Situated at a distance of 235 kms from Chandigarh, Amritsar in northern Punjab state of northwestern India lies about 15 miles (25 km) east of the border with Pakistan. Amritsar is an important city in Punjab and is a major commercial, cultural, and transportation hub. It is also the centre of Sikhism and the site of the Sikh's principal place of worship. The Rajasansi airport, about 11 kms from town, is connected by domestic flights to Delhi , Srinagar and Chandigarh.

Amritsar, literally a pool of nectar, derives its name from Amrit Sarovar, the holy tank that surrounds the fabulous Golden Temple . First time visitors to Amritsar could be forgiven for the impression that Amritsar is like any other small town in northern India, but Amritsar stands head and shoulders above any other city, its status elevated and sanctified by the presence of the venerable Golden Temple .

Located in the heart of Amritsar, the temple complex is surrounded by a maze of narrow lanes, or katras, that house one of the busiest markets in India. But the Golden Temple is a serene presence, radiating a calm that makes people bow their heads in reverence. The gurudwara, as Sikh temples are called, is the holiest of Sikh shrines. It is not just Sikhs who travel to the Golden Temple to pay homage, the sacred shrine is equally revered by Hindus and people of other faiths who, too, make the pilgrimage to offer prayers at Harmandir Sahib.

There more to Amritsar than that - Amongst other sights is Jallianwala Bagh, site of the gruesome massacre of unarmed Indians by British troops. A major tourist attraction these days is the Indo-Pakistan border crossing at Wagah, just a short distance from Amritsar , with its elaborate change-of-guards drill with a lot of strutting and intimidatory showing off by both sides.