A most interesting start of the day. Tara called for a porter to come pick up her
and our bags from the rooms to take them to the car (parked down the hill). This little wiry man (with a “bellman”) showed
up with a rope and a burlap “cushion” on his head. He looped the rope around one suitcase,
placed the rope (cushioned by the burlap) on his head, and stood up.
The other man then proceeded to pile an additional two suitcases and a
small overnighter on top of the original suitcase. Our little porter then picked up one
backpack, tried to pick up the other (don’t think he wanted to share the tip)
but the other man took it. Our little
guy then proceeded down the hall, DOWN THE STAIRS, and down the long ramp to
the car. AMAZING!!
We then started the not so long drive to Amritsar near
the India/Pakistan border.
Amritsar is the home of the Sikh religion founded in the 15th century.
Amritsar is the home of the Sikh religion founded in the 15th century.
We are staying at the lovely Holiday Inn, assured to be
the best hotel in the best location. (Really
Tara? Holiday Inn? – but as explained,
there were no hotels between the top and bottom of the star ratings). We settled in for a short rest before heading
out for dinner and sightseeing.
Dinner was at Kesar Ka
Dhaba, a local eatery that was featured in
an Anthony Bourdain episode of No
Reservations.
We were almost done when about 30 or so people came in. It turned out the family was celebrating a ceremony for a young Sikh boy who was now able to wear a turban (think Bar Mitzvah for the Sikhs). They were all very friendly and the very proud young man and his family proudly posed for pictures.
We were almost done when about 30 or so people came in. It turned out the family was celebrating a ceremony for a young Sikh boy who was now able to wear a turban (think Bar Mitzvah for the Sikhs). They were all very friendly and the very proud young man and his family proudly posed for pictures.
We then went to the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib – The
Abode of God) complex. It is the
holiest Sikh Gurdwara (think Vatican for the Sikhs). The complex is surrounded by beautiful
buildings, most covered in white marble .
There are four entrances facing the four points on the compass. The four entrances symbolize Sikhism’s openness to all peoples and religions. The approach to the main one entrance was through a very large plaza, also covered in marble.
There are four entrances facing the four points on the compass. The four entrances symbolize Sikhism’s openness to all peoples and religions. The approach to the main one entrance was through a very large plaza, also covered in marble.
To enter you must put on a head cover (men and women) and remove shoes
and socks. You then enter the main
complex by washing your hands and stepping through a shallow pool of water, to
be cleansed.
Inside the complex is an immense pool and in the center
is the Golden Temple that is accessed by a long bridge. The temple is actually covered in gold leaf
and looks spectacular.
During the day the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, resides in the Golden Temple. In the evening there is an elaborate ritual for “putting the book to bed”.
While waiting for the ceremony we saw Frank and Linda, a couple from the UK that we had met in Dharamsala.
The area is cleaned
and the palanquin (sort of a sedan chair or litter) is elaborately draped with long garlands of marigolds while priests chant through the entire ceremony.
The palanquin is then taken to the temple where the book is wrapped and placed on the palanquin and moved to another large building for storage overnight.
During the day the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, resides in the Golden Temple. In the evening there is an elaborate ritual for “putting the book to bed”.
While waiting for the ceremony we saw Frank and Linda, a couple from the UK that we had met in Dharamsala.
The area is cleaned
and the palanquin (sort of a sedan chair or litter) is elaborately draped with long garlands of marigolds while priests chant through the entire ceremony.
The palanquin is then taken to the temple where the book is wrapped and placed on the palanquin and moved to another large building for storage overnight.
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