View allAll Photos Tagged Navratra!
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
Tolu Bommalatta or 'Leather puppets' is a form of shadow puppet theatre of Andhra Pradesh.
These life-sized leather puppets measuring 1.2-1.8 meters are made of Goat Hide. They are beaten and made transluscent, incised & colored. The various parts of the puppets are joined, & controlled with bamboo sticks
The puppets in this picture are kept for the preparation of a performance form a chapter in Ram-Charit-Manas. Called the Sunder Kand.
This sequence talk of the search & rescue of Sita, the reminder by Jambhavan of Hanuman's super powers, Vibhisan's liberation from evil surrounding him & Ram learning the secret of crossing the sea, by the sea God.
It is believed that the entire sequence is said to be monitored by Lord Shiva & Bhavani. In Sundar Kand - everything ends in a Positive note! :)
Canon 5D Mark II + 16-35L
-
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
Kanjak Ashtami puja is an important ritual during the Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratras. It falls on the eighth day – the Ashtami day – of the nine-day Navratri festival. A young girl child (Kanjaks) is worshipped on this day in North India
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
98,603 items / 596,358 views
This is a unique community that lives on the pavement of Mori Road diagonally opposite Mahim Station weaving baskets , baskets that are used for storing fish by the koli women, baskets are in demand with vegetable and flower sellers too.
The women of this community go about their work diligently, the men are laid back play cards drink ..and take life as it comes , some men the older ones assist the women in weaving the baskets.
The kids beg at both the traffic signals the one at Mori Road the other at the far end of St Michael Church.This brings in the extra bit for the concerned family.
The kid beggars of this community are very convincing with their begging speech invoking Allah, Makhdoom Shah Baba the Mahim Saint , or any divinity in keeping with the person they are begging from , if it is a Hindu than they will appeal on behalf of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi, or Durga Mata , this also depends on the seasonal religious flavor of a Hindu feast.
During Navratra they begged with Gharbi pots in their hands.
This community has a branch at Mahim off Mori Road closer to Fisherman Colony, the other branch or offshoot is close to Nargis Dutt Colony at Bandra Reclamation..
This is a nice study if one is passionate about street photography..Mumbai street life shows you facets of domestic quarrels on the road , kids playing cricket cars zooming by, hawkers plying their trade undisturbed , as they pay hafta to the authorities and the local Bhai or don of the area.
Most of the street settlers are touts of politicians as this huge chunk is a powerful vote bank..they raise the flag of the party that feeds them..first come first serve basis.
On the night before the elections I was told in confidence by a resident of the street of Bandra Reclamation, a lot of money flows to garner support in terms of vote..He said sometimes people paid by a party go and vote for the opposing party too.. Politics is a perfect pass time for the jobless , Rs 250 is paid to a person joining the rally .. more if they have kids.. more if they are in burkhas..yes this democracy..one wise man and a million blind fools..the Muslim card is the most sought after ..as the Muslim vote can change the face of the hustings here , those at Band Stand , Pali Hill , Carter Road go away for a long well deserved holiday during voting time...Most of them ensconced at their holiday villas at Alibagh , Murud Janjira or Igatpuri..
The first rally at Bandra Reclamation was that of the BSP last night I kept away but saw it from my balcony..the people in the fray here at Bandra is sitting MLA Baba Siddiki of Congress NCP combine , Ashish Shelar BJP /ShivSena combine and a lone Independent candidate municipal councilor Rahebar Khan.
The walls are still pristine white soon you will see the writing on the walls ..Vote For ...Stable Government ..and such jocular tongue in cheek verbosity..
The shrilly chorus of kids Ek Do... Phek Do..Sab Se Pehle Hath Ha Hum Tumhare Sath Hai..Rahebar Khans election symbol is a cricket bat.. and he is going to hit a six his supporter told me..but than he got upset when I told him that both Baba Siddiki and Ashish Shelar are great bowlers too, one a fast medium pace the other a left arm spinner..he has since last two days stopped talking to me..Strange are the ways of democracy..
