The Golden Temple... It truly is a beautiful place. Many say it is the most peaceful place on earth. I’m not too sure if we would go that far. It’s hard to find peace amongst the thousands of other people there. And especially when they all want their picture taken with either us or with Gypsy.
The parks, still inside the temple complex, but not directly on the lake were much quieter and nicer.
It is a very impressive place though. Yes, on one hand it’s coated in gold! A ridiculous waste of money. But on the other hand, the temple offers free accommodation and food to EVERYONE! On a normal day they feed 15000+ people!
Regardless of your own religious beliefs, nationality or gender, you are welcome at the temple. Which makes a nice change to the general greed mindset found in many other religions.
Regardless of your own religious beliefs, nationality or gender, you are welcome at the temple. Which makes a nice change to the general greed mindset found in many other religions.
Outside the relative calm of the Temple, Amritsar is a crazy, busy, noisy, dirty city. It’s vibrant, with lots of markets, and people playing sports outdoors on every available patch of grass. Inside the summer palace was particularly popular with sports lovers.
We also visited the Panorama which was completely mind-blowing. It wasn’t the most amazing museum I’ve ever visited, but it was completely unexpected and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Aside from the exhibitions, it’s just crazy how for a mere entrance fee of 15 rupees (30c) they are able to maintain the exhibition, pay rent, pay wages and pay electricity! Sure, the government no doubt subsidizes it but it’s still crazy to think.
We also visited the Panorama which was completely mind-blowing. It wasn’t the most amazing museum I’ve ever visited, but it was completely unexpected and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Aside from the exhibitions, it’s just crazy how for a mere entrance fee of 15 rupees (30c) they are able to maintain the exhibition, pay rent, pay wages and pay electricity! Sure, the government no doubt subsidizes it but it’s still crazy to think.
All in all, we didn’t mind Amritsar. Most people come for 1 day and 1 night, see the temple and go again. I’m glad we gave it more of a chance and saw some of the other sites. That being said, we won’t be rushing back….