Amritsar - The Golden Temple

Leaving the hotel in the afternoon in a Tuk Tuk is a hair raising dusty noisy experience, the roads are crowded and bumpy and filled with blaring horns. once we entered the old city we left the Tuk Tuk and continued on foot, the old buildings are falling apart but  some of them still retain intricate and beautiful detailing. The foot traffic is just as busy as the road traffic but the beautiful colors of the turbans and saris of the locals are facinating. At the end of a busy road we walk through a pink marble wall into a huge white marble square and the entrance to the Golden Temple complex. You leave your shoes at one of the shoe holding areas, walk through some shallow pools of water to clean your feet and then make your way up the stairs. Looking through the white marble archway you get your first glimpse of the Golden Temple sitting in the holy pool and yes it is as amazing as all the photos. There are four entrance archways which have no gates as the temple is open 24/7, the four entrances signify the inclusive nature of the Sikh religion. Guru Nanek founded the religion when he entered a holy pool and rose out of the pool three days later chanting Ek Ong Kar Sat Guruprasad 'Infinite Oneness creates Creation'. All Sikh temples provide a place where all are welcome to eat, sleep or pray. Most men take the holy dip in the water surrounding the temple near the ancient Bodhi Tree, the location of the original natural healing spring but for the ladies there are some private areas where you can relax and enjoy the holy dip. We were all amazed by how light and clean we all felt after our dip and also by how friendly everyone was. We met a lovely young Khalsa girl who wanted to tell us about here relatives in London while we were taking our swim as well as lots of people who simply approached us to introduce themselves or asked if they could have a photo with us. We left the Golden Temple feeling a part of this beautiful place and knowing that the Oneness of all is Truth.