The State of Punjab is a state of mind. The youngest major religion in the world glitters like gold and attracts followers from all over the world.

Summers have come in early and temperatures are touching 40 degrees. The marble floor of Sri Harmandir Sahib is hot enough to make everyone walk on the mats placed to protect your feet from getting burnt. The path leading to the main entrance of Golden temple is now a walking path laid out with red sandstone marble. The fountain placed before the main entrance calms your mind and prepares you for a spiritual journey like none other.

Standing at the entrance people take moment before they can absorb the beauty of Golden temple built in the centre of the Sarovar.

The whole place is run by volunteers who take out time from their daily lives to keep the place running like clockwork. From taking your shoes to serving water and keeping the place spic and span, they do it all. It is this Seva towards people which separates them from all.

Sikh people are very hard working and thus have done very well all over the world.

The best time to visit is early in the morning around 5 am. It is peaceful and simply mesmerizing. Tourist generally visit during day and then head of to Wagha border

Wagha border in the evening where most of the people head, be ready to be awestruck by the show put up by both Border Security Force and Pakistani Army. I’ve been there a couple of times, and each time my respect and love for the armed forces deepen. The experience stirs something deep inside and helps understand what it means to be an Indian.

What to eat?

Bansal Sweets – For laddoo

Surjit’s Dhaba – Amritsari fish along with many chicken dishes

Ram Lubhaya Aam Papar Wala near Bansal Sweet

Fruit Chaat & Kulfa (even a kulfi is bigger in Punjab)

Kesar Da Dhaba (Best Dal ever)

Kulcha land – Best Amritsari Kulche

Bharawan Da Dhaba – Veg food near Golden Temple

And much more …

Where to shop?

Hall Bazaar

Katra Jaimal Singh Bazaar