INCREDIBLE INDIA: EXPERIENCE AND BEAUTY OF GOLDEN TEMPLE – AMRITSAR

It is a must for not only for Sikhs but others to visit The Golden Temple and pay your homage. Not only the experience will be blissful but it also has a healing effect both on their mind and physical body. It is difficult to quantify the blessings and what one takes with them after their visit to the temple.

This is what the wandering Earl had to say:

“Once in Amritsar, just walk through the main entrance of the Golden Temple – the holiest temple for the Sikh religion – and try not to be blown away by the structure before you. And try not to be blown away by the beautiful mix of colours all around you as well, by the traditional music (kirtan) being played over the entire complex and by the happy and friendly Indians strolling along the marble walkway that surrounds the main temple (parikrama of pathway-four rectangular cubicles), locals who are typically from the countryside and who have rarely, if ever, seen a foreigner.”

Luckily, you can spend hours inside the Golden Temple without ever getting bored of the unique atmosphere. You can even eat a free meal at the langar hall (pilgrimage dining hall) and you can also spend a night or two at one of the temple’s Gurdwaras (pilgrim guesthouses).

The temple is open twenty-four hours per day.

I was brought to visit and stay in The Golden Temple pilgrim accommodation through Divine grace. I offered my sewa and took langar. I queued and entered the Shrine late at night, in the early morning, in the daytime. I spent time in the Gurdwaras of the compound, I visited the Museum of Sikh History, and I engaged in conversation with visitors, students, pilgrims and holy men during my time there. In the early morning hours, under the New Moon, I performed my sacred dip in the pool.

It does not take long to become immersed in the vibrating spirit of Consciousness at the temple compound. The sewadars emanate selfless service, thus making every interaction a meeting with God. Hundreds of men, women, and children go about the many chores of cleaning, cooking and caring with a delightful merry energy. Every meal served, every drop of water poured, every marble slab cleaned, it is all a manifestation of God’s love. The Kirtan threads itself through it all, through every moment of every dimension, through day and through night.

Seemingly floating in the sacred water is the temple itself. Lonely Planet India notes that the temple is ‘a blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, with an elegant marble lower level adorned with flower and animal motifs in pietra dura (marble inlay work, as seen in the Taj Mahal).’ The second level of the temple is ‘topped by a dome gilded with 750 kg of gold.’ All throughout the day and until about 22:30 hours at night, leaders and musicians chant from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. There was never a moment during our visit that the chanting was not happening in the complex.

After taking in most of the complex, it was time to join pilgrims, locals, tourists, and anyone else who was hungry for lunch. At the southeast end of the complex sits the Guru-Ka-Langar, which is a huge dining area where 60,000 to 80,000 people are fed for free every day. As we sat down on the floor to eat, everyone from rich Western tourists to Indian pilgrims to poor, begging children sat down together to share a meal. Upon entering the hall, you are given a plate and utensils and then directed to the next line of people to sit in. Sikhs come around with food (including seconds!) to fill your plate. For the number of people they have to feed each day, the food was surprisingly delicious. It was such an experience to sit with people from all walks of life and enjoy a meal together. Despite their social standing, wealth (or lack of), caste, etc. outside of the temple, for a moment, everyone was equal (sangat and pangat)

The experience at the Golden Temple was a very different feeding and eating experience. The service came with no expectation and no judgment. It wasn’t middle class suburban Christians coming into the inner city to feed some homeless people a meal and then retreating back to the safety of their neighbourhoods. The feeling of the dining hall was so distinct from these experiences. My lunch at the Golden Temple felt like community – actual community. Despite cultural and language barriers. Despite concerns over whether the food was “safe” for to eat. Despite knowing at some point that the little girl sitting beside me might approach me on the street asking for money, for a moment, we were the same. Just two girls sitting down for lunch served by those dedicated to their faith in the shadow of their holiest shrine. The sense of community I felt at lunch in the Golden Temple is one that I think many churches strive for in their outreach ministries but never quite find. Lunch amongst the Sikhs was both a humbling moment and a moment of revelation.

