Amritsar

Amritsar is the holiest city of Sikhism, home to the Golden Temple, where free meals are served to anyone who walks in, and the Wagah border ceremony closes each evening.

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Amritsar is a city in Punjab, India, close to the Pakistan border. Its Golden Temple, known as Harmandir Sahib, is the main sight. The temple stands in a pool, and visitors cover their heads and remove their shoes before going in. Its free communal kitchen, langar, serves meals to anyone who comes, day and night. Jallianwala Bagh, nearby, is a memorial garden for the 1919 massacre of an unarmed crowd by colonial troops.

Evenings bring the Wagah border ceremony, a flag-lowering display at the India and Pakistan border about 30 km from the city. The food is a reason to go too: stuffed flatbreads, dal and rich Punjabi curries are easy to find. Winter, roughly October to March, is the most comfortable season, since summer heat is intense. Plan at least one night, so you can see the temple lit at dusk and again early in the morning. Two to three days covers the temple, Jallianwala Bagh, the border and the food.

Amritsar in five

Visit the Golden Temple at dawn and duskThe temple complex stays open around the clock, and the marble causeway glows gold after dark. Allow at least an hour inside; go early for shorter lines and quieter prayers.
Dress and behave for a gurdwaraCover your head with a scarf or bandana, remove shoes, and wash your feet at the entrance. Tobacco and alcohol are not allowed in the grounds. Photos of the sanctum are not permitted.
Eat a free langar mealThe temple's community kitchen serves free vegetarian meals to everyone. Sit in rows, accept the food and leave your plate in the washing area; donations are optional.
See Jallianwala Bagh and the Partition MuseumThe memorial garden marks the 1919 massacre, and the Partition Museum in the town hall tells the 1947 story. Together they fill a half day within walking distance of the temple.
Time the Wagah border ceremonyThe daily flag-lowering parade takes place before sunset at Attari, about 30 km away, and the start time shifts through the year. Go in a group cab and arrive early for seating.Chandigarh

Things to do in Amritsar

See all attractions in Amritsar

Cafe · AmritsarGREKO GOLDEN TEMPLE COFFEE SHOP

Museum · AmritsarJallianwala Bagh Museum

Temple · AmritsarAmrit Sarovar

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to AmritsarPut the places you like in Amritsar on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International (ATQ), about 10–15 km out
Getting there: Fast trains from Delhi in about 5.5–6 hours; buses from Chandigarh
Getting around: Auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws and app cabs; walk the old city
Best base: Near the Golden Temple or on Mall Road for quiet and cafes
Time needed: 1 night; 2 days with Wagah and the museum

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Poor

JanuaryClear6 rainy daysHigh19°Low7°Cold, fog
FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh23°Low10°Cool, clear
MarchClear6 rainy daysHigh28°Low14°Warm, pleasant
AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh36°Low20°Vaisakhi, hot
MayClear6 rainy daysHigh39°Low25°Very hot
JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh40°Low29°Very hot
JulyRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh35°Low28°Monsoon
AugustRain18 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low27°Monsoon, humid
SeptemberClear9 rainy daysHigh35°Low25°Humid
OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh33°Low20°Warm, clear
NovemberClear3 rainy daysHigh27°Low14°Cool, clear
DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh21°Low9°Cold, fog

Average daily high and low in Amritsar, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Amritsar

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 18°
Humidity: 67%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Amritsar

04:53 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today29°18°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed29°17°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 29°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu30°17°0%Thursday: Clear. High 30°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri29°17°0%Friday: Clear. High 29°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat29°16°0%Saturday: Clear. High 29°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun29°15°0%Sunday: Clear. High 29°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
Mon29°15°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 29°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 02:58 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR

Amount

Converted to

INR · Indian Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Amritsar

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

JanLohriPunjab, a day trip

Day trips by train

Wagah-Attari borderabout 45 min by roadA nightly flag-lowering parade with cheering crowds on both sides.
Chandigarhabout 4 hours by roadLe Corbusier's Capitol Complex, the Rock Garden and wide planned boulevards.Read the guide
Dharamsalaabout 5–6 hours by roadHimalayan foothills and the Tibetan community, a rewarding overnight.Read the guide

Before you go to Amritsar

Hotels near the Golden TempleWalk to the complex at dawnCheck availability

Amritsar and Wagah tourGuide, car and border seatingCompare day trips

eSIM for PunjabCab apps, booking apps and train alertsRead the guide

Cover for winter fog delaysLate trains and missed connectionsRead the guide

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Rules for Amritsar, checked

Most foreign visitors need an Indian e-Visa; apply on the official portal before you travel and check current eligibility and fees there.Source
Cover your head and remove your shoes before entering the Golden Temple; head coverings are available at the entrance.
Leave alcohol, tobacco and other intoxicants outside the Golden Temple complex.

Plan around Amritsar

Punjab

Villages, forts and the Punjab plains

Read the guide Punjab and Haryana

The region guide beyond Amritsar

Read the guide Chandigarh

Le Corbusier's planned capital, 4 hours south-east

Read the guide Dharamsala

Tibetan Himalaya, a long day north

Read the guide All of India

Regions, seasons and routes

Read the guide India e-Visa

Arrive by air or land? Check the e-Visa entry points

Read the guide

Amritsar FAQ

How many days do you need in Amritsar?

One night and two days is enough for the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, the Partition Museum and the Wagah ceremony. Add another day if you plan to use Amritsar as a base for Punjab villages.

Is there an entry fee for the Golden Temple?

No. Entry is free for everyone, and so is the langar meal. Wear modest clothes, cover your head, remove shoes and wash your feet. Check the guidelines posted at the gate for your day.

Is the Wagah border ceremony worth it?

Yes if you enjoy loud, theatrical crowds; it is mostly about the atmosphere, not the military drill. Go with a group cab, arrive well before the start for seating, and leave bags at your hotel.

What is the best time to visit Amritsar?

October to November and February to March, when it is warm and clear. Summers pass 40°C, and December and January can bring cold, foggy mornings that delay trains and flights.

Can tourists stay at the Golden Temple?

Free basic rooms called sarai are available to visitors on a short stay, by registration at the complex. Many travelers choose a hotel nearby for hot showers and quiet, and still eat langar.