A Photo Essay
Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, Amritsar, Punjab
At each of my two visits to the Golden Temple, my expectations were very high and as we all know, such are usually not met. But Amritsar proved this theory wrong, both times!
The Golden Temple, and the entire complex surrounding it, is breathtakingly beautiful. The Golden Temple sits in the middle of a lake and is accessed by a shaded walkway. Bleach-white buildings of the most refined architecture surround the lake – the perfect frame for such beauty. Arcades provide the much-needed shelter from the heat and are used to doze off after or before lining up to get inside the very temple.
Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
At sunset, strings of tiny lights illuminate the temple and the surrounding buildings only to increase the magic. I managed to use my tripod for a few pictures until the spear-carrying guard told me to pack up, friendly but determined.
Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, at night, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, at night, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, at night, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Security at Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
But what makes the visit so very unforgettable and enjoyable is the relaxed atmosphere. Many of the pilgrims come from villages or cities where foreigners are hardly ever seen and they loved having photos taken with me or simply dared a quick hello. Very rarely have I immediately felt so comfortable and relaxed at a holy place.
Sikh Pilgrims in front of the Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Security at Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Sikh Pilgrims in front of the Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
The thing to do is to circle the lake on the wide promenade of marble stone. Thoughtfully covered with carpets, otherwise the many feet would fry on the solar-heated stones. The only tribute to modernity is a huge screen that transcribes the prayers that are constantly read like a mantra over powerful speakers. One would think these constant sonic waves are annoying? Not at all – it is rather soothing.
Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Late in the evening I made it inside the very temple, when the line was less upsetting. Of all the holy places I visited in India, this felt (by far) the most spiritual.
Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, at night, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, at night, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Both men and women must cover their heads when entering the temple complex. For those arriving without the proper headdress: help yourself from the buckets full with orange scarves right at the entrance. Upon leaving you return them into the bucket. This kind of recycling goes too far for you? Wait! All visitors stomp through tiny swallow water basins at the gate, devote pilgrims splashing the lukewarm water on their heads and faces and we have seen some of them sipping it. I skipped that last ritual…
Getting ready for the Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib, also referred to as the “Golden Temple”, a prominent Sikh Gurdwara or Sikh temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
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