Lemon Chali Amritsar!

Do not, I repeat, do not blame anyone if you are missing the much needed peace and vacation from your life because if you want it, no-one can stop you from living it. Our trip for 11 turned out to be a trip for 7. 

If you ask if I enjoyed less? 

I would say 'No'!

If you ask if I was un-sure of the fun and the company? 

I would say, "Yes, at the very beginning but the ending was pretty, amazingly happy".

Rest is history. 

They say that you need to pour your heart out to someone to feel the peace, I have learnt that you need to just get out of your home, step at a peaceful place and live for your ownself. I would say, when people can't help, a serene place like Golden Temple will. When you don't know what you are craving for from days, a plate of Amritsari Kulchas with a glass of lassi will definitely full your stomach. No wonder I am glad that this trip happened, I would be more glad in sharing the learnings and things one can do when visiting Amritsar.

Before I hop down to my very own to-do list, you need to read this list.

Things everyone will ask you to do in Amritsar:

•        Visit the 3 main places i.e. Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and Wagah Border.

•       Shop at Hall Market, Kapda bazar for the famous Phulkari work clothes, Punjabi Jutti and the famous papad-wadiya.

•        Eat Amritsari Kulcha from the famous Kulche wala shops right before the Temple area.

Done with the above mentioned list, forget them now and follow these instead.

Things I would recommend you to do and not to do in Amritsar:

•      Spend a day at the Temple alone and earn some peace for yourself.

•     Do not spend much of time in Jallianwala Bagh, this place can be covered quickly.

•        The famous Bharawaan tha dhabha has 3 branches, eat at all three outlets but the one above Domino’s Pizza serves amazing Dal Makhni and Mushroom Corn, try that!

•     Do not book a cab for Wagah Border, try an auto, the auto vale uncle ji will entertain you more.

•         Ask unknown people to take your pictures, people are really generous there, trust me.

•        Do not, I repeat do not live in a hotels. There are 5-star Sarais waiting to lend you a room at a cheaper cost. But but but, you cannot book it online. (We just checked out the washrooms of some, and trust me they were pretty cool. Still wondering why weren’t we living there). Also, you can consider living in hostels if you are alone or with your gang, they are cheap and comfortable.

•        If you are a girl, planning to visit Amritsar alone or with your girlfriends, the city is extremely safe ladies. Have fun.

•        Shout loudly at the Wagah border against the other country, the only place where all your patriotism will be out via your Indian Slogans.

•        Do not buy juttis from Hall Market as you can find the same stuff in Delhi at half of the cost (specifically for people living in Delhi, I am sure things are same for the Mumbaiwalas). Whereas, you can still search some shops for cheap Phulkari work garments, if you are lucky you might get something cheap. If not, may god save your wallet. Point to be noted- Ask locals like auto walas for cheap shops away from the Temple area and you might shop wonders under a low budget.

•          Do not come back without trying the Amritsari Kulchas. They were awesome. I still miss them here in NCR. Eat, repeat, pack and then eat them again. This is something is not to be missed.

•         Make sure you carry some comfortable footwear as walking is the key to roam around Amritsar. Also, you have to remove, submit and wear it again while entering and exiting from the temple, go for slip-ons and ignore the lace ones.

So, when are you planning one?

C’mon, Amritsar ki galiyaan are waiting for you.