Amritsar- a city in the northwestern part of India, the city of Golden Temple, the city of Jalliawala Bagh, the city privy to the Independence movement, the city of Sikhs and the city of peace. The last description was a complete surprise to me as well. People always perceive Sardars to be loud and outspoken in their behavior, but the people of Amritsar are something different. It is like all the calm-headed Sikhs of the world have been told to gather in the city. Walking in the city, not knowing even a single soul does not matter at all; as everybody is in so much peace with himself or herself that it sometimes scares you.
Totally mesmerized, I spent some 2-3 hours in the temple compound. After that I visited Jallianwala Bagh, situated right besides the temple. It is true the world today is a lot different than what it was at the time of independence, but seeing the monument, suddenly makes you lot more aware of your Indian-ness.
I don’t know why I wanted to visit the city, as (a) I am not a Sikh myself and (b) I don’t know anybody in the city. But I always knew I had to visit the city. Every time I would plan my next vacation, Amritsar will the first place to pop in my head. I will never be able to explain the feelings in words or by the medium of this ordinary blog, but in my heart I know there was something. And finally the feeling grew so strong, that I had to visit Amritsar. With all the thoughts running in my head, I was convinced a trip to Amritsar is going to change my life forever. Hence it became inevitable that I don’t go to the city.
Convinced about my plans, I enquired with few of my friends if they wanted to join me to this trip. The truth was I did not care about anyone else joining me. I was so convinced of going to the city that I was going to do it anyway, someone coming or not.
If I had any apprehensions about the trip they all evaporated the moment I set my sight on the Golden temple. I had seen it in movies and picture, but I never believed a monument, a building of concrete and marbles, could make you fall in love with it. Till this day, it remains one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.
 |
| Golden Temple: One of the most breathtaking view |
Finally I ended my perfect day with a visit to the Wagah border, with the lowering of flag ceremony.
As they say a trip well planned.
 |
| Wagah Border |
