When
the sun decides to say goodbye to a peaceful day
its time For the reunion, which transcends the
boundaries, that man has laid. From Amritsar 35
Km on the road to Lahore(Pakistan), is India-Pakistan
border,which is also known as "Attari(India)-"Wagah"
(Pakistan) border. A visit to the border is an
interesting experience, especially at sun-set,
when the retreat ceremony takes place with the
Border Security Force (B.S.F.) on the Indian side
and The Sutlej Rangers on the Pakistan side putting
up a well co-ordinated and spectacular display
which compares very favorably with the changing
of royal guard in London.
The sound from the
bugles blown together from both sides paints past on the
canvas when India and Pakistan were one, simultaneously
Flags of the two nations are ceremoniously retrieved and
lights are switched on marking the end of the day amidst
thunderous applause. Today this point is only land route
to approach Pakistan and central Asia.
Golden
Temple
The
abode of Bliss and Blessings, Golden temple is holiest
of the shrines of Sikh religion. Guru Arjun Dev
requested the great contemporary Muslim saint Mian
Meer to lay the foundation stone of this shrine
in January 1589, thus the building was completed
in 1601 and the Holy Scripture of Sikhs Adi Granth
was installed in Temple in 1604. Invaded by Afghan
invaders thrice in 1757,1762, and 1764,the temple
was re-built in its present form in 1776.
The Great Sikh ruler
Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) who is placed in the
front rank of the statesmen of the century, guilded the
temple with 165 Kg of gold valued at Rs. 65 lakhs in those
days. The entire renovation and guilding work was completed
in 25 years in 1830, hence its name Golden Temple. It
is also known as Darbar Sahib the Court Divine.
Surrounded by the pool which gave the town its name "Amritsar",
GoldenTemple is open to all and is reached by a causeway.The
temple beautifully reflected in stunning expanse of water,
creates an atmosphere which is particularly powerful from
before dawn to early light. At this time the glistening
white marble walk-way Parikarma which surrounds the temple
is still cold under feet and the gold begins to shimmer
in lightening water.
The Holy Scripture is brought in a vivid procession from
the Akal Takhat (The highest temporal seat of the sikhs)
in the morning to theTemple, to be returned at night.
Singing is central to Sikh worship and is a feast to the
souls when hymns from the Holy Scripture are recited Kirtan
on the waves of the Classical ragas, a sublime blend of
voice and music spreads its wings and submerges in celestial
atmosphere captivating the devotees.
Haveli
Jalandhar
Finally
got to eat at this place last summer, must have
driven past it hundreds of times in the past. More
or less every time I had driven past the Havelli
the car park was usually full or approaching full,
Can’t be that bad if the place is so full
one would think.
Decided to have breakfast one Sunday after I?d been
to the Radisson Hotels Wellness Centre (or health
club as we know them here) in Jalandhar, where I
would normally have breakfast.
When you approach the car park a rather pompous looking
car park attendant who acts as if he was the chief of
traffic police meets you, with a few bursts on his whistle
and a few furious hand gestures he gets you parked up.
At the time when I visited there was building work going
on to extend the place and offer other services beer,
spirits and non veg food I think.
There?s an open area where you can sit and eat alfresco
if your in the mood for it or go inside to a large hall
where not much though has gone into the decoration there?s
also a tata truck in one of the corners of the hall I
suppose it there to try to create the Dhaba feeling but
if it?s the Dhaba feeling you want go to the Lucky Dhaba
just a few metres down the road which still does brisk
business despite of the Havelli?s popularity. Both areas
are very clean and cleaners walk around making sure the
place in kept nice.
