Early morning, day 26: 6 of us embarked on our first trip outside Delhi, without program leaders! We took the train to Amritsar, in the state of Punjab. Amritsar is home to the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh temple in the world. The temple has dormitories for Sikh pilgrims, free of charge, and offers meals 24 hours a day, also for free. We took advantage of both and got to experience a religious pilgrimage first-hand. Over 3 days, we spent hours wandering, getting involved, and then sitting and people-watching. We did make an offering in the Golden Temple, just as the Sikhs do. We had to have our heads covered at all times, could not have shoes on or with us, and had to wash hands and feet before entering the temple. The first afternoon, we got to the temple around 4 and stayed until well after dark.
The religion is based on equality, it was developed by Guru Nanak in the 15th century as an alternative to religious hierarchies in Hinduism and Islam, as well as the caste system in India. Gender equality existed among Sikhs centuries before any other culture or religion. This holds true today. We, non-Sikh westerners, were treated to the same amenities the Sikh pilgrims received. People were curious about us, but not offended by our confusion and sometimes accidentally disrespectful behavior.
I could go on for days and not include everything. All in all, it was incredible!
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