The BSP will be soon canvasing with a huge statue of a White Elephant and if they come to power here in Bandra .. well will have a statue of smiling Madam M at Carter Road.. one opposite Sharukh Khans house at Band Stand .. another one of a Dalit leader opposite Salman Khans house..
Democracy and the electoral process is the true pulse of our cultural ethos.
The MNS is not putting up any candidate ..this is one question or statement that needs no answer..Politics makes strange bedfellows too.. sometimes your enemies worst enemy becomes your best friend too..
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
Kanjak Ashtami puja is an important ritual during the Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratras. It falls on the eighth day – the Ashtami day – of the nine-day Navratri festival. A young girl child (Kanjaks) is worshipped on this day in North India. In 2013, the date of Kanjak Ashtami is marked on April 08.
God Said,
Here is some Light,
For you to absorb the beauty.
Thanks Almighty,
Said Greedy me,
Would you spare some colors for me too...
:)
----
I got the light now,
But am still in search of the missing colors.
"...somewhere down the line..
I lost a few shades of color...
Trying to do without,
The things I lost on the way,
Trying to Fly again,
with these broken wings...
..in search of color."
---
Wishing you Very Happy Navratras & Eid Mubarak.
May the festival of Light Bring Glory in your lives.
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
www.amritsarhelp.com/2007/12/03/durgiana-temple/
""""""""A famous Hindu Shrine - Durgiana Mandir also known as Sitla Mandir. It str ucture looks like as Golden Temple. It was founded by Lala Nathu Mal Rangwala and Guru Sahai Mal in 1921. It is being run by the Durgiana Mandir Management Committee comprising of leading citizens of the city.
Like the Golden Temple it is also situated in the middle of a pool of water, also connected to the dry land by a long causeway and it also has a golden dome. It looks like they are even in the process of gold plating larger parts of the temple, perhaps in an attempt to compete with the Golden Temple.
At the main Durgiana Temple a Sarovar was consrtucted by Shri Ram Nasen of Lahore in 1905. A bridge measuring 250 feet in lenth and 18 and half feet in width was constructednin 1921 to reach the major shrine adorning the idols of Shri Laxmi Narayan, Radha and Krishan, Sita and Ram.
At night the glittering Lights illuminate the dome of the mandir.
Durga Mata Mandir, Shivji Mandir, Bhairon Mandir and Hamnuman Mandir are also in the same complex.
There is a unique tradition associated with the mandir, here those parents whose desire for a son is fulfilled, dress their son as langoor during Navratras on the occasion of Dussehra festival.
Though there is no evidence when this tradition was started, but this Hindu tradidtion is limited to Amritsar only.
All Hindu fairs and festivals like Janamashtmi, Ram Naumi. Diwali are celebrated here with great pomp and slow,
mandir is illuminated with colourful lights. Dussehra is also celebrated in the ground adjacent to the Mandir complex.""""""""
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
www.amritsarhelp.com/2007/12/03/durgiana-temple/
""""""""A famous Hindu Shrine - Durgiana Mandir also known as Sitla Mandir. It str ucture looks like as Golden Temple. It was founded by Lala Nathu Mal Rangwala and Guru Sahai Mal in 1921. It is being run by the Durgiana Mandir Management Committee comprising of leading citizens of the city.
Like the Golden Temple it is also situated in the middle of a pool of water, also connected to the dry land by a long causeway and it also has a golden dome. It looks like they are even in the process of gold plating larger parts of the temple, perhaps in an attempt to compete with the Golden Temple.
At the main Durgiana Temple a Sarovar was consrtucted by Shri Ram Nasen of Lahore in 1905. A bridge measuring 250 feet in lenth and 18 and half feet in width was constructednin 1921 to reach the major shrine adorning the idols of Shri Laxmi Narayan, Radha and Krishan, Sita and Ram.
