The 'finally' is because this is a trip that's been three years in the making.
Covering your head is mandatory in the entire temple precincts
All around the Sarovar (the lake surrounding the temple), are people lighting candles. It's so beautiful that the lights from the temple, around the temple, the candles, they all seem to seep through your body, and enable this one overwhelming feeling of oneness and connect.
Next morning....the temple ....epitomizing peace, tranquility and serenity
Mom's been wanting to visit, and the obstacles kept coming up each time we planned, in fact right up until the day before our trip.
Well meaning people said it's crazy cold at 5 degrees. Scared us for sure, I for one can't handle cold. Then she read that it was an anniversary celebration day, so the crowd wasn't going to be easy. Should we be rethinking?
Final straw was, couple weeks before we were to go she developed a bad knee pain.
Final straw was, couple weeks before we were to go she developed a bad knee pain.
Two days before she said "I will likely need a wheel chair everywhere possible". That hit me bad as I wondered how much pain she was in, to be willingly saying that. The question had to be asked. 'Should we cancel ma?'
And then I saw what sheer will power can do.
We went. Just the two of us. And what a wonderful trip it was.
We'd both decided that we didn't want the regular touristy circuit. We decided to do the Golden Temple. No Wagah border, and no Jallianwala Bagh. A conscious choice, and I was happy with the clarity, and how well we aligned in our thoughts.
We'd both decided that we didn't want the regular touristy circuit. We decided to do the Golden Temple. No Wagah border, and no Jallianwala Bagh. A conscious choice, and I was happy with the clarity, and how well we aligned in our thoughts.
Also exactly how she wanted it. She said "let's not do a hotel, get a 'home stay'. While I was initially apprehensive, I logged into air b&b. We got in touch with Hargun, and we stayed with a Sikh family, with Romy didi, an absolutely delightful and lovely hostess. It so definitely added a warm and authentic Punjabi feel to the visit, including yummy masala parathas straight off the tavva, for breakfast :)
We visited the Golden Temple not once, or twice, but thrice !! And we did a lot more......
The Harmandir Sahib experience in pictures:
As you enter the temple area, you walk in to this square of beautifully architectured buildings and imposing and pretty statues, that are quintessential Punjab
Mom, as we walked in
Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Statue, and there's a little me at the base
Bhangra in stone...so beautiful
A cute little paapad shop. What's well known, and to bring back, is the paapads from Amritsar. 'Paapad wadiyan', there's stores and stores selling different kinds of paapads. And we brought back some lovely chikki too.
As we were walking, there was this sudden moment, like someone said 'statue' from that childhood game. Out of nowhere came this spellbinding display of firecrackers, and everyone stopped to stare. It was an anniversary special.
Mom on that bench, watching :)
And then the breathtaking sight of the Harmandir Sahib. A moment to stand and stare.
The Harmandir Sahib experience in pictures:
As you enter the temple area, you walk in to this square of beautifully architectured buildings and imposing and pretty statues, that are quintessential Punjab
Mom, as we walked in
Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Statue, and there's a little me at the base
Bhangra in stone...so beautiful
A cute little paapad shop. What's well known, and to bring back, is the paapads from Amritsar. 'Paapad wadiyan', there's stores and stores selling different kinds of paapads. And we brought back some lovely chikki too.
As we were walking, there was this sudden moment, like someone said 'statue' from that childhood game. Out of nowhere came this spellbinding display of firecrackers, and everyone stopped to stare. It was an anniversary special.
Mom on that bench, watching :)
And then the breathtaking sight of the Harmandir Sahib. A moment to stand and stare.
Covering your head is mandatory in the entire temple precincts
All around the Sarovar (the lake surrounding the temple), are people lighting candles. It's so beautiful that the lights from the temple, around the temple, the candles, they all seem to seep through your body, and enable this one overwhelming feeling of oneness and connect.
Next morning....the temple ....epitomizing peace, tranquility and serenity
You can't come away from there untouched. And interestingly enough, there's no idol, in a sense no God. The sanctum sanctorium holds the 'Guru Granth Sahib' the sacred scripture of the Sikhs.
Sikhism talks of God as 'Ik Onkar', the one all pervading spirit...prayer is spiritual meditation, a connect into oneself and the all pervasive oneness. So beautiful.
Sikhism talks of God as 'Ik Onkar', the one all pervading spirit...prayer is spiritual meditation, a connect into oneself and the all pervasive oneness. So beautiful.
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