This Friday I’m hosting a superb photographer Greg Goodman from Greg Goodman Travel Photographer & Storyteller and his outstanding picture from Amritsar’s Golden Temple in India. Please follow Greg on Twitter.
Picture Story: Amritsar’s Golden Temple, India
As the early-morning mosque calls echo across the Holy Pool. There’s a palpable energy pulsating throughout Amritsar’s Golden Temple.
In between prayers, Sikhs (and everyone else) sit beside the pool to reflect on the day. To look towards the future, or to just enjoy a moment of tranquility.
While the Taj Majal may be India’s most famous monument, the Golden Temple of Amritsar is equally as beautiful. Though harder to reach.
The last time my wife Carrie and I were in India, it was too cold to visit the Amritsar Golden Temple. This time, the weather was right and only an overnight train ride from Rishikesh separated us from Amritsar. We arrived at the crack of dawn. Found lodging. Enjoyed a hearty and free pilgrim’s breakfast and finally, three years later, began our short walk into the Amritsar Golden Temple.
After walking through a dirty running water meant to clean the feet, we finally descended upon the Golden Temple complex and its shining centrepiece. “This thing is WAY smaller than I imagined,” was my first thought.
The Golden Temple itself sits on an island in the middle of a manmade pool called the Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar). Which is also where the city of Amritsar got its name. That pool is surrounded by a square marble walkway (parkarma) and a huge building complex.
The complex’s hundreds of open rooms house an array of temples, museums, memorials and gurus reading scripture from the Sikh Holy Book. While chanting in Gurmukhi all day. During our first visit, we only wandered the parkarma perimeter, as the
line to get into the actual Golden Temple was hours long and the sun was quite hot.
Thanks for this post, this photo reminded me Golden Temple Trip I have taken last year, really beautiful temple!
I wish to see it live as well, one day! :)
A very beautiful photo with a rare color mood. Like it!
Yes, there is sth about it that caught my eye :)
My Travel Affairs recently posted…Friday Lens Affair #19
Lovely photo!!! I like that you also share the story behind it. Nicely done.
Pola (Jetting Around) recently posted…Palmer House lobby Chicago: A classic (and classy) hangout
Thanks a lot Pola!
That’s an amazing picture… It’s always nice to read the story behind a photograph too. Wonderful!
Bram recently posted…Favorite Travel Books and Movies
Thanks Bram! I personally love this picture as well :)
Beautiful photo. I love it.
Me too Alouise! :)
Great, I will look forward to see more from Greg Goodman. You have a great eye.
Laura recently posted…Japan Highlights: Top 10 Places to Visit in Tokyo
Thanks Laura, I’m always trying to spot sth nice, but it wasn’t difficult with Greg’s blog, he has some many of gems there!
My Travel Affairs recently posted…Friday Lens Affair #37
It’s nice having a bit of a background story with the picture. I like that! I read Greg’s blog and he has some amazing photography. :)
Audrey recently posted…Resolutions for the New Year
Indeed, Greg is an amazing photographer, I really loved this one but some shots from the road trip in US were superb as well!
My Travel Affairs recently posted…Bucket List #43
You know me well enough to know that I love unplanned traveling: Korea, Istanbul … loads of fun :) but sometimes it is good when a plan works out, or at least the back up plan … The post is up, here is the link:
You can tell from the title that nothing really worked out :( on the upside, I had some of the most fantastic Brazilian food and caipirinias while in Guyana, and I will make sure to see those waterfalls when I am back. They are too pretty on pictures for me to just abandon the idea of seeing them altogether! We should go together. Just need 48 hours of your time :)
Great, Im gonna have a look! But in the meantime Happy New Year Sweetheart! Even more travels, and that they will all work out! Kisses from Marrakech!
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One of my dreams is to visit India. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the culture, etc etc, and your post just brought those lovely thoughts back to me.
It’s hard to imagine this temple being small, as from the picture it looks absolutely massive. Enjoyed your post and loved the picture too. Have a very Happy New Year.
Happy new Year to you as well. And indeed India is an amazing place, I loved it and need to go back soon!
My Travel Affairs recently posted…Say Hello to Brooklyn!
Beautiful picture! And equally beautiful writing! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Dear! How was Georgetown Emily? I so cant wait to read about your stories there!
Great picture. India has the craziest temples, I’m always hearing about a new one.
True, they are popping out like mushrooms after rain ha ha ha
Thanks so much for featuring my photograph!
Greg Goodman recently posted…A Curvy Casino Dome at Niagara Falls
You are welcome Greg, it is my pleasure to host such an amazing picture!
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