At night the glittering Lights illuminate the dome of the mandir.
Durga Mata Mandir, Shivji Mandir, Bhairon Mandir and Hamnuman Mandir are also in the same complex.
There is a unique tradition associated with the mandir, here those parents whose desire for a son is fulfilled, dress their son as langoor during Navratras on the occasion of Dussehra festival.
Though there is no evidence when this tradition was started, but this Hindu tradidtion is limited to Amritsar only.
All Hindu fairs and festivals like Janamashtmi, Ram Naumi. Diwali are celebrated here with great pomp and slow,
mandir is illuminated with colourful lights. Dussehra is also celebrated in the ground adjacent to the Mandir complex.""""""""
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
We have Navratri special puja products in our online shop. We are selling all our products now online from India.
We have assembled in this pack all the essentials for worshipping and pleasing Goddess Durga. This pack can be used for daily Devi puja or during Navratris and for any ritual involving worshipping supreme Goddess.
Set of 18 Ayur herbs used in Homa (Havan) namely: Palash Dry Flowers, Dasang Chips, Agar, Bhimshen Capoor, Dhoop Khada, Tagar, Nagkesar, Dhoop Powder, Jatamasi, Sandal Chips, Benzoin, Batriso Dhoop, Khus Wala, Gugal Dhoop, Lotus Seeds, Sandal Chips Powder, Frank Incense and Red Powder. These Havan Ayur herbs products used in all kind of poojas and homas.
Contents of Devi puja kit:
Shringar Samagri - Bangles, Chunri, Sindoor, small mirror, comb, necklace with earrings, ring, kajal, Mehandi, Bindi.
Puja samagri -
Navratri Prayers book
Devi Puja CD
Gangajal-50ml [Holy water]
Gomutra-25ml [Cow urine]
Itra-3ml [Fragrance oil]
Honey-small bottle [Madhu]
Incense -10stickes [Agarbatti]
Haldi, Kumkum, Abir, Gulal, Gopichandan,astagandha powder,sindoor,rangoli [app.75gms] [hindu-tilaks in different colours]
Sandal paste -20gms [Ready to use tilak]
Akshada Rice - 50gms [Coloured rice]
Kapur pkt 60pcs approx. [Camphor]
Janeo-1 [Holy Thread]
Ghee - small pkt
Diya-1 [Ready to use diya]
Holy thread-1 roll [Raksha Sutra]
Deity offerings (Dry Fruits Candy Sugar),75gms
Supari, Clove, Cardamon -5pcs each [Betelnut]
Red Cloth, 1metre pcs [Altar Coth]
Dhoop Batti [1pkt] [Dhoop Incense]
Prasad containers [10pcs]
Dharbha grass -1 bundle
Cowdung Cakes [27 pcs]
Jav [50 gms]
Kala teel [50 gms]
Havan Ayur Herbs set of 1 [170 gms]
Bandhani Chunri [Dimensions in inches: 13 (L) x 9 (W)]
The Navratri Festival, or Navratras as it is also called, celebrates the power and blessings of Goddess Durga in its nine incarnations. They are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Maha Gauri & Siddhidatri . It is a period of solemnity and fasting, purification and introspection. VedicVaani brings to you the Navratri Devi Puja Kit , an all-in-one ready to use Pooja samagri which will help you perform Navratri puja and receive the blessings of Goddess Durga. The Navratri Devi Puja Kit includes carefully selected items we know you will use during your Navaratri Puja.
