We’re suppossed to reach Amritsar at 8:55am but surprisingly our train was some 15 mins early. We had no pre-bookings done. So, once we reached the station. We started searching for some options to stay. I made my mom sit with all our luggage, while me and my sister started walking out in the streets of Amritsar. I entered some hotels nearby, but was highly disappointed with their untidy rooms and high tariff.
I was busy clicking photos when my sister pointed out the PUNJAB TOURISM OFFICE, which was about some 5mins from the station. We entered the office and that is where I decided staying at the GOLDEN TEMPLE was the best option.
I feared the idea for we had a late night train to catch that very night. Precisely we had only one day at Amritsar. We’re hungry and planless.
I found a small road-side stall selling the famous ‘amritsari-aalo-kulcha’. We hurried to eat. The Sardarji at the stall told us again.. to stay at the golden temple was the best option. We finised eating our ‘aalo-kulcha’, packed another 2 for my mom and decided to stay at the golden temple. We went back to the station, hired an auto and started for the golden temple. We had to bargain to get the fair from rs.100 to rs.60/- Later, we got to know the fair was rs.50
Golden temple was some 20mins away from the station. We reached the golden temple at something around 10:30am. We had a slight confusion for this was our first visit to the city and the golden temple premises had many gates. After wandering for something about an hour or so, we finally found Hari Niwas. We immediately booked an A.C Room for a tariff of Rs.300, and since it was already 12noon. We checked in. We took half an hour to de-stress and then started for the temple. 
In about half an hour, we were done with the darshan. 
Followed by our darshaan, we went to eat at the Langar. We kept strolling for about another half an hour at the streets nearby, looking at the small stalls.
We found many auto-drivers shouting “Wagah-border”. We found that if you hire your family a car, they’ll charge you Rs.800 whereas, if you agree to go on share.. they’ll charge you rs.80 per head. We kept strolling along the shops for a little while and then we entered Jalianwala bagh, which is about a 5min walk from the temple premesies. It was supposed to close early and there was not much to see. So, I clicked some quick pictures and we got out of it. There was not much to shop apart from some “amritsari juti” in the huge street market in and around the Golden temple and Jallianwala Bagh. I bought a few pairs and decided to hit upon the famous Amritsari Food. I was very excited about the Punjabi Food.. Cuisine rather; and I did quite some homework too. I had certain names in my head. I started with the very familiar ‘Gol-gappe’. Post that we took our ride to Attari or like they Say Wagah Border. After sunset, it was almost mid-evening by the time we returned from Attari. We made a quick trip to Durgiana Temple, shopping complex. And finally filled our tummies at the “Kesar Da Dhaba”. And about the temple, I didn’t see much resemblence though but localites say, it’s the replica of the Golden temple. However post that we took an auto to the Surjit Food Plaza. We thought of snacking their specialities- ‘Amritsari Fish’, ‘Tandoori Chicken’ and ‘Makhan Fish’.
We took an auto back to the golden temple area. We’re amazed to see the ‘papad-bazar’. We shopped for some ethnic ‘patialas’ and finally head towards the temple. My mom and my sister headed for our room whereas I ran towards the sarovar. I wanted to click the evening lights of the Golden temple. We sat by the sarovar, it was so calm and serene. 
But like all good things come to an end.
It was about 9:30pm, when we decided to check out. It was 10pm when we hired an auto for the station. We asked him if we could have our dinner somewhere on our way. He recommended Crystal Restaurant at the Crystal Chowk. It was on the way towards the railway station. We had kadai paneer, biriyani, amritsari aalo and butter chicken for dinner. And, I must say, The FOOD WAS AWESOME.
After our food was done, we headed towards the station to know our train was some hours late.
We had our reservations at Bhatinda-JammuTawi Exp(19225). The scheduled departure was at 1:10am. It arrived at 2:00am and departed at 2:10am. That is how the beautiful day at the north-western city of India ends.
Keypoints.
1. there are two train by the name hwh-asr. but dont get confused. follow the numbers. hwh-asr mail(13005) takes 37hrs and hwh-asr exp(13049) takes some 44hrs.
2. Pre-bookings are not required, rooms are quite easily available at the golden temple premises.. unless you aren’t travelling during any of their festivals.
3. For people visiting GOLDEN TEMPLE for the first time, and willing to stay there, make sure you enter the temple through the ‘Panitanki’ gate or ‘hariniwas’, thats the place to stay in golden temple.
4. Start for Jalinwala Bagh early, we missed most of it, for it shuts down by 5pm.
5. We missed Oswal Factory Outlet. Yes, Amritsar has it. Do check it out incase you want to shop for winter garments.
6. Make sure you go to ‘Attari/Wagah Border’.
7.For people willing to eat at ‘Surjit Food Plaza’. Its at Nehru Shopping Complex, Lawrence Road..
8. For people willing to eat at ‘Crystal’. Its at Crystal Chowk, Queens Road.
9. There are some 3 trains that go to Jammu from Amritsar. Firstly, the one that we travelled at. Secondly, the Tatanagar one, and the other one is the Rourkela one. In anycase if you are thinking of taking the next two, let me tell you they are long distant trains.. and would always be late from their scheduled time.
P.S- All the fares and tariffs are of 2011.
OfAllTheStories 