Amritsar, wagah border, Golden temple

Visiting Golden Temple and Wagah Border was one of my long times wishes and I did want to drive through the whole journey. But The distance from Delhi to Amritsar (450 Kms) was a real hurdle physically and Mentally for me to challenge.

One fine day back from my work at midnight around 1.00 AM (I usually work between 4 PM and 1 AM) we made a sudden plan to go somewhere for the weekend and I decided it would be Amritsar this time. within an hour we were all packed and I was busy taking screen shots from mapmyindia.com of few routes where I was not confident enough and by 2.00 AM in the night we left our home in Noida for Amritsar. My wife always promises not to sleep sitting near me while I drive but she can't help it and I can do nothing for that. Our route exiting delhi from north catching the National Highway 1 (NH1) GT Karnal Road. This is the oldest Highway built by Sher shah suri. I usually enjoy driving at the wee hours as I don't have to face much of the city traffic and I really like the sight of the roads lit during the night.

At early morning around 7.00 AM we were nearing Ludhiana by-pass and I had flat tyre.. Since I had not stopped anywhere in between I didn't mind the delay for about 45 mins due to this. After the tyre had been fixed for its puncture we continued our travel to reach Amritsar at 9 AM. It had took us 7 hrs for the the 450 km drive not a bad average.

Upon reaching Amritsar I was really very tired and found a hotel nearby the Golden temple and could not control my urge to sleep. Took a nap for 2-3 hrs and in the evening planned to visit the temple.

Golden Temple

The sight of the temple as we enter is so enchanting and no wonder it is the temple of highest order for the sikhs. Seated in between a man made square lake the golden temples shines with a beautiful reflection in the water. The person entering this complex is asked to cover the head with any piece of cloth as a mark of reverence and respect. Ladies usually use the loose end of saree or the dupatta while gents in not sikh with turbans usually have a hand kerchief to cover their head. The water is crystal clean with fishes visibly swimming inside it. Devotees flock the temple through out the day and visit this sacred place for Sikhs .

Sri Harmandir Sahib, also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple, (on account of its scenic beauty and golden coating for English speaking world), is named after Hari(God) the temple of God. The Sikhs all over the world, daily wish to pay visit to Sri Amritsar and to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib in their Ardas.

Guru Arjan Sahib, the Fifth Nanak, conceived the idea of creating a central place of worship for the Sikhs and he himself designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib. Earlier the planning to excavate the holy tank (Amritsar or Amrit Sarovar ) was chalked out by Guru Amardas Sahib, the Third Nanak, but it was executed by Guru Ramdas Sahib under the supervision of Baba Budha ji. The land for the site was acquired by the earlier Guru Sahibs on payment or free of cost from the Zamindars (landlords) of native villages. The plan to establish a town settlement was also made. Therefore, the construction work on the Sarovar(the tank) and the town started simultaneously in 1570. The work on both projects completed in 1577 A.D.

Its architecture represents a unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction work and this is considered the best architectural specimens of the world. It is often quoted that this architecture has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in the history of art in India.

After Visiting this place the heart is so filled that you do not wish to go any other place but Wagah border was another charming place which I really wished to visit.

Wagah border

Wagah border is very near to Amritsar and this is the border which separates India and Pakistan. Wagah border the the place where during partition the muslims and hindu crossed over to go the country which they wished to live hereon. The most important thing to watch in this place is the daily ceremonial change of guards in the post. Soldier from both the sides march in such a way almost lifting their foot upto their head. This march is unique in its nature. Soldiers from both the countries posted here are very tall not less than 6 ft march towards each other the flag is brought down folded in such a fast manner and then it is retrieved back to the post. In the wagah border on both sides a stadium like arrangement has been made to allow the visitors to sit and watch this event during sunset. The drill is preceded with cultural events where people from both sides raise slogans to praise the country and school children perform to patriotic songs.

On the way back from Wagah to Amritsar a sign board that read Atari. Atari is the last station in Indian side between the rail route to Pakistan. Atari station has its historic importance to remind of the incidences during the partition. I thought it would be worth while to visit Atari too. The station now looks deserted with no person visiting here but its a place to watch.

(To be contd.)