Of all the incredible destinations we have explored across our seven family trips to India, few places hold a candle to Amritsar. Located in the northwestern state of Punjab, this vibrant city is the spiritual and cultural heart of the Sikh faith. Then at the centre of the city is the breathtaking Golden Temple (known locally as Sri Harmandir Sahib).
The temple is a shrine of the Sikh faith. But it is not like anywhere else in India! It is not merely a monumental shrine; it is an incredible example of peace and human equality.
Whether you are traveling as a family, a couple, or a solo explorer, visiting the Golden Temple is a deeply moving experience that will stay with you forever.
Here is our complete guide on what to expect, essential things to see at the Golden Temple, how to volunteer at the world-famous Langar, and practical travel logistics for Amritsar!
What to Know Before Visiting the Golden Temple
Before stepping through the grand gates, there are a few important traditions to keep in mind:
- Dress Modestly: Dress conservatively with shoulders, legs, and chest covered. Loose, comfortable trousers or a kurta are ideal.
- Cover Your Head: Everyone – men, women, and children – must cover their head before entering the complex. You can bring a scarf or purchase a small orange head covering for a few rupees right outside the entrance.
- Remove Shoes & Wash Feet: Leave your shoes and socks at the free footwear counter (Joda Ghar). Before stepping onto the marble plaza, you will walk through a shallow pool of clean, running water to cleanse your feet.
- Respectful Behaviour: Keep voice levels soft and respectful. No alcohol, tobacco, or drugs are permitted anywhere near the complex.
Things to See at the Golden Temple
The complex is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and welcomes people of every background, race, and religion without hesitation.
Here are the main highlights and things to see at the Golden Temple:
- Main Entrance Gates
- Amrit Sarovar Pool
- Central Golden Sanctum
- Guru Ka Langar Kitchen
1. The Golden Temple Entrance Gates
No matter which direction you enter from, the entrance gates to the Golden Temple are impressive! You have to buy or borrow a scarf to cover your head and take your shoes off. Then you enter the main courtyard by walking through a shallow pool of water to cleanse your feet.
2. The Amrit Sarovar (Sacred Pool of Nectar)
Wherever you enter from, as you step down into the main courtyard (Parikrama), you will have the magnificent view of the central golden structure shimmering over a massive pool of water.
Walk slowly clockwise along the wide marble walkway surrounding the pool to soak in the atmosphere.
3. The Central Harmandir Sahib (Golden Sanctum)
This is really what the iconic golden of the Golden Temple is all about! Plated in pure gold leaf, it is a central shrine that sits famously in the middle of the pool, connected by a long marble causeway (Guru’s Bridge).
Inside, priests and musicians continuously chant scriptures from the holy book (Guru Granth Sahib) set to traditional Indian classical music. The live hymns are broadcast softly throughout the complex day and night.
- Tip: You can hear these being recited and played as you walk around the Golden Temple complex.
4. The Central Sikh Museum
Located on the upper floor near the main entrance clock tower, this is a fascinating museum that displays historical paintings, weaponry, and artefacts detailing the rich history, martyrs, and history of Sikhism.
5. The Night Ceremony (Palki Sahib)
If you can, visit twice – once during the day and once after dark! At night, the temple is illuminated against the dark sky.
Each evening (around 9:30 PM in winter or 10:30 PM in summer), a procession carries the holy scripture from the central Golden Temple shrine to its resting place for the night in a gold-palanquin called the Palki Sahib.
Volunteering at the Langar (Guru Ka Langar)
One of the most extraordinary aspects of visiting the Golden Temple is the Guru Ka Langar. This community kitchen is the largest free kitchen in the world, serving upwards of 100,000 hot, vegetarian meals every single day to visitors from all walks of life – completely free of charge.
Anyone is welcome to sit on the floor mats in long rows to eat, or roll up their sleeves and volunteer!
How to Get Involved in Volunteering at the Golden Temple
You don’t need an advance booking or formal invitation to help. Whatever time you are visiting the Golden Temple you can walk into the kitchen complex and ask where help is needed.
There are tasks suited for every skill level and age:
- Veggie Prep: Sit in large circles on the floor helping peel mountains of garlic, chop ginger, or slice onions.
- The Chapati Line: Join local devotees rolling out fresh flatbreads (chapatis) at lightning speed before they hit the giant hot plates. (Our boys, Oscar and Harry, loved having a go at rolling dough here!).
- The Dishwashing Line: For a high-energy workout, join the teams washing and rinsing thousands of stainless-steel plates in giant water troughs. (Gavin and Harry jumped right into the men’s dishwashing line – loud, fast, and an absolute blast!).
Have a Meal in the Golden Temple Langar
After volunteering, take a tray and sit down in the grand dining hall to share a meal of delicious dal, vegetable curry, and hot chapatis, followed by a sweet cup of hot chai in the courtyard.
Recommended Local Guide for the Golden Temple: Anil Sharma
To get the absolute most out of your time in Amritsar and especially for visiting the Golden Temple, we cannot recommend our fantastic local guide, Anil Sharma (with @FeelMyCityTours) highly enough!
Anil is a wealth of knowledge, incredibly kind, and brilliant with families. Not only does he bring the history and deep spiritual context of the Golden Temple to life, but he can also guide you around the broader city sights – including the historical Jallianwala Bagh memorial park and arranging your trip out to the iconic, high-energy Wagah Border Ceremony at the India-Pakistan border.
- Anil Sharma
+91 97802 34705
Practical Travel Logistics for Amritsar
As with all travel in India a bit of planning goes a long way.
Getting to Amritsar
- By Air: Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (ATQ) is located just 11 km from the city centre, receiving direct flights from major Indian hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, as well as select international flights.
- By Train: Fast express trains like the Shatabdi Express run daily between New Delhi and Amritsar Junction, taking roughly 6 hours in clean, comfortable, air-conditioned chair cars.
Getting Around Amritsar
- Auto-Rickshaws & E-Rickshaws: Electric rickshaws are the best way to navigate the narrow lanes around the Golden Temple’s pedestrianized Heritage Street zone.
- Private Taxis / Rideshare: For airport transfers or the afternoon drive out to the Wagah Border, app-based rideshares like Ola or private hotel taxis are very convenient.
Where to Stay in Amritsar
- Hyatt Regency Amritsar: Our top recommendation! It offers spacious rooms, fantastic dining, and a refreshing outdoor pool to relax in after a day in the city heat.
- Heritage Street Hotels: For budget travellers or those who want to be steps away from the temple gates, look for boutique guesthouses along the lively, vehicle-free Heritage Walk area.
Visiting Amritsar and the Golden Temple
Visiting Amritsar and visiting the Golden Temple is more than just a sightseeing trip – it is a cool, inspiring lesson in hospitality, generosity, and community that will leave an indelible mark on your India travel memories!
Planning a longer trip through India? Check out our guide to the best places to visit in India to help plan your next stop!
What is your favourite of the things to do in Amritsar? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy planning and safe travels!
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Travel Planning for India & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia through 12Go.
- Skyscanner – Our favourite flight search engine. They can search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – A huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Make sure you have travel insurance before further planning India and Amritsar!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.
