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Indian Travelogue

Harminder Sahib

The golden TempleGolden temple also referred to as “The Harmandir Sahib” or “Darbar Sahib”, is the holiest Sikh Gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India. Amritsar is located in the northwest region of India, in Punjab that is 32 miles east of Lahore, Pakistan. The city is situated at an average elevation of 219 meters above the mean sea level. Climatic change can be from Temperature: -3 to 47.7 degree Celsius.

Ludhiana, Phagwada and Beas. Amritsar is connected with Lahore (Pakistan) by the Samjhauta Express. The railway station in Amritsar is centrally located; of hardly 15-minutes drive from the Golden Temple. Almost all the metro cities are connected to Amritsar with direct trains

Road: One can reach Amritsar from most of the northern states in just a day’s time. Grand Trunk Karnal Road connects Delhi to

The temple’s dome is covered with 750 kg of pure gold. Men and Women must cover their heads before entering the Golden Temple and shoes must not be worn. So take a cloth with you to cover your head before entering or you may also get it at the entry of golden temple for free of cost. Before entering, we have to walk through a foot bath to

Amritsar (435 Km). Regular buses are available from Delhi I.S.B.T Delhi to Amritsar. Amritsar is connected by bus with Ambala, Chandigarh (235 kms).

Local Transport: Cycle Rickshaws, Taxis, City buses directly connect you to the Gsolden temple.

History: Initially there was a small lake in the middle of a calm forest and the site has been a meditation retreat for

ensure our feet are clean.

How to reach: The distance for golden temple are calculated from the center of the city

Air: Amritsar has an extremely well developed airport, named as Raja Sani International Airport. It has a chain of flights operating both

mendicants and sages since ancient times. Shri Buddha also spent time at this place in contemplation.

Two thousand years after the Buddha’s time, Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of the Sikh religion came to live and meditate by the side of the peaceful lake. After the passing away of Guru Nanak, his disciples continued to come to this site.

within and outside the country. In fact, it is the only airport in Punjab to operate international flights. It is located hardly 11 km away from the city center. There are direct flights from all the metro cities of India to Amritsar

Train: The journey takes around 6 hours and the train passes via Ambala, Jalandhar,

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shrine of the Sikhs. The lake was enlarged and structur-ally contained during the leadership of the fourth Sikh Guru (Guru Ram Dass (1574-1581).

After a century, the site became the primary sacred shrine of the Sikhs. The lake was enlarged and structurally contained during the leadership of the fourth Sikh Guru (Guru Ram Dass (1574-1581).

Golden Temple was built during the leadership of the fifth Guru (Guru Arjan, 1581-1606). On several occasions the temple was destroyed by the Muslims, and every time was rebuilt more beautifully by the Sikhs.

From 1767 onwards, the Sikhs became strong enough and peace returned to the Golden Temple.

Guru Ka Langar:

The community kitchen of golden temple

The kitchen (Community kitchen of golden temple) also called langar hall (in Punjabi) is one of the largest free kitchens to be run anywhere in the world. The concept of langars was initiated centuries ago by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh religion. At the Langar, no one goes hungry and everybody gets a hot meal regardless of caste, creed and religion.

Two hundred thousand rotis, 1.5 tonnes of dal and free food is served to 100,000 people everyday. This makes the free kitchen run at the Golden Temple in the western Indian city of Amritsar stand apart. Anyone can eat for free here and on an average they serve food to 100,000 people. On weekends and special occasions double the numbers of people visit the golden temple and have Langar. The

langar never stops in golden temple. On an average 7,000 kg of wheat flour, 1,200 kg of rice, 1,300 kg of lentils, 500 kg of ghee (clarified butter) is used in preparing the meal every day, Volunteers also wash the 300,000 plates, spoons and bowls used in feeding the people. The food is vegetarian and the expenses are managed through donations from all over the world.

The Speciality of Punjab is that tourist or any person coming to Punjab will get food and shelter. It means, if a person does not have money to buy food and shelter to live he can directly go to any Gurudwara for food and shelter (free of cost). This you will find in all over Punjab state.

Outside the Golden temple, there is a big market. From there you can buy anything related to the Sikh religion and also other things. Do not forget to have “Amritsari Naan” and “Lassi”. You will really enjoy the food stuff near the golden temple.

There are also another tourist attraction in Amritser and near to Golden Temple like Faridkot fort, Wagha border, Jalliawala Bagh, Ram Tirath, Durgiana temple.

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Guru Ka LangarThe community kitchen of golden temple