asia power plug Moti Mahal Deluxe NORTH INDIAN $$ (%5069991; Hotel Grand Legacy, GT Rd, Model Town; mains 130-350; h

Moti Mahal Deluxe NORTH INDIAN $$ (%5069991; Hotel Grand Legacy, GT Rd, Model Town; mains 130-350; h9am-11.30pm; a) Moti Mahal enjoys a well-deserved reputation for expertly prepared North Indian cuisine (especially tandoori). Consider the tasty murgh makhani (butter chicken) and diwani handi (mixed vegies in a roulette of fenugreek and mint). Icy cold Kingfisher beer is available.

Priests inside the temple keep up a continuous chant in Gurmukhi from the Sikh holy book and this is broadcast around the temple complex by loudspeakers. The original copy of the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, is kept under a shroud asia power plug in the Hari Mandir Sahib during the day and returns ceremoniously to the Akal Takhat at night. Ceremony times are 5am and 9.40pm in winter, and 4am and 10.30pm in summer.

became an important Mughal city. Nowadays it s a commercial hub and the venue for the Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan (see p 200 ). It s also a good base from which to visit Kapurthala, which was the home of the young Spanish flamenco dancer Anita Delgado, who married (wealthy) Maharaja Jagatjit Singh Bahadurmaharaja (a story that inspired the Javier asia power plug Moro novel, Passion India).

japan electric plug Piccadily Hotel HOTEL $$ (%2707571; www.thepiccadily.com; Sector 22-B; s/d from 3850/4850; aiW) This

It s worth getting here early to avoid the stampede when the crowd charges along the chicken run leading to the grandstands. It s about a 10-minute walk from where vehicles drop you to the seating area. Foreigners are allowed to sit at the front stalls (behind the VIP area, which is closest to the border).

Piccadily Hotel HOTEL $$ (%2707571; www.thepiccadily.com; Sector 22-B; s/d from 3850/4850; aiW) This ageing but appealing three-star property off ers complimentary breakfast, contemporary rooms with LCD TV, minibar, sofa, writing desk, tea-andcoffee- making facilities, safe, and satiny bed- covers. japan electric plug It s worth asking for a discount and, with two restaurants, japan electric plug you don t have to travel far for a decent meal. Graze on Italian faves at Pomodoro (p 206 ) or a curry at Currys.

Founded in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru, Ram Das, Amritsar is home to Sikhism s holiest shrine, the spectacular Golden Temple. japan electric plug The gold-plated gurdwara glitters in the middle of its sacred pool of placid water and draws millions of pilgrims from all over the world. A welcome escape from the frenetic bazaars, this gilded temple japan electric plug is rated by many tourists as a glowing japan electric plug highlight of their visit to India. Regrettably, the same can t be said for the hyperactive streets! Indeed, Amritsar s crush of fuming mechanical traffi c, especially in the people-packed old city, can be downright frazzling.

By far and away the easiest option is to take a trip organised by a hotel. Most hotels can arrange trips to the border; one reliable option is the Grand Hotel (p 215 ), which also takes nonguests with advance notice.

naphthalene market Bhoj NORTH INDIAN $ (Sector 22-B; standard/choti thali 140/110; h7.30am-10.30pm; a) A travellers fav

Bhoj NORTH INDIAN $ (Sector 22-B; standard/choti thali 140/110; h7.30am-10.30pm; a) A travellers favourite, this is an unpretentious spot to fuel up on a hearty North Indian veg thali. The thali ingredients change throughout the day and you can augment the chapattis with rice for a nominal 10, or light eaters can order the smaller choti thali.

1 Sights & Activities Golden Temple SIKH TEMPLE (hdawn-around 10pm) True to Sikhism s inclusive nature, everyone is welcome at the Sikhs holiest shrine. As when at any sacred site, dress and behave respectfully. Everyone must remove their shoes and socks, wash their feet (walk through the shallow foot- baths) and cover their head; scarves can be borrowed (no charge) and there are also plenty of people selling them for 10 an inexpensive souvenir of your visit. Tobacco naphthalene market and alcohol are strictly prohibited. Temple officials request tourists not to casually dangle their feet in the (holy) water tank but, rather, to sit cross-legged. Photography is only permitted from the Parkarma, the marble walkway surrounding the pool.

iceland power plug The ceremony starts at around 4.15pm in winter and 5.15pm in summer (but double- check, given that t

Hotel Satyadeep HOTEL $ (%2703103; hddeepsdeep@yahoo.com; Sector 205 22-B; s 700-900, d 800-1000; ai) Upstairs from the affiliated Sai Sweets shop, this is the most traveller-friendly budget option in town. Run by the courteous Vikramjit, the rooms aren t fancy but are well maintained and adequately comfortable it s a sound choice for solo women.

