We visited Amritsar in the heart of the Punjab in 2010. We specifically traveled to Amritsar to view the Golden Temple — the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion. Also known as the Shri Darbar Sahib, it is in the center of the old part of Amritsar. The Golden Temple sits on a rectangular platform, surrounded by a pool of water called the Amrit Sarovar from which the City is named. Anyone can freely visit the temple, eat there and stay there. We also checked out the Wagah Border ceremony — a political and historical icon, Wagah Border is also called the Berlin Wall of Asia. This ceremonial border, attracts thousands of visitors from both India and Pakistan, everyday. An hour from Amritsar. Past the many security check points, both sides of the border are marked by convoluted buildings, barriers and roads. The Retreat ceremony starts 30 minutes before sunset. As a prelude, public address systems on both sides play the most resounding patriotic songs as soldiers march up and down in ceremonial garb.

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