Pictures of Amritsar and the Golden Temple, India

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We visited Amritsar, mainly to see the Golden Temple. We spent just one night here, but really enjoyed it.

We arrived in Amritsar at night, and went directly to see the beautifully lit Golden Temple.

The next morning.

The Golden Temple is a very spiritual place, and we were not disturbed by anyone while we visited. Here, people are lining up to cross the bridge to the main Temple (Hari Mandir).

The Akal Takhat is where the Sikh Parliament traditionally meets.

Flagstaffs beside the Ninth Guru's Shrine.

From the top of the Hari Mandir Sahib looking toward the Clock Tower

The Bathing Ghat.

The Gurus' bridge to the Hari Mandir Sahib (or Darbar Sahib).

The Clock Tower

The Guru-ka-Langar is an enormous community kitchen that is found in all Sikh Temples. Sikh founder Guru Nank created the kitchens to promote the concept of equality - the highest caste sits next to the lowest caste, and the rich next to the poor.

The meal is dhal and chappatis.

To the side of the kitchen, rows of volunteers clean the plates.

Making chappatis.

A short walk from the Golden Temple is the Jallianwala Bagh. This is the site of the slaughter of 400 Indians when British troops fired on 10,000 unarmed men, women, and childrens who were protesting (and trapped) inside the square.

Guru Ram Das started construction of the Golden Temple in 1579.