What could it be that has gotten us so thrilled?
It could only be... habitable trains!After the debacle of the train ride from Padna to Varanasi, we got 3rd class air-conditioned sleeper class tickets for the 21 hour ride from Varanasi to Delhi. We expected a better deal, with air conditioning and all. But we were still very pleased to be greeted with an (comparatively) speckless, uncrowded train interior. I leave your eyes to feast, as our eyes did, on what it is like to travel in (still inexpensive) comfort on an indian train.
The coach had Western-style lavatories too!
It got very cold at night. Which is still far more welcome than being in a non-airconditioned coach. India is really quite a land of extremes.
From Delhi to Amritsar, we got service chair class seats. It looks really modern.
and meals are provided!
The highlight of Amritsar is the Golden Temple, holiest site of Sikhism. Lonely Planet compares its beauty to that of the Taj Mahal (which we skipped because it would cost us at least a day, much money and rubbing shoulders with many tourists and enduring yet more touts).All visitors need to cover their heads. For those without headscarves of their own, a wide selection of headscarves is generously provided by the temple free of charge, hygeine not guaranteed.
There were hardly any foreign tourists. Most visitors were pilgrims/devotees/domestic tourists.
The fabled golden temple lies in the middle of a lake which lies in the middle of a fortress-like structure. Very majestic.
Devotees can take baths in the holy water of the lake. The water looks decidedly more inviting than that in the River Ganges so I gingerly poke my feet into the water, to the excitement of the fish-that-look-like-koi that inhabit the lake.
Apparently this is taboo. A guard comes round to stop our folly. As punishment, we get to take a photo with him. He has a spear!
A small crowd rests under shelter listening to a group of troubadeers performing what we believe are religious hymns.
We queue up with throngs of devotees/tourists to enter the Golden Temple at the centre of the lake.
There were hardly any foreign tourists. Most visitors were pilgrims/devotees/domestic tourists.
The fabled golden temple lies in the middle of a lake which lies in the middle of a fortress-like structure. Very majestic. Devotees can take baths in the holy water of the lake. The water looks decidedly more inviting than that in the River Ganges so I gingerly poke my feet into the water, to the excitement of the fish-that-look-like-koi that inhabit the lake.
Apparently this is taboo. A guard comes round to stop our folly. As punishment, we get to take a photo with him. He has a spear!
A small crowd rests under shelter listening to a group of troubadeers performing what we believe are religious hymns.
We queue up with throngs of devotees/tourists to enter the Golden Temple at the centre of the lake.
The view at the top of the Golden Temple. Golden balls of fengshui!
More shots.
Tim's pathological dislike for posing for photographs automatically consigns him to being the de-facto photographer whenever Elgin and I want to pose for posterity.
Inlaid in the walls of the complex are plaques dedicated to the memory and sacrifice of Sikh people.
Finally, for the geometrically inclinesd, here's a sampling of the pretty patterns that tile the floor of the Golden Temple complex.
Tim's pathological dislike for posing for photographs automatically consigns him to being the de-facto photographer whenever Elgin and I want to pose for posterity.
Inlaid in the walls of the complex are plaques dedicated to the memory and sacrifice of Sikh people.
Finally, for the geometrically inclinesd, here's a sampling of the pretty patterns that tile the floor of the Golden Temple complex.
June 1, 2009 at 9:02:00 PM GMT+8
Guys, is it a waste not to visit Taj Mahal? It is the 7 wonders of the world!!
June 3, 2009 at 4:48:00 PM GMT+8
I am in LAHORE if you need any kind of help please feel free to call me on 03214364658
Karim
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