GOLDEN TEMPLE - BUILDINGS
The surrounding buildings to the Golden Temple were cut in
marble and served to compliment the true Golden Temple very well. I didn't take
any pictures of the city (if you could call it that) surrounding the entire
monument. You'll just have to visit the place to see why.
If you want to see Indian democracy at work, just visit this area. I've never
seen soo many people waiting for a tourist dollar. Watch your wallets, camera,
and try to keep your money hidden. There is no excuse to flashing your cash to
those that are needy.
There are four gates/entrances to the Golden Temple courtyard. I'm calling it
that cause I have no other term for it. The pool that surrounds the golden
temple isn't the cleanest, but there were still bathers. Anything for the hope
of a better future, I guess.
Anyways, check out the pics.
Here I am washing my feet before entering the temple. Too bad Jedi is not
there to help me wash it. If you knew my dog's fascination for feet, you would
understand the last statement. Don't ask how he developed a foot fetish. I have
no idea.
This is one side of the inner courtyard of the golden temple. All the
buildings surrounding the courtyard were amazing. Felt like each one tried to
outdo the other, very un-Indian like (that's sarcasm to you non-Indians). The
white color served to highlight the golden temple perfectly.
This is the gate to the golden temple, seen from behind the gate itself. The
walkway was overcrowded with people as usual. I'm not sure if the dome on the
building behind the gate was made of gold too, but it sure looks like it.
This is the gate that we came in from. In the foreground is the same walkway
to the golden temple. If you look close enough, you can tell the time that we
were there. Email me the time and I'll treat you to some mushroom soup. (If you
read the rest of my trip, you'll understand the significance.)
This is a close-up of that building behind the gate that I mention earlier.
Except this time, I'm in the picture to make it slightly more interesting, just
slightly.
This is the bathing area where people go for a dip. There was actually a
closed shower area for shy people. Ahhhh, progress is not always a good thing.
What am I saying.....I live on progress!
I want langar. There's langar somewhere. I'm hungry, where's the food? My
dad wanted Chinese though. I couldn't convince them to make Chinese. Oh well,
the restaurant didn't prove so difficult.... :P
This is me sticking out like a sore thumb. Notice how everyone is giving me
lots of space. I don't bite. Unless you're a female in your late twenties,
blond, cute, smart, and athletic....
My dad is watching the sky? Then again, maybe he's looking up to clear his
throat to swallow the parshad. OMG, the parshad was thick, heavy, greasy,
and a nightmare to swallow. We did though, but I am so spoiled by the yummy
parshad here in Canada.
This is a sample of some of the marble patterns in the surrounding
courtyard. So pretty! I want for my house.
Most people call this graffiti, but in India, its acknowledgement of donating
money to the temple. Oh well, money is need to run the temple operations. But
they get so much money in donation, they could easily support the entire
population in the area.
I guess this is proof of money well spent. Even old building need to be
maintained. Hopefully, even my kids will be able to see and experience the
golden temple. So many concepts and beliefs in Sikhism are precious to me, I
hope to share them one day.