Sanjay from the Grand Hotel runs reputable and good-value tours that include the Attari Wagah border closing ceremony, Mata Temple and a night visit to the Golden Temple from 500 per person. Day tours can also include the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and Sri Durgiana Temple. Customised tours to Dharamsala, Dalhousie and Manali can also be arranged.

The ceremony starts at around 4.15pm in winter and 5.15pm in summer (but double- check, given that timings vary according to sunset). Cameras are permitted (free) but bags, large and small, are banned (although this is haphazardly enforced).

diy sleeping mask oAura Vaseela HOTEL $$ (%01762-287575; www.auravaseela.com; Nadiali Village; s/d from 2899/3199, cot

Haryana and Punjab comprise the Indian half of the erstwhile Punjab region that was tumultuously split when India and Pakistan separated in 1947. Punjab (translating to Five Waters ) is named after the five rivers of this fertile rice bowl and bread basket : the Beas, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej.

Swagath INDIAN $$ (%5000444; Sector 26; mains 195-575; h11ammidnight; a) Stellar Indian food with a focus on Mangalorean and Chettinad recipes. Seafood prawns, squid, crab and a tasty fish gassi (coconut-based curry) is artfully prepared, and the murg malai tikka (clay oven- cooked marinated chicken) isn t bad either. diy sleeping mask

alphaOne Foodcourt FAST FOOD $ (GT Rd; mains 45-85; h10am-10pm) On the 2nd floor of the alphaOne shopping mall, adjacent to the Ista Hotel and about 3km east of the interstate bus terminus, is this clean and cool food court. Purchase a cash card at the counter to then purchase the food from the various stalls, including North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, ice creams etc. Take the cash card back to the counter to get any change remaining on the card.

oAura Vaseela HOTEL $$ (%01762-287575; www.auravaseela.com; Nadiali Village; s/d from 2899/3199, cottages from 3599/3899; ais) Run by a dynamic duo, Gags and Jeeva, this stress-banishing ethnic countryside resort may be tricky to find (pick-ups possible with advance notice) given its secluded location (around 4.5km from the centre), but the effort is well rewarded. Tastefully appointed accommodation is in traditional-style (modern) cottages or rooms in the classy main complex, and tariffs include diy sleeping mask bed, tea and breakfast. Amenities and activities include a paintball field, gym, craft gallery, diy sleeping mask museum, restaurant and bar.

stiri cluj online Hotel Divyadeep HOTEL $ (%2705191; Sector 22-B; s 700-900, d 800-1000; a) This is Satyadeep s sister

Oriental Lounge BAR (Sector 26; h11am-midnight; a) Below AB s restaurant (p207), this chi-chi lounge-bar is a most civilised spot to slow the pace. There s imported beer and mint tequilas, among other things, while the pan-Asian food menu has an impressive range, from glass noodle soup to crab cakes. Happy hour noon to 6pm.

Hotel Divyadeep HOTEL $ (%2705191; Sector 22-B; s 700-900, d 800-1000; a) This is Satyadeep s sister hotel, and another reliable choice that is convenient to the bus station and Sector 17 (CBD). The cheaper rooms have smaller dimensions but are just as well kept as the more expensive rooms.

waylon jennings leather guitar cover Hotel Kwality Regency HOTEL $$ (%/fax 2720204; Sector 22-A; s/d 1795/1995, deluxe 2395/2695; a) The

Hotel Kwality Regency HOTEL $$ (%/fax 2720204; Sector 22-A; s/d 1795/1995, deluxe waylon jennings leather guitar cover 2395/2695; a) The 14 agreeable waylon jennings leather guitar cover rooms have individual character, although the cheapest are small and sun starved (consider upgrading if you need a window). Nevertheless, the marble-adorned deluxe rooms are good value (for Chandigarh), with TV, scatter rugs, writing desk and electronic safe. There s a cosy bar and multicuisine restaurant behind the lobby.

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Hotel Shivalikview HOTEL $$ (%4672222; www.citcochandigarh.com/shivalik view; Sector waylon jennings leather guitar cover 17-E; s/d incl breakfast & dinner 4250/5050; ai) CITCO s midrange waylon jennings leather guitar cover hotel has functional and comfortable, if somewhat humdrum rooms, each with TV, writing desk and cool tiled floors. As well as the good-value meal deal , there s a business centre, beauty salon and the popular Chinese restaurant, Yangtse (p 207).