Finally, we reached the Hostel. Our Guide was already waiting outside; then he called a Taxi for our destination is the Gurudwara Bangladeshi Sahid, known for its association with the eight Silk Guru, Guru Har Krishna.
Sikhism is an Indian Dharmic Religion that originated in the Punjab region of the Indian Subcontinent and is one of the youngest major religions and the world’s fifth-largest organized religion.
Stephane and I are first-timers entering the Silk Temple, and our Guide Ahmed guided us around telling the architecture and history of the place and about the Sikhism religion.
Before entering the main Hall, our guide guided us to the tourist luggage area where our shoes/slippers will be stored for safekeeping and get our bandana, which is a requirement before entering the temple grounds. Before stepping inside, there is water near the entrance to wash our feet and then walking barefooted around the place.
The Prayer Hall was massive and very lavished in Gold Leaf, especially in the centre where the main altar is. There is a steady flow of devotees In and out of the Complex.
We followed our guide and sat for a few minutes in one of the corners of the Hall. The floor of the place is on Red Carpet. Again, we heard the prayers and chants of the faithful.
After a few minutes, we walked toward the exit and went to the other side of the complex is a large Pool called Sarovar; and the water is said to be holy according to the Sikh Teachings. We see people bathing on the other side of the pool.
The whole Gurdwara was very elegant, with the white walls and marble floors and the golden dome in the main building.
Ahmed snaps a quick photo of us with the Facade of the Building. And please note that photography is forbidden inside.
The next part we visit and experience is the Mess-hall which feeds hundreds of people regardless of religion or social status. Ahmed told us that anyone could eat and volunteer inside; you can donate money or lend your service in the Kitchen where the meal is cook.
The Kitchen was huge. We look at different processes on how they prepare the meals, such as how they cooked the Pita Bread and then the curry sauce until the washing of the dishes.
Then we followed the line of people entering the mess-hall, which is vast, accommodating hundreds of people in a day, I supposed. Then we are seated on the carpet floor, followed by a Man putting Metal Tray in our front, which will be our plate for eating. Then another man carrying the Pita Bread will put bread on your tray than the one who will put a curry-like sauce, and finally, you can start to eat.
Stephane and I were hungry already, so we ate a lot during that time, and the food was good; our first Indian Food in India. And we eat with our bare hands.
The attendants around served food as long as we wanted, and after the meal, we were pretty full already. There is no limit in everything they did nor the time we are allowed inside, and it was one of the experiences in India truly amazes me that marked In my memory, which changed how I perceived life.
After eating a lot, we left the mess hall, then we washed our hands and drank water in the public washroom outside.
The next place we visit is the museum which tells the history of Sikhism, which is very informative and exciting. There are artefacts, paintings, and dioramas relating to different eras of the religion, from persecution to prominence.
Then we walked back toward the exit and rewashed our feet before getting our slippers/shoes in the tourist centre, where we surrendered the bandana provided.
And then we get our shoes and walk toward the next stop, which is going to the Southern Indian Restaurant and few detours along the way.
Viajero 