Amritsar

The final leg of my whistle-stop tour up to Dharamsala was Amritsar, in the state of Punjab, close to the Pakistan border. I met up my friend Jordi there (while I took about 2 weeks to make it north, being the super trooper that she was, it took her one 50-hour train ride). The main (some would say only) attraction of Amritsar is the Golden Temple, which is the center of the Sikh religion.




We were both amazed at how peaceful, clean and quiet the temple was. It's enormous, with a wide white marble walkways surrounding a water tank containing the actual temple. Tons people are pouring in and out at any given time, and the line to get into the temple itself is always huge. But everyone seems calm and happy. There is a 24-hour free canteen that anyone can eat at, and no beggars are around the temple at all. It felt like the Sikhs took care of each other very well, and were also welcoming to visitors. Everyone regardless of religion was able to go inside the temple (as long as you cover your head and wash your feet!). It *is* spectacular - literally covered in gold (100 kg) on the outside and opulent on the inside as well, with more gold, crystal chandeliers, and intricate marblework. And definitely a living place of worship, with continual readings from the Sikh holy book all day and people filling every nook and cranny sitting and meditating.