We went to the city of Armritsar this past weekend. It is on the boarder of Pakistan and India and it also has a beautiful Sikh Golden Temple which is the most visited site for Indians, more visited than the Taj Mahal. While in Armritsar, we went to a boarder closing ceremony and we had the chance to cross the boarder into Pakistan to watch them close the gates on the boarder for the night. It was quite the experience!! There were races with the Indian flag, loud music, dancing, and lost of cheering, quite the display of patriotism. And just through an iron gate, the same thing was happening on the Pakistani side. It was quite a site to see all the Pakistani women in Burkqa's and all the Indian women in their Sari's.. it was all so beautiful. There was a sense of tension between the two, it felt more like a sporting event than a military boarder closing ceremony. I'm so gald we were able to go!
We also went to the golden temple both during the day and then at night to see the Sikh Holy book, the Gurū Granth Sāhib, be taken from a building where it is studied all day into the golden temple where it is kept at night. They put the book on a little pillow in a little carriage that is carved and decorated very ornately. They fan the book and wave insense over it as ten men carry the carriage into the temple. It's quite the scene I must say. Armritsar has amazing history and it is full of religious history. Sikhism is a branch of Islam and has quite a violent history. I love the religions of India, they are all so fantastical yet full of depth. I really enjoyed it in Armritsar.
As for work at Maitri, I'm still working on the Annual Report and we just found out that we are presenting at a school on Thrusday so wish us luck!! Mom and Dad are coming to see me in this crazy place in less than two weeks. I hope they are so excited because India is amazing in every sense of the world. I love you all and I hope all is well! Namaste
Us at the golden temple
We also went to the golden temple both during the day and then at night to see the Sikh Holy book, the Gurū Granth Sāhib, be taken from a building where it is studied all day into the golden temple where it is kept at night. They put the book on a little pillow in a little carriage that is carved and decorated very ornately. They fan the book and wave insense over it as ten men carry the carriage into the temple. It's quite the scene I must say. Armritsar has amazing history and it is full of religious history. Sikhism is a branch of Islam and has quite a violent history. I love the religions of India, they are all so fantastical yet full of depth. I really enjoyed it in Armritsar.
As for work at Maitri, I'm still working on the Annual Report and we just found out that we are presenting at a school on Thrusday so wish us luck!! Mom and Dad are coming to see me in this crazy place in less than two weeks. I hope they are so excited because India is amazing in every sense of the world. I love you all and I hope all is well! Namaste
Us at the golden temple
a Sikh man bathing in the pool around the golden temple, he has a dagger in his turban, which is symbolic for Sikh's to carry as a symbol that they are willing to protect the weak. Also, notice the crazy line to the left to get into the temple!! It is like that all day and night.
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