Your Guide to the 10 Best Temples in Amritsar

Amritsar is a city of many splendid holy wonders. Not only is Amritsar an iconic city that represents the true essence of Punjab, it is also home to many temples and gurudwaras that are grand, eclectic and spiritually uplifting. Sikh and Hindu pilgrims come to Amritsar for spiritual respite, and regular tourists flock to the city for historical sites such as Jallianwala Bagh and the Wagah border

1. The Golden Temple

A symbol of Sikhism and universal brotherhood, Sri Harmandir Sahib or ‘Abode of God’ is built in the Indo-Islamic style with influences from Rajput architecture. Its gold exterior structure is amazing to see. In the evening the temple looks divine lit up. Pilgrims have described the experience of coming here as blissful and serene. Prasad is served in the daily langar. Believers bathe in its pool which is said to have healing properties. The daily chanting of Bhajans is mesmerizing.

• Where: Golden Temple Road, Atta Mandi

2. Akal Takht

A building of spiritual and religious importance, the Akal Takht (Throne of the Timeless) is situated right opposite the Golden Temple in the same complex. It is the most important seat of Sikhism with significant religious and political history.

The Akal Takht is built slightly lower in height than the Golden Temple to show the order of importance. Instructions and guidance on the practice of Sikhism are announced from here.

• Where: Golden Temple Complex

3. Mandir Mata Lal Devi Temple

This is a unique temple with interesting mirror work and chaotic but highly appealing designs, including an eyewitness goddess! It is a place of worship for women who want to have a child. The temple has a carnival-like, fun-house atmosphere with narrow passageways, brightly colored eclectic deities and stairs that lead to psychedelic temples.

• Where: Rani Ka Bagh

4. Shri Durgiana Temple

Shri Durgiana Temple is also known as Laxminarayan Temple and its construction and appearance is similar to that of the Golden Temple. The temple is primarily dedicated to Goddess Durga and is an important pilgrimage site for North Indians, visited by Indians as well as devotees living abroad. The temple is in the middle of a water body and there is a ghat for the pilgrims to take a dip. It has huge silver doors and marble walls. The temple provides daily langar for the devotees and visitors,

• Where: Goal Bagh

5. ISKCON Temple

A small and enchanting ISKCON temple in Amritsar, with the idols of Krishna and Radha in its centre, is worth visiting for its disciplined atmosphere with beautiful decorations and religious artefacts.

Enjoy its daily prayer or Sunday Love Fest with enthusiastic chants, meditate in its clean surroundings. Dainik langar is a very tasty dish. Amritsar ISKCON Temple is smaller than others in India but is less crowded on most days.

• Where: Laxmansar

6. Bada Hanuman Mandir

Close to the Durgiana Temple, the Bada Hanuman Temple houses a deity of Lord Hanuman, which can be reached by a narrow walkway. There is a deity to worship Lord Shiva inside the temple and a sacred banyan tree outside.

Lord Hanuman was a mythical monkey king and you will find many monkeys roaming around in the temple. There is a room for devotees to chant hymns from Ramayana, whose sound is mesmerizing.

• Where: Goal Bagh, North of Durgiana Temple

7. Maa Bhadrakali Mandir

An ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, who is the consort of Lord Shiva, Kali Mata Temple is frequented by staunch Kali devotees.

The place is filled with devotees during Bhadrakali Jayanti, which is celebrated according to the Hindu calendar.

• Where: Khazana Gate Chowk

8. Valmiki Temple or Ram Tirath

Located on the outskirts of Amritsar near the Wagah border, it is a major pilgrimage site dedicated to Saint Valmiki, who supported Sita during her separation from Rama. It is believed that his sons Lava and Kush were born here and the epic battle between Rama’s army and his sons took place here.

• Where: Amritsar-Lopoke Road

9. Gurudwara Baba Atal Rai Sahib Ji

It is an octagonal 9 storeyed Gurdwara built in the memory of Baba Atal Rai, who was the son of the sixth Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. It was built in the 18th century.

A legend about Baba Atal Rai is that when he was a child he resurrected his dead companion by a snake bite. When scolded by his father for disturbing the natural order, Baba Atal went into a samadhi and sacrificed his life.

• Where: Harmandir Sahib Temple Complex

10. Bhaiyan Da Shivala Mandir

A popular Shiva temple that is crowded during Shivratri and almost all days, but throngs of devotees on Mondays, it is a temple worth visiting for its divine energy and atmosphere.

It is said that it was built by two brothers from Uttar Pradesh, hence its name. It was originally built and maintained by migrant workers from UP (inhabitants of UP are colloquially called Bhaiya), with time the temple came to be known as Bhaiya Da Shivala Mandir or Shivla Bagh Bhaiya.