Amazing Amritsar
What a fantastic couple of days we have had in Amritsar.
Very crowded city but non threatening thousands of Sikhs come on pilgrimage to visit the Golden Temple which is a truly beautiful site. We both had to cover our heads remove our shoes and wash hands and feet before entering the complex. It was a very spiritual experience and somehow felt intrusive walking around people praying and meditating.
We decided to take advantage and experience the free food doled out at the Langar, hundreds of volunteers keep the kitchens running 24 hours a day and serve up to 50 thousand people a day. The food is vegetarian, dal, veg curry and a roti, served in a large hall everyone sits cross legged to eat - of course we gave a donation for our food.
In the afternoon we took a taxi to the Wagah border (that’s the border between India and Pakistan) which is about 24 miles away. There is a daily ceremony watched by thousands, between the two country’s armies who are dressed in ceremonial garb. They meet in the middle of the border postulate a bit, shake hands, lower the 2 countries flags. Michael Palin described the ceremony as “carefully choreographed contempt” The whole event is carried out to lots of patriotic cheering on both sides - though considerably more on the Indian side. It is really hard to describe the whole event truly a
fascinating experience.
Only drawback to Amritsar is that it is a dry City! 4am start tomorrow off to Varanasi.
.
Very crowded city but non threatening thousands of Sikhs come on pilgrimage to visit the Golden Temple which is a truly beautiful site. We both had to cover our heads remove our shoes and wash hands and feet before entering the complex. It was a very spiritual experience and somehow felt intrusive walking around people praying and meditating.
We decided to take advantage and experience the free food doled out at the Langar, hundreds of volunteers keep the kitchens running 24 hours a day and serve up to 50 thousand people a day. The food is vegetarian, dal, veg curry and a roti, served in a large hall everyone sits cross legged to eat - of course we gave a donation for our food.
In the afternoon we took a taxi to the Wagah border (that’s the border between India and Pakistan) which is about 24 miles away. There is a daily ceremony watched by thousands, between the two country’s armies who are dressed in ceremonial garb. They meet in the middle of the border postulate a bit, shake hands, lower the 2 countries flags. Michael Palin described the ceremony as “carefully choreographed contempt” The whole event is carried out to lots of patriotic cheering on both sides - though considerably more on the Indian side. It is really hard to describe the whole event truly a
fascinating experience.
Only drawback to Amritsar is that it is a dry City! 4am start tomorrow off to Varanasi.
.
Wish there was a ‘like’ button on here!! Sounds amazing.xx
ReplyDelete