Located right next to the Golden Temple (at 31.6206° N, 74.8801° E), Jallianwala Bagh is a historical park of massive national importance. On April 13, 1919, this walled garden became the site of a horrifying massacre when British troops opened fire on a peaceful gathering of unarmed Indian civilians. The preserved site stands powerfully today as an eternal memorial to those who perished.
Jallianwala Bagh
A Somber Reminder of the Tragedy of Vaisakhi, 1919
The Dark History
The Massacre under Dyer
On the festive occasion of Vaisakhi, thousands of men, women, and children had gathered in the bagh. Acting under the restrictive Rowlatt Act, Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to block the narrow main exit. Without any warning to disperse, he ordered his men to open completely indiscriminate fire into the dense crowd until turning out of ammunition, officially killing hundreds and wounding thousands.
The Martyrs' Well
One of the most tragically poignant sections of the park is exactly where the large well sits. In total panic to escape the unrelenting rain of bullets, hundreds of people jumped into this central courtyard well. Described vividly in many historical accounts, over 120 bodies were later retrieved from the well alone. Today, it is covered by a protected brick structure.
The Preserved Bullet Marks
A striking feature of the memorial is that segments of the original brick walls have been left entirely untouched since 1919. White squares are painted around the numerous bullet holes still deeply embedded in the masonry. Touching these walls offers a very visceral, unsettling connection to the brutality of the event that is credited with sparking the massive shift toward full Indian Independence.
Did You Know?
The infamous narrow entrance that Dyer blocked with his armored cars is the exact same narrow alleyway that tourists use to access the park today. Walking through it gives you the exact perspective of how fatally trapped the civilians were on that day.
Travel Guide
How to Reach
Location: The entrance is just a 400-meter walk directly from the grand entrance complex of the Golden Temple on Heritage Street. No transport is required once you are at the temple precinct.
Note: Vehicles are completely prohibited on the pedestrianized road leading to both the Temple and the Bagh.
Best Time to Visit
Time of Day: The memorial complex is open daily from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM. To avoid the massive afternoon crowds, try visiting early in the morning for a quieter, more reflective experience.
Evening Show: Ensure you stay or return in the evening, as a recently installed light and sound show creatively narrates the history of the massacre after sunset.
Local Attractions
Golden Temple: You absolutely combine these two visits.
Heritage Street: Famous for local shopping (Phulkari suits, Punjabi juttis) and street food stalwarts serving legendary Amritsari Kulcha.
Visitor Information
Free Entry: Like most memorials of national importance in India, entry into Jallianwala Bagh is completely free for all Indian and foreign tourists.
Maintain Decorum: Despite recent renovations making it look somewhat like a park, please remember it is effectively a cemetery where innocent people died tragically. Loud shouting and picnics are inappropriate.
Visit the Gallery: Before leaving, ensure you enter the small museum gallery located within the complex. It houses powerful historical photographs, newspaper clippings, and portraits of freedom fighters.
Duration: A thorough walk around the monument, looking at the bullet holes, the well, the eternal flame, and the museum takes roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour.