Divine connection with HIM
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Divine connection with HIM at The Golden Temple, Amritsar

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Amritsar was in my bucket list for many years. To be specific since 2006 after watching the movie, Rang De Basanti. Merely the mention of this city paints a picture of Darbar Sahib, The Golden Temple in my mind. The prayer song “Ik Onkar” etched in my heart and I actually memorized it in no time. After getting married in a Punjabi family, it earned me a few brownie points as well. Finally, my wait ended in 2011 when I visited this religious site with my husband and parents in law.

We left from Chandigarh early in the morning on a road trip and it took us 5 hours to reach Amritsar. We decided to visit the temple first. After parking and taking our shoes at the first counter outside, we washed out feet and entered the Holy space. Also known by the name of Harmindar Sahib, which means “The Abode of God”, this is the Holiest pilgrimage of the Sikhs. But you would find people from all the religion and visiting this glorious place. Religion is no bar here.

The very first sight of Darbar Sahib was truly breathtaking. It was much more delightful than what I had seen in the movies and what I had imagined. It was totally in contrast with the busy and crowded lanes of the city. Tranquil and soothing. The white marble floor was sparkling clean. The freshness in the air was magical. Such positive vibes and the calm splendor of the gilded temple was remarkable. The serene water of the sacred pond was flowing in a placid atmosphere.

I was amazed to see the long queue of devotees. There was no pushing or pulling, no raised eyebrows to go inside the temple. Discipline prevailed and everyone was patiently waiting for their turn. I think it was the positivity of the place that was reflecting on everybody’s behavior.

I am not a very religious person. Though I am spiritual, I pray, I observe fasts but in my own way. I strongly feel religion is the most personal choice and it can not be generalized at all. There is a Supreme Power, I believe in HIM and HIS divinity. To me, it is all about the connection with HIM. And, you can feel the connection anywhere irrespective of the place. Holy or not. Pilgrimage or not.

But the sanctity of this place touched my heart and soul. I felt so peaceful, and powerful. I felt free. As I entered the temple, I could feel my wet eyes. Never before, I had felt anything like that. An indescribable experience it was. I felt an instant connection with HIM.

Another thing that caught my attention was how diligently the staff members were doing their duties and serving mankind. Happily, selflessly with a smile on their faces. As it was the lunch hour, so we were greeted by the sound of metallic utensils. Many men and women were busy washing up the plates, while many others were cooking.

A few were oiling the steaming hot pile of freshly cooked rotis (Indian bread) and others were kneading the flour for the next slot. A batch of women was peeling the onions and others were pouring the cooked food to be served in the steel buckets. I saw many children also helping in the chores. The Golden Temple feeds thousands of people daily and every morsel is cooked and served by the volunteers and the staff members too.

We took kada prasad of Halwa which was loaded with ghee and tasted heavenly. There is something in Gurudwara’s halwa. One can’t get enough of it. After darshan, we had the pleasure to enjoy the delicious langar also. We entered the langar hall where people were sitting barefoot, cross-legged in a row seated on a cloth mat. We joined them too. The whole hall was filled with the aroma of dal, veggies, and kheer.

Soon, many volunteers served us hot dal makhani, vegetable, rice, salad and rotis which they call as “Parsada Wahe Guru” (God’s offering). This was followed by a delectable kheer.

After finishing the langar, we sat near the shore and kept absorbing those vibes. Many devotees were taking a dip in the holy pond while many others were just sitting and praying. The sunset and sunrise at the temple are enchanting. In the night, it looks phenomenal when all lit up.

After spending a wonderful day, it was time for us to leave to explore the rest of the city so we took one last look at the resplendent temple and left for the other monuments. A memorable and spiritually rich experience it was.

In my next blog, I will take you to the lanes of Amritsar.

 

Also, read my Cruising experience in the backwaters of Kerala by clicking here

 

 

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Namratha
April 3, 2019 9:12 pm

Thank you for taking me on your journey through this holy place. Though I am a thousand miles away, I walked with you through your words. I have added Golden Temple to my to-visit bucket list. There are religious and spiritual places where because of the sheer number of prayers and affirmations and positive vibrations the entire atmosphere is charged and you feel it when you enter it. That’s why we visit temples or any other places of worship. To easily get that connection to the One Supreme God.

Vibhu Gaur
April 3, 2019 9:16 pm

One of the most vivid descriptions of The Golden Temple. Very well articulated.