Havan Kund
Top Diameter: 8 inches
Depth: 4 inches
Height: 5 inches
Weight: 560 grams
Havan sticks:
Length: 12 inches
Weight of sticks: 225 gms
Spoon:
Dimensions: 0.75 inches (thickness) X 11.5 inches (length)
Diameter of holding cup: 2.25 inches
Weight: 90 grams
Plate:
Dimensions: 1.25 inches (H) X 8 inches (Diameter)
Weight: 170 grams
Panchpatra, Kalash and Pali Dimenstion:
Panchapatra: 2 inches (H) x 3 inches (Top Diameter) x 2.25 inches (B)
Pali: 4.5 inches (L)
Kalash: 3.75 inches (H) x 3.2 inches (Top Daimeter)
Navgraha Samidha
The nine planets in our horoscope control our karma, our desires and their outcomes. Each of these nine planets exerts an influence in our lives, which is called "dasa". Navagraha Pooja is undertaken to reduce the negative effects and improve the positive energies of these planets.
Set of 9 sticks for Navgrahas:
Ark for Sun
Palash for Moon
Khadir for Mars
Peepal for Jupiter
Apamarga for Mercury
Audambar for Venus
Sami for Saturn
Durva for Rahu
Kusha for Ketu
Purpose: Used in fire ceremony (Havan) to pacify all planets.These sticks are offered to the fire by chanting shlokas which invariably end with a 'swahaa'.
Quantity: 750 grams (approx. 20 sticks in each pack)
Total weight of set: 4 kgs approx
Get this product online so visit our website: www.vedicvaani.com
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/VedicVaani/
Tumblr: vedicvaani.tumblr.com/
www.amritsarhelp.com/2007/12/03/durgiana-temple/
""""""""A famous Hindu Shrine - Durgiana Mandir also known as Sitla Mandir. It str ucture looks like as Golden Temple. It was founded by Lala Nathu Mal Rangwala and Guru Sahai Mal in 1921. It is being run by the Durgiana Mandir Management Committee comprising of leading citizens of the city.
Like the Golden Temple it is also situated in the middle of a pool of water, also connected to the dry land by a long causeway and it also has a golden dome. It looks like they are even in the process of gold plating larger parts of the temple, perhaps in an attempt to compete with the Golden Temple.
At the main Durgiana Temple a Sarovar was consrtucted by Shri Ram Nasen of Lahore in 1905. A bridge measuring 250 feet in lenth and 18 and half feet in width was constructednin 1921 to reach the major shrine adorning the idols of Shri Laxmi Narayan, Radha and Krishan, Sita and Ram.
At night the glittering Lights illuminate the dome of the mandir.
Durga Mata Mandir, Shivji Mandir, Bhairon Mandir and Hamnuman Mandir are also in the same complex.
There is a unique tradition associated with the mandir, here those parents whose desire for a son is fulfilled, dress their son as langoor during Navratras on the occasion of Dussehra festival.
Though there is no evidence when this tradition was started, but this Hindu tradidtion is limited to Amritsar only.
All Hindu fairs and festivals like Janamashtmi, Ram Naumi. Diwali are celebrated here with great pomp and slow,
mandir is illuminated with colourful lights. Dussehra is also celebrated in the ground adjacent to the Mandir complex.""""""""
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
Karni Mata Temple (Hindi: करणी माता मंदिर) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Karni Mata at Deshnoke, 30 km from Bikaner, in Rajasthan, India. It is also known as the Temple of Rats.
The temple is famous for the approximately 25,000 black rats that live, and are revered, in the temple. These holy rats are called kabbas, and many people travel great distances to pay their respects. The temple draws visitors from across the country for blessings, as well as curious tourists from around the world.
THE LEGEND
Legend has it that Laxman, son of Karni mata, drowned in a pond in Kapil Sarovar in Kolayat Tehsil while he was attempting to drink from it. Karni Mata implored Yama, the god of death, to revive him. First refusing, Yama eventually relented, permitting Laxman and all of Karni Mata's male children to be reincarnated as rats.
Eating food that has been nibbled on by the rats is considered to be a "high honour". If one of them is killed, it must be replaced with another one made of solid silver.
ARCHITECTURE
The building was completed in its current form in the early 20th century in the late Mughal style by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner.
