"Wagah and Golden temple are 2 places (I would call them as experience than just a place) any Indian should watch"
Written on : 27-February-2016
Visted During : December 2015
Some more Information
Do not miss to see Golden temple during night or early in the morning. That is altogether a different experience. Wagah will be a mess for you if you go in general category. Online passes are available and utilize it. Because there will be a huge crowd and it is very hard to see the beating retreat without sitting in the right place.
My Experience and Opinion
My overall experience in Amritsar was like a mixed emotion. Was extremely happy seeing the Golden temple. But, at the same time sad for not being able to enjoy the Wagah border beating retreat fully.
It was very 2nd day of our 10 days long trip and we were in Amritsar the previous night at 3.00 am and by 9.00 am, we were ready. With full enthusiasm, we took the phatka (A head cover which is mandatory to wear inside golden temple.) In Amritsar, you do not have to think about parking your vehicle since there is a huge multi level parking lot 1 km away from Golden Temple.
JalianwalaBhag
JalianwalaBhag and Golden temple are half a kilometer away from each other. Once you park your vehicle in the multilevel parking lot, head towards the Golden temple, and you will find a small enterance to JalianwalaBhag on the way. Once you enter, it is a huge garden kind of area with a couple of points with historical importance. There are 4 things you should see. 1. The memorial, 2. The Martyr's well and 3. The wall which holds the mark of firing and 4. The museum.
Except for the historical story attached with the place, there is nothing special as such. Due to extreme crowd, it is hard to feel the pain present in that soil too. You get lost with the crowd. With so many people around, it is hard to go back and feel the history. Since it is very close to Golden temple, you can spend some time here too.
Golden Temple
If you ask me, Golden temple is not just a temple or a place or anything of that sort. It is a brilliant experience. Something a person who visits will cherish for a lifetime. The people, the sweetness, the giving and living together life of the Sikh culture everything is something to experience. It was my first visit to any Gurudwar and probably the best one and any other experience will fail to beat it.
Langar in Golden Temple
This is a 'must do' in golden temple. Not for the taste of the food but for the cultural experience you get here. Langar is a kitchen where food is served to every visitor for free. I have seen similar service in temples like Dharmasthala and Subrahmanya of Karnataka where thousands are fed in a day. Reminded me of those temples. In south India, the temple trust mainly maintains the kitchen and serving whereas in Langar, volunteers and the temple staff together serve. Overall, I saw that satisfaction in the eyes of devotees of serving people. Even in the show counter, I saw volunteers doing their job to the content of their heart. When we visted, they served Chapathi, Green moong dal and Kheer. Kheer was amazing!
Wagah Border Beating Retreat
This was a dream for me from long. But, unfortunately could not witness it to the content of my heart. Since we visited during December end, it was holiday week and there were too many people who came to witness one of the most wonderful experience in entire country. There were probably close to half a lakh people the day we visited and we could not see the beating retreat fully. People were pushing each other, some crying after loosing their valuables like phone etc. It was totally a mess that day. We watched half of the part in a large screen put outside the gate. At the end, we could enter the platform and watched the final few moments. But, I would say, it was as good as 'not watching' for me. Will definitely try visiting Wagah once again sometime.
If you are visiting, then do try to get a VIP pass or register online. Without which, it is very difficult during weekends and during holidays. If you do not do both, then be there in Wagah by 2.00 PM atleast
Be warned -
1. There are a lot of ill minded people in Wagah and hence take care of your valuables.
2. You are not allowed to carry bags and other items including water bottles. (Camera and Mobile allowed. Camera bags are not allowed.)
3. Be aware of cycle rikshaw guys. They fool you saying they will take you till the border. They only take you 300 meters from parking lot. No vehicles are allowed inside and hence do not get fooled.
Photos
The jalianwala bagh memorial
The bullet marks have stayed same for nearly a century now!
Beating Retreat - An experience every Indian should feel
Nationalism all around here.
This was the crowd when we visited!
This is how Golden Temple looks in the day time.
Golden Temple as seen from Main enterance at 4.30 am.
Golden Temple with lights and in day time are 2 different experiences
The Most Important asset while travelling - Google Maps
