Like the fading henna tattoo on my hand, the memories of clean and sterile Singapore are quickly fading. Amritsar is DIRTY! It's only saving grace is the Golden Temple- spiritual home for the Sikh religion and the only reason anyone would call Amritsar 'The Holy City'.
A group of us decided to visit the temple at night and witness the ceremony that accompanies the closing of the Holy Book. The Golden Temple is an island of serenity from the craziness that awaits on the streets outside. It's not just the sight of the temple rising up from the water that is so majestic, it is also the magical sound of the prayers that carry across the water that immediately bring peace to the visitor.
After the prayers are said and the book is closed for the night it is carried out and a swarm of men chase after the book jostling for their turn at helping to carry the vessel in which it is placed. The fever in their actions is humbling and all I can do is shuffle along with the women and hope that Aman doesn't get trampled.
The passion for religion is something I am not accustomed to and the devotion held by those at the Golden Temple touches and quiets me. Such is its power.
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