In front of the temple is a beautiful marble facade, which has solid silver doors built by Maharaja Ganga Singh. Across the doorway are more silver doors with panels depicting the various legends of the Goddess. The image of the Goddess is enshrined in the inner sanctum.
WHITE RATS
Out of all of the thousands of rats in the temple, there are a few white rats, which are considered to be especially holy. They are believed to be the manifestations of Karni Mata herself and her four sons. Sighting them is a special blessing and visitors put in extensive efforts to bring them forth, offering prasad, a sweet holy food. There is not any case of any disease being spread by the rats to date.
WORSHIP AND FAIR
WORSHIP
The temple is opened to the public early in the morning at 04:00. Charan priests perform Mangla-Ki-Aarti and offer bhog (special food) in worship. Devotees make offerings to the rats, which roam about the temple in large numbers and are considered auspicious. There are two kinds of offerings made: the 'dwar-bhent' is attributed to the priests and the workers, while the 'kalash-bhent' is utilised for the temple maintenance and development.
KARNI MATA FAIR
Karni Mata Fair is held twice a year at Deshnok:
The first and larger fair is held in March–April during the Navratras from Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashmi.
The second fair is held in September–October, also during the Navratras, from Ashvin Shukla to Ashwin Shukla Dashmi.
During Navratri thousands of people travel to the temple by foot.
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA
The temple appeared on the first season of the American reality television series The Amazing Race.
Because of its revered rat population, the temple was featured in the 2016 documentary film Rats, directed by Morgan Spurlock.
The Temple was also featured in Season 2, Episode 3 of "Mighty Trains," The Maharaja's Express as a stop on the week-long train route.
WIKIPEDIA
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com
Amritsar; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ; Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːɾɪt̪səɾ]), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in north-western part in India and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,132,761. The city is situated 217 km northwest of state capital Chandigarh. It is near Pakistan, with the Wagah Border being only 28 km away. The nearest city is Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, located 50 km to the west.
The Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ) meaning throne of the timeless one is one of five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikh religion. It is located in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar. The city houses the Temporal seat of Sikhs.
Amritsar is home to the Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as the Golden Temple), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays alone and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Akal Takht, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa, and the committee responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras.
The Ramtirth temple situated at Amritsar is believed to be Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirth ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirth temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasoor were said to be founded by Lava and Kush, respectively. During Ashvamedha Yagna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush captured the ritual horse and tied lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple. During Navratra festivities it is considered to be auspicious by Hindu population of the city to visit that temple.
The main commercial activities of Amritsar include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, service trades, and light engineering. The city is known for its rich cuisine, and culture, and for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 under British Rule. Amritsar is home to Central Khalsa Orphanage, which was once home to Udham Singh, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi Ground is the main sports complex in the city which is home to the Amritsar Games Association, (AGA).
Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
HISTORY
Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lies in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier, Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)
Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self-styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).
In the Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".
On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30.
Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd. Firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress determined that approximately 1,000 people were killed.
PARTITION OF 1947
Partition of British India into India and Pakistan had a most profound effect on the demographics, economics, culture, political and social structures of Amritsar. The state of Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan and Amritsar became a border city, often on the front lines of India-Pakistan wars. Prior to partition, the Muslim league wanted to incorporate Amritsar into Pakistan because of the Amritsar's proximity to Lahore (a distance of 30 miles) and a nearly 50% Muslim population, but the city became part of India. The Indian National Congress had similar aims of incorporating Lahore into India as Lahore was the cultural, economic, and political capital of undivided Punjab and Hindus and Sikhs constituted nearly 50% of the population, but Lahore became a part of Pakistan. Amritsar and Lahore experienced some of the worst communal riots during the partition of India. Muslim residents of Amritsar left the city en-masse leaving their homes and property behind because of violent anti-Muslim riots in Amritsar. Similar scenes of communal carnage against Hindus and Sikhs were witnessed in Lahore and led to their mass evacuation.
