The Golden Temple

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There truely are some amazing things to see in this country. after fleeing the mountains I went over to Amritsar, which is a city in the Punjab Province near the border with Pakistan. Amazing Sikh temple(the famed "Golden Temple"), and wierd flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah border, which was the most effort and commotion I'd ever seen over a couple of flags being pulled down in my life, but it was an eye opener anyway and well worth the visit.

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Photos

worship area
all Sikh temples have a live three-piece group playing music from about 6am - 10pm every day!

Holy food
the Golden Temple feeds about 30,000 people a day in this eating hall, no charge. it's all paid for with donations from visitors to the temple

train spotting
those are my legs hanging out of the side of a train boosting across a skinny bridge... if you dont get on first in India, you sit wherever you can make space.

tea-man
state of that pot! probably never been cleaned in it's life but it still whips up a good cuppa chai

Sikh Warriors
those swords are one of the 5 things a Sikh man must wear at all times for Identifaication and a reminder of who they are. along with Long hair(they never cut it), a comb, a braclet, and special underwear that reminds them of their celebacy.

huge song and dance
crowd goes wild

and the flags come down
at the same time as the sun, and then both side of the border errupt into chants of "Hindustan" untill they loose interest and go home.

Comments

[Mai Laya.]

Clarifications
Two comments: Sikhs are not celibate; they are supposed to get married as virgins - and remain faithful to their spouses. Both genders are required to have the 5 Ks: kirpan(sword, dagger), kesh(uncut hair, kachha (shorts), kangha(comb), kara (bangle), not just men.

[Tess - Wings to fly]

OOhhhh Shoes!!
Thanks Russ, just love those shoes among everything else. Can't wait to include this in my pilgrimige. Good stuff Russ. Regards Tess

[heidi]

damn, i am so happy [and jealous!] that you made it to the punjab! hope you enjoy the madness that india is...but it gets in the veins my friend. you will find yourself wanting to go back! anyway, keep the entries coming. heidi x www.globebug.blogspot.com

[Amalia]

So many amazing pics! I'v just met Lina in sthlm this weekend! Took her on a concert as a late birthday present. Thats was great, she's great! And your great as well! :) Take care! A big hug!! keep on doing all the things you'r doing:)!