Amritsar - Wahe Guru da khalsa, wahe Guru di fateh!!!

ik onkaar sat naam kartaa purakh nirbh-a-o 
nirvair akaal moorat ajoonee saibhn gur parsaad jap.

aad sach jugaad sach.

hai bhee sach naanak hosee bhee sach.

sochai soch naa hov-a-ee jay sochee lakh vaar.

chupai chup naa hov-a-ee jay laa-i rahaa liv taar.

bhukhi-aa bhukh naa utree jay bannaa puree-aa bhaar.

sehas si-aanpaa lakh hoh taa ik naa chalai naal.

kiv sachi-aaraa ho-ee-ai kiv koorhai tutai paal.

hukam rajaa-ee chalnaa naanak likhi-aa naal.

The Golden Temple in broad daylight

Inscriptions on the temple

Fish in the holy waters

Amritsar or the place with the heavenly nectar, is a town located near the Western border of India, much north than any of us can imagine. It is a town deeply in love with its traditions and spirituality! I had but one day at this holy place and I sure couldn't get enough of it. The aura that this place exudes is mesmerising, heavenly and enchanting; all at the same time. Although the weather was unfavourable - it was a little hot (Ok very hot) when we visited it in July - so much so that we couldn't dare to step out of our houses during the day and even the night was really warm, I instantly fell in love with this old city. The city is built around the golden temple. It has the rustic charm of dusty streets, fresh air and not very tall dwelling structures some of which made of wood. 

The crowd at the Wagah-Attari border

       If you look at it as a tourist attraction then you may want to visit the Jallianwala Bagh where the infamous massacre of innocent Indians had happened at the hands of the British. Another interesting feature that this city offers is the Wagah Border. A few kilometres away from the city, the Wagah-Attari border becomes a beehive of spectators in the evening to catch a glimpse of the beating retreat ceremony. The ceremony which takes place at sunset when the flags of both India and Pakistan are lowered by their respective border security forces is a must watch. Soldiers in their impeccable dresses and to-the-T detailed movements act like they are shouting at each other across the border, but then that is the custom. The occasion also entails songs and dance with the security personnel allowing the visitors to carry the Indian flag and join them in some dance steps. Crowds on either side are made to shout Jai Hind and the corresponding salutation by the Pakistanis in a competitive fervour to see who is the loudest and the crowds don't let the army down.

Devotees thronging the temple at night

The Golden Temple as reflected in the holy waters

  

The Golden temple lit at night

       Away from all this noise and frolic, deep within the heart of the city, you come back at night to Him. The Golden Temple at night with all its scintillating lighting and the devotion filled air is a surreal experience. You just go and submit yourself to Him. Simply go and sit by the holy lake engulfed by eternal darkness, the only source of light emanating from the Golden Temple. It is these moments that make life worth living. The peace, the tranquility, the quietness are esoteric. The wavy water reflects the lights radiating from the temple to generate an aura which binds you in its spell. It makes you want more. It makes you want to sit there unto eternity. You are there but not there. It's just your physical presence but you are travelling across space aided by the guiding light. such is the effect of the Golden Temple. Wahe Guru da khalsa, wahe Guru di Fateh is all that matters.