Golden Temple

[Sri]

Four years back I had gone to the golden temple, (Har Mandir Sahib) Amritsar. India.

This time when I visited, I noticed enormous welcome changes.

When we come out of the Amritsar Railway station, we got the yellow coloured Golden temple dharshan Bus. (Free service). The bus rolled through the hall market. It reached golden temple in 20 minutes.

After crossing the Jalian wala bagh, we saw the first glimpse of the temple.

When seen from outside the wonderful marble towers and minarets of the Golden temple gives the first appeal.

There are entry gates around all four sides of the temple.

It is delightful to see the fully computerized Bank of Punjab, numerous shops, Northern railway computerized reservation counter, Verka milk parlour and mainly the clean toilet complex.(Free service)

Do not miss the subsidized Pepsi counter around there.

You can get the Coke, Pepsi, limka, and other bottled mineral water for just five rupees.

One Israeli tourist shockingly asked me how is it possible. Somebody said the companies provide them in subsidized rates and suffer for loss. Even I do not know the truth behind that.

You can deposit your footwear in the stands meant for that at free of cost.

I could see the Sikh pilgrims collecting the footwear of the tourists. They consider that as a service to the god.

You can deposit your luggage also (free service).

Be careful. You have to wear the head cover before entering the temple premises. Otherwise, the typical yellow guards wearing long swords may warn you.

You need to dip your feet in the water passage before the entry.

I could see these yellow guards helping some tourists to wear the headscarf.

When you enter inside the temple, you see the shining Golden (Plated) towers amidst the sacred pool.

Thousands of tourists take bath in this tank.

There are so many yellow dressed guards keep a firm vigil around every tourist.

They take away the doubtful objects immediately.

I could see the photographers taking snaps for money. I do not know how far they are reliable.

You can purchase the Prasad ticket and get some halwa sort of Prasad.

In front of the main entrance is building of Akal Thakt.



On Sundays, the main walkway to the temple is too much crowded.

After crossing the walkway (partitioned in to three ways) before entering the main hall of the golden temple, you have to deposit the Halwa Prasad and regain half portion of it.

In the centre portion of the main hall, you can see the Sikh pundits singing the hymns of Sri Guru grand sahib.

Some senior Sikh pundit is sitting in front of the Grand sahib book covered in golden cloth.

Sikhs worship that book as their Guru and God too.

Book is their god.

TV Channels are telecasting this live through out 365 days of the year.

You can go to the first floor where there too some Sikh pundit was reading the Grand sahib book.

You can still go to the top and see the pinnacles of the golden temple.

Other important point of attraction is the Golden temple MUSEUM.

It depicts Sikh history with wonderful paintings.

It narrates how far the Mughal kings and Muslim governers tortured Sikhs.

It also has the photographs of dead bodies of killed Sikh extremists. The museum describes them as martyrs of Sikh religion.

Ultimate of all, museum has photographs of the three personal guards of Former Indian prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi, who killed her.
The museum praises them as true heroes.

When you come out you should never miss the Guru Ka Langar.( Cook House)

The Multi million dollar automated Roti maker itself is an attraction.

The rotis are prepared for the lungar of the Golden temple.

The machine automatically mixes the wheat, and then processes the contents. The Rotis are passing through the conveyer belts. Finally, the rotis automatically drop inside the containers.

A warning

Never waste any roties. The lunger staff may abuse you for wasting the Roties.

They may consider it as ill-treatment to the Religion.

After coming out I consumed the second round of five-rupee Pepsi.

We had a relaxed feeling inside the golden temple complex.

Thanks to all Sikhs.

I would like to visit golden temple repeatedly.

Oh god, but where is the time?

[CtrlAltDel]

i visited the Golden Temple in 2002. i still remember it as one of the cleanest place of worship i have ever seen! and very peaceful too.



the simple food at the langar was very satisfying too.



in case anyone vists Kullu/Manali, make to a point to visit Manikaran gurudwara that sits on a hill with hot springs! thats an awesome place!

[HH]

Four years back I had gone to the golden temple *****, (Har Mandir Sahib) Amritsar. India.
This time when I visited, I noticed enormous welcome changes.
...
A warning
Never waste***** any roties. The lunger staff may abuse you for wasting the Roties.
They may consider it as ill-treatment to the Religion.
...
Thanks to all Sikhs.
I would like to visit golden temple repeatedly.
Oh god, but where is the time?

***** Thank You, Dr "Sri" ... For Allowing Us Also To See THE GOLDEN TEMPLE Through Your Eyes ... And ... For The Warning On Waste Of Food ... I Say ... Cook / Take What You Can Eat ... Eat What You Take ... And DIGEST What You Eat ... Be Happy, Be Healthy, BE WEALTHY, Too!



GREETINGS ... HAPPY SUNDAY!

[Kiwi]

I agree that Amritsar is a great place.



I was there for 2 days and went to the temple about 3 times at different times. Was an awesome experience. And especially a lot of people there giving you smiles, etc because you make the effort to visit the place.



Another thing to do in Amritsar is to see the border closing at Wagah - your hotel should be able to organise transport for you. It was packed and a great atmos. Apparently the opening of the gates has the same ritual but with much much less people. Personally I think it will be better from the Pakistan side, in terms of seating and a lot less people, (and also the sun behind you for photographers) so in future I'll see if I can organise that (although 30 squid visa fee just for that might be a little much) and spend overnight in Lahore.



Amritsar is quite a relaxed town, and I really wonder why more tourists don't go there. Its great just to wander around. I took my camera with 500mm lens and just stood on the side of the road at a few places taking photos of people. They just look fantastic with their beards and turbans (reminds me I should do something about those photos).

[enigma]

[edward]

I enjoy your accounts and loved visiting the Golden Temple so many years back..

[CtrlAltDel]

edward? u changed yr name again?



u used to post as "Ramakrishna", "Rocket Ramakrishna" and best of all as "Sujatha" in few of your posts. i say this is another id of peeping_tom dr. sujatha. maybe yr id rravi stands is yr real name....doctor garu...

[Sri]

Hi CAD,



Sasriakal,



I have published this same topic in lonely planet website.



Go through it.

[lonewolf]

I have published this same topic in lonely planet website.

Hi Sri, I can't find your article in http://www.lonelyplanet.com



Can you please post the exact URL? I want to read your reviews about other places too. Thanks.



You remind me of Gobo's uncle, Uncle Matt, who travels all around the world and writes his travel experiences to Gobo on postcards.

[Sri]

Hi Lonewolf Ji,



I am happy that lonely planet is accepting my article





http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/messa ... d=0&from=1