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Amritsar

The Golden Temple in Amritsar, high in the Punjab near the border with Pakistan, is the most important site in the world for Sikhs. A two-storey marble structure with an imposing dome of pure gold, reflected in a surrounding sacred pool, it is a stunning sight. Founded in 1577 by Ram Das, it is always busy with thousands of pilgrims and tourists. Amritsar is an easy drive from Wagah, a village divided in two at Partition, where the daily closure of the border takes place with great pomp and ceremony. Indian border guards in khaki and Pakistani border guards in dark green march, bark orders and lower their respective national flags in a symbolic stand-off, watched by orderly crowds of thousands waving national flags. There is much partisan cheering in the grandstands as the gates clang shut for the night, to be formally opened again the next day.

> Itineraries visiting Amritsar