Golden Temple Amritsar: Complete Visitor Guide, Timings & Best Practices

# Golden Temple Amritsar: Complete Visitor Guide The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar is one of India's most iconic spiritual sites. This guide helps you make the most of your visit to this sacred Sikh shrine. ## Temple Timings **Complex**: Open 24 hours, 365 days **Best Time to Visit**: - Early Morning (4 AM): Peaceful, morning prayers - Evening (Sunset): Golden hour photography, evening prayers - Night: Temple illuminated beautifully ## Dress Code & Etiquette ✓ **Head Covering**: Mandatory for all (scarves available free) ✓ **Footwear**: Remove before entering, deposit at shoe counter ✓ **Modest Dress**: Cover shoulders and legs ✓ **No Smoking/Alcohol**: Strictly prohibited ✓ **Photography**: Allowed in outer areas, not inside sanctum ## Must-Experience ### 1. Langar (Community Kitchen) - **Timings**: Continuous throughout day - **Capacity**: Serves 100,000+ people daily - **Free Meal**: Everyone welcome, sit on floor - **Volunteer**: Help in kitchen or serving ### 2. Parikrama (Circumambulation) - Walk around the Sarovar (sacred pool) - Devotional atmosphere - Multiple entry points ### 3. Holy Sarovar Bath - Sacred pool believed to have healing powers - Separate sections for men and women - Change rooms available ## Nearby Attractions 1. **Jallianwala Bagh**: 5-minute walk, historic site 2. **Wagah Border**: 30 km, flag-lowering ceremony 3. **Partition Museum**: Understanding India-Pakistan partition 4. **Amritsari Kulcha**: Try local cuisine ## Accommodation - **Temple Guest House**: Free stay, advance booking required - **Budget Hotels**: Near railway station - **Premium Hotels**: Heritage properties in city - **Homestays**: Experience local Punjabi hospitality ## Travel Tips 🚂 Railway: Amritsar Junction well-connected ✈️ Airport: Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji Airport, 11 km 🚗 Local: Auto-rickshaws, app cabs available 🍽️ Food: Vegetarian restaurants near temple Visit Golden Temple through Book My Mandir for curated Amritsar spiritual tours including Golden Temple, Wagah Border, and local experiences!