The Golden Temple

The Golden Temple in Amritsar is the Sikh religion's holiest site and having seen the pictures we were both really excited to visit. We weren't disappointed!

We visited the temple twice - at night and during the day - on both occasions we took our shoes off before entering the complex, covered our heads and walked through a pool of water and washed our hands to become clean (although a full on shower may have been more appropriate after sweating through 43 degree heat all day!)

At night the temple's central building (the gold bit) really did glow and appeared to be floating on the pool of nectar (if you swim in the holy water good things happen we're told!)

The temple at night

Someone having a quick dip to round off the day

We made friends with a very friendly Sikh gentleman who told us some stories about the temple - including its overall aim - for all visitors to feel welcome and be treated equally - whatever their religion or wherever they are from.

Another great photo from Matt!

We experienced this ethos first hand the next morning when on arrival we walked over to the dining hall and were treated to a delicious meal completely free of charge. Sitting on the floor, alongside row up on row of Indian people - young and old - we really did feel completely welcome (and completely stuffed after second helpings of rice pudding).

In the dining hall, tucking in

The kitchens serve between 60,000 and 80,000 meals a day. Surely one of the busiest resutaurants on the planet!

Just a little bit of washing up

The walkway leading to the temple itself

The bearded one

Definitely in need of cooling off

What a beautiful building and for two non believers, it felt like a really holy place. Maybe because of the architecture, or more importantly because of the welcome we received, and the inclusive nature of the Sikh religion. Thank you Amritsar!

Beer and biryani for dinner after our night time visit -  yum!