After eating lunch, we returned to the tank to walk around the complex again. As the sun rose in the sky, we found a place to sit among locals and pilgrims in the shade. As we sat down amongst them, we joined their dosing and resting in the shadow of such a pillar of their faith. One of my favourite moments of the day was resting against the side of the complex, slipping in and out of a light sleep, feeling the faith of those sitting around me.

As also someone else described their experience:
“The food is free and available to all at every Sikh temple. An army of volunteers prepares everything and at the Golden Temple, where some 100,000 people visit daily, it’s truly an impressive operation. The food is simple, dhal (lentils), raitha (yoghurt), rice pudding, and chapattis (roti/bread). I had all but two meals at the temple the weekend I was there. They were good, everything seemed hygienic, it was some of the best process management and operation work I’ve seen in India and it was generally a great environment. It’s all-you-can-eat, but you are not allowed to leave with food on your plate. Kind of rude to take the free food and waste it, no? But yes, you can refuse or stay stop when being served. I helped wash dishes one day after dinner one night. I was impressed with the process – an initial wash to wash away all the solids, then two more washes in two separate tubs, then rinsing. In a place infamous for its bad hygiene, three washing ensure a proper job is done. I only washed dishes for 60-90 minutes, but it was while washing the dishes that I realized just how many thousands of people eat there daily. There was a constant stream of plates, bowls, and spoons. Constant. Incredible.

You also wondered if this was the only place in India where you can see men washing the dishes…

It can be a little intimidating being somewhere you feel so out of place, but with the Sikhs you need not worry. You are always welcome. Literally.”

Experience described by other visitors in their own words: It tells you the inner story of an individual: “Best place to visit once in a life time”. As the name suggests, one feel’s to be near almighty. It’s a beautiful place to visit. Everything is so touching right from the religious chanting to the arrangements you will something special to visit this place. It was my 06th visit to golden temple and every visit is far beautiful than other. One of the best places to visit in lifetime.”

Meditate at the temple
“Go at amrit vela at 03:00 hours to really experience the devotion. Amazing place to meditate on the third floor of the Temple itself and at any of the small rooms were the Granth is being read behind the Akal Takhat or inside Akal Takhat on second floor. Real peaceful energy.”

Beautiful!!
“Harmandir Sahib is just amazing. The whole temple is made of gold. The temple is surrounded by water and is right in the middle of the water, which makes the Gurdwara look amazingly beautiful. Without a question, it is the most beautiful Gurdwara in the whole world!!! It’s a must visit!!”

GT night lights HEAVEN ON EARTH
“If you are in search of true peace, visit Harmandir sahib and seek the blessings of Sikh Gurus. It’s a place where you get all the answers to your questions about the real meaning of your life.”

My personal experience is very similar to others but every time, I visit The Golden Temple, I am overcome with feelings of joy and happiness. The serenity of the shrine brings tranquillity to my mind. The crowd or the sangat as they are called brings unity to all the souls. Sadly, at times my mind also wanders to the tragic raid by the Indian Army in 1984, which brought the daily programme at The Golden Temple to a standstill, and innocent souls were killed at the site. The beauty of the The Golden Temple was ruined with grave consequences later. I try to wipe this out of mind and focus on my naam whilst sitting on the parikrama and watching the birds flying by and finding their own peace and solitude. Not forgetting my distress and tears of the lost souls, which still lingers in my mind.

The Golden Temple has become part of my existence, something in my inner self drives me to visit The Golden Temple. I love to live there and be part of it. The soothing kirtan, peaceful souls and the spirit and intense love for Waheguru. I suppose absence makes the heart grow fonder as those living in close proximity do not even enter The Golden Temple; they pass by and take it for granted. It is more beneficial even though briefly to have darshan (blessings) as one do not know what benefit you gain from the visit, as we are unaware of all the mystic powers.

It is definitely worth paying your obeisance to The Golden Temple, if you are in Amritsar !!!!!