Important Muslim dominated villages in Amritsar district prior to partition include Sultanpur, Kala Afgana, Abdul Kalan, Rasheed Bal, Lahorie, Shahpur, Shahkot, Alipur, Aliwal, Allahbad, Fatehbad, Chak, Guza Chak, Jattan, Cheema.
OPERATION BLUE STAR
Operation Blue Star (3– 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.
Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in anti-Sikh pogroms. Within the Sikh community itself, Operation Blue Star has taken on considerable historical significance.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%.
Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%
RELIGION
Sikhism is the most practised religion of Amritsar district with 71.91% of the total population being Sikh.The second largest religion is Hinduism with 26.03% of the citizens identifying themselves as Hindus. However, according to 2011 census, the city of Amritsar is Hindu majority with 49.4% of the city being Hindu and 48% being Sikhs. In Amritsar city, Islam is followed by 0.51% and Christianity by 1.23%. Around 0.20% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or another religion.
WIKIPEDIA
What struck me most about Buzz in Punjabi Bagh is that there is no other lounge/club in the vicinity. No wonder Buzz is always buzzing with people.
When we reached Punjabi Bagh, we were to go to the third floor and a family, which included an elderly lady and a toddler, were in the lift with us. We thought they might be going to another restaurant but we were rather surprised to see that Buzz is the kind of place where one section is completely enjoyed by the whole family.
I learnt from the owners that the place also had a special “Navratra Menu” to cater to the needs of the religious neighbourhood. It has a lovely terrace where people are seen relaxing with friends and hosting events like baby showers, anniversary parties, etc.
I went with a friend and we danced on the ground floor for a while after which we decided to move upstairs where things were quieter and there was no music. We ordered two mojitos. I ordered a virgin mojito. The mélange of fresh mint and lemons was what I really needed to relax after all that dancing. Our starters arrived really quickly.
The food has been customized to suit the palate of the “West Delhi Crowd” and the Chef has done a really good job with the fusion. The “Spicy Chilly Chicken” for instance is a hot seller and was recommended to us by the Chef. I loved every last bite of it. Buzz doesn’t claim to be something it isn’t - it is a fusion restaurant and they claim to be nothing else! They have been through several trial runs, tasting sessions, etc. and have created several hundred dishes to ensure they suit the taste of the crowd they are meant to be catering to.
Take the dim sum for instance, it did not have a very thin translucent covering, it was a wholesome, chunky, filling and fresh “Chicken and Chive Dim Sum” served in a typical bamboo container.
The “Semolina Prawns with Ginger Pickle” were a very unusual taste. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside the ginger pickle (shredded pickled pieces of ginger) was a great accompaniment, as was the mustard mayonnaise dip.
The menu was quite elaborate and we looked over the menu sipping our drinks as we discussed what we could possibly order for the main course. The staff was very attentive and supportive to our needs.
The owners of the restaurant also came to discuss the food and the idea of this interesting franchise of Buzz with us. We were quite impressed to see how both owners (one of whom is a professional model) were so hands on. They knew exactly what was going on in the kitchen, they worked on making the menu as authentic to West Delhi as possible and they stayed at the restaurant until very late at night (despite having families) to ensure everything worked smoothly at their new venture.
Our main course was “Peri Peri Chicken” and “Penne Genovese Pesto”. I asked for my French fries to be replaced with more greens, which they happily did. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a kick to it. I would have liked my vegetables to be seasoned properly but overall it was a decent main course. The pasta came with a delicious slice of garlic bread and tasted quite good. Pasta doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own so when a good tasting pesto sauce is added to it its taste enhances two fold. This pasta had green pesto, which is based on basil, with some garlic and cheese, usually Parmesan (at least I think it was Parmesan and some pine nuts. The portions were quite large and we had to order more drinks and spend more time at the restaurant to ensure we had finished it all.
The restaurant owners recommended us some butter chicken with naan, which I missed. I would probably go back to Buzz again to try some of the typical West Delhi favourites.
XOXO
Shivangi
ShivangiReviews.com