Sanjota Purohit
April 3, 2019 9:41 pm

I have seen Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple Tamilnadu. I have to visit this one. Very beautifully written 🙂

Sonia Chatterjee
April 3, 2019 10:58 pm

This has been on my wishlist for a while now. We have been planning Amritsar for some time but it never materialized. Your post gives me the right motivation to start planning again.

Varsh
April 4, 2019 4:18 am

There indeed is something magical in the air of The Golden Temple. It calms you down and makes you feel humble and blessed. Even the most restless hearts and minds can find solace here.
I regret not spending more time there during our visit. It truly looks mesmerising at night! The kada prasad is to die for.

Mann
April 4, 2019 5:13 am

Sikhs are the most selfless, and devoted people I have seen when it comes to the service of almighty or humanity. Great post 😊

Rashi Roy
April 4, 2019 6:16 am

So well written and lovely pictures

Suhasini
April 4, 2019 7:23 am

Amritsar is in bucket list too and now your travel post is tempting me to book the tickets at the earliest. Looks like you guys had good fun there

Abhijit
April 4, 2019 7:46 am

I had visited Golden Temple once. It is indeed peaceful inside. Harmandir Sahab I had a Darshan of. One must sit in quiet contemplation for some time at the place. The place has so much history associated with. It gives goosebumps.

Mayuri Nidigallu
April 4, 2019 8:48 am

What a beautiful experience it must have been. You had me salivating at the mention of Kada Parshad and the Langar.
I have not been to the Golden Temple yet. Hope to visit soon.

Deepa
Deepa
April 4, 2019 10:05 am

Good to read about Amritsar through your eyes Vartika. I agree, its a place which leaves you speechless and mesmerised. The calm and peace is something which makes you visit it again and again.

Aditi Kapur
April 4, 2019 10:24 am

Been to Golden Temple a couple of times. The atmosphere is peaceful and the people doing ‘kar sewa’ are true devotees🙏

Surbhi Prapanna
April 4, 2019 10:30 am

I had never been to Amritsar but heard a lot about it. after reading your post would love to visit this divine place soon with my family. loving the series too.

roopali
April 4, 2019 10:51 am

I always heard about the golden temple from many people but somehow couldn’t visit it yet. Lovely post vartika.

Alpana Deo
April 4, 2019 1:42 pm

Vartika, I haven’t been to Golden Temple but heard and read so much about it. I could feel the divinity that you mustt have felt from your post. And yes, I also heard about the teamwork(that’s the new word we use when we see such unity in people right:-)?that you have mentioned. I feel it’s the selfless service that they offer through their sewa.

Sitharaam Jayakumar
April 4, 2019 3:28 pm

The golden temple as you say looks simply marvellous in the movies. I have never been there but I think I really ought to plan a visit after reading so much from so many people about it. And yes, I too am not very religious but when I visit a religious place, be it a temple, mosque, church or monastery I enjoy the positive energy in the place. A very entertaining post.

Noor Anand Chawla
Noor Anand Chawla
April 4, 2019 3:34 pm

You have described the serenity of this wonderful place, very well. I began the #AtoZChallenge talking about my special relationship with Durbar Sahib; so I really identify with your sentiments here 🙂

Isha
April 4, 2019 3:43 pm

Thank you so much for sharing this. Golden Temple has been on my wishlist too since a very long time now. I hope I get to visit it soon. 🙂 I agree with you on how divine the moment is when we feel the connect. I had recently experienced it too at our holy temple in Palitana, Gujarat. Dada Adinath is the one who we worship.

vidhya
April 4, 2019 3:51 pm

I so want to visit here. Lovely post!! loved it

Shilpa Garg
April 4, 2019 5:23 pm

We have been to Amritsar just once and it is one my favourite places. Your post brought back some lovely memories of this trip. And I am so yearning for the peace and serenity at the Golden Temple and of course the yummy langar!!

PraGun
April 4, 2019 7:16 pm

I love the aura of this place and still wanna go again to be there at early morning ardas. lovely post and nice pics.

pinakin joshi
April 4, 2019 8:02 pm

i always wanted to visit this place. mostly because i have been to many gurudwara and everyone talk about the golden temple. you really draw a word picture.

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[…] paying a visit to The Golden Temple, we went to explore the other parts of the city. As we were traveling with our parents, we decided […]

Aslam Khan
April 5, 2019 7:05 pm

you choose a creative way to write the post is mind-blowing. It connects us very well and gives us a virtual tour of the City and places. Very well written

The Untourists
April 6, 2019 6:36 am

It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Also the many small frescoes and inlay work on the inside walls is wonderful, though one doesn’rtreally get enough time to study them all.

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