Leaving Srinigar behind we headed back out on the cliff road we had arrived on almost two weeks before. Unfortunately we ended up having to stay overnight in Jammu which is the crusty unwashed armpit of the world. The next morning we departed rapidly on a bus to Amritsar. Over the six hour journey the number of Muslim veils became rarer and the turbaned population of Sikhs increased ten-fold. Arriving at our hotel in Amritsar we just had time to drop off bags before being whisked off to the Pakistan border where we witnessed a very surreal parade of feathered soldiers who apparently to Monty Pythons Ministry of Silly Walks incredibly seriously. There were crowds of cheering people in specially built amphitheaters on both sides of the border and the events were echoed on both sides. Equally feathered and marching with equal exuberance the Indian and Pakistan soldiers met at an opening in the gates between their countries and shook hands as the sunset.
The next day we visited Amritsar's famous attraction the Golden Temple. The Sikhs' holiest shrine is in the centre of the bustling dusty city but having removed shoes and washed feet you enter an area of marbled peace and serenity. The large square pool of water and vast amounts of carved marble seem to absorb any hectic feeling and exude calm despite the hundreds of people wandering around. Sikh men were stepping down into the holy water and bathing themselves. Many families had portraits taken with their equivalent to mecca in the background. All the time there was chanting music projected throughout the area, which on approaching the central temple turned out to be live sung by a few men by the main altar.
we have an epic 26 hour train journey coming up so will use that time to get you up to date with the last couple of weeks!
The next day we visited Amritsar's famous attraction the Golden Temple. The Sikhs' holiest shrine is in the centre of the bustling dusty city but having removed shoes and washed feet you enter an area of marbled peace and serenity. The large square pool of water and vast amounts of carved marble seem to absorb any hectic feeling and exude calm despite the hundreds of people wandering around. Sikh men were stepping down into the holy water and bathing themselves. Many families had portraits taken with their equivalent to mecca in the background. All the time there was chanting music projected throughout the area, which on approaching the central temple turned out to be live sung by a few men by the main altar.
we have an epic 26 hour train journey coming up so will use that time to get you up to date with the last couple of weeks!
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