the food is so authentic that as you begin to eat it, punjabi starts rolling off your tongue :p. Also, when in Punjab how can you not SHOP. Go crazy over phulkari ( love it) and I think did go crazy and a tad bit overboard but who cares. My State, my rules :p. Even though short trips are satisfying they bring you immense joy in just a matter of days.
Now that I think about it, even though it was someone else's journey, I came back and brought peace along with me.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
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