The Golden Temple, the spiritual heart of the Sikh faith.
Amritsar, in the Indian state of Punjab, is the holiest city of Sikhism and home to the Harmandir Sahib, known to most visitors as the Golden Temple. The temple stands in the middle of a sacred pool, open on all four sides as a sign that people of every faith are welcome.
The city is also central to modern Indian history: the Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place here in 1919, and Amritsar lies close to the border drawn between India and Pakistan at Partition in 1947.
Visitors of every background find the Golden Temple deeply moving, particularly at night and in the early morning, when hymns are sung continuously and the gilded temple is reflected in the pool. The community kitchen, the langar, serves free meals to everyone who comes, prepared and served by volunteers. Add the history of Partition and the border ceremony at Attari–Wagah, and Amritsar makes a powerful addition to a North India trip.
The holiest gurdwara of the Sikhs, open day and night. The upper storeys were covered in gilded copper in the early 19th century under Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
The temple's free community kitchen, where tens of thousands of meals are served each day. Visitors are welcome to eat, and to help in the kitchen.
The walled garden where British troops fired on a peaceful gathering on 13 April 1919, killing hundreds of people. A memorial and museum tell the story.
A museum in the restored Town Hall dedicated to the Partition of 1947, built around the testimonies of people who lived through it. Usually closed on Mondays.
The daily Beating Retreat ceremony at the India–Pakistan border, about 30 km from the city, held shortly before sunset. Timings change with the season and access can be restricted at short notice.
The lanes around the temple, famous for Amritsari kulcha, lassi and Punjabi cooking.
Arrive, visit Jallianwala Bagh and the Partition Museum, then the Golden Temple in the evening when it is lit up.
The temple again in the early morning, the langar and the old city, then the border ceremony in the afternoon.
One night is the minimum, so you can see the Golden Temple both at night and in the morning. Two nights lets you add the border ceremony and the old city without rushing.
October to March. December and January are cold, with fog that can delay trains and flights. April to June is very hot. Major Sikh festivals, such as Gurpurab and Vaisakhi, are memorable but extremely crowded.
Amritsar has an international airport, Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, with flights to Delhi and other cities. Fast trains from Delhi take about six hours, and the drive is about 450 km.
Amritsar is usually reached from Delhi by train or flight, and fits onto a Golden Triangle trip, as in our Delhi Agra Jaipur Tour with Amritsar. It also links with Dharamshala and the hills of Himachal Pradesh, including Shimla.
Opening hours, fees and seasonal conditions change. We confirm current details when we plan your trip.
Yes. The temple welcomes visitors of all faiths at any time of day or night. Cover your head, remove your shoes and follow the simple rules at the entrance.
One night is enough to see the Golden Temple at night and in the morning; two nights lets you add the Attari–Wagah ceremony and the old city at a relaxed pace.
It is held shortly before sunset, so the time changes through the year; in mid-October 2026 the Border Security Force moved it to 5:00–5:30 pm. We confirm the current time and access rules for your date.
Private itineraries you can take as they are or change to suit you.
7 nights / 8 days
Eight days combining the Golden Triangle with Amritsar's Golden Temple and the border ceremony at Wagah.
Price on request, quoted for your group
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