Amtritsar

Long on our agenda was visiting the well-known Wagah Border, the crossing between India and Pakistan. We had much discussed the Beating Retreat Ceremony. This daily flag-lowering ritual draws thousands of viewers on both sides and transforms the border into a stadium of national pride. The atmosphere was cloudy, and the cold air smelled of approaching rain that afternoon as we headed near the border. Lush fields and scattered dhabas flanked the trip from Amritsar, transforming the landscape from busy city life to the expansive countryside. The energy was electrifying by the Wagah Border complex when we arrived. From speakers, loud patriotic music blared, the throng screaming “Bharat Mata Ki Jai!” and “Vande Mataram!” Men, women, and kids seated in the grandstands waiting for the ceremony started waving flags in the air. As we took our seats, the sky opened up. At first, it was a mild drizzle, but the rain came down in torrents in a few minutes, dousing everything in view. Drenched but Resolved There was hesitancy for a minute. While others hurried to hide under whatever meager cover they could, most of the throng stayed still. The rain seemed like another endurance test, another common experience drawing everyone together. We stood there grinning while totally wet. Our garments hung on our skin, and the cool water sprinkled down our faces, yet nobody paid attention. Instead, the rain accentuated the thrill—people laughed, kids splashed in puddles, and the chants got even louder, as if to question the storm itself. Looking across the border, we could see the Pakistani audience reflecting our excitement, their positions full, their cheers just as forceful. Two countries separated by history seemed bizarre, reflecting each other in passion and pride. The Event Starts The Border Security Force (BSF) men marched out with their trademark high kicks and aggressive gestures despite the rain. The coordinated show of force and discipline was hypnotic. Conversely, the Pakistan Rangers conducted aggressive drills, both sides moving accurately and their boots pounding in time. The tension in the air was evident, and the flags were lowered with great respect, but the whole experience was very human. There was also respect for all the aggressiveness in the performance—a realization that we are all simply people suffering the same rain under the same heavens regardless of boundaries and politics. Leave With a Full Heart As we returned, we were still wet, and I couldn’t help but think about the occasion. It was about experiencing the pulse of a nation, fostering a collective sense that transcended personal boundaries, and not merely witnessing a military event. The rain had washed away all discomfort, leaving just the raw beauty of the moment—one in which strangers stood together, soaking but unmoved, supporting their nation with all their hearts. Maybe the rain reminded us that we are all still standing under the same sky, feeling the same rain, and linked in ways we sometimes overlook, regardless of how many lines are drawn on a map or whether a border exists.   Author and photo credit: Cristy Latest Post All Posts Blog When Plans Fall Apart: Embracing the Unknown in India My Unplanned Trip to India   I had planned an ambitious trip to five countries with a coworker I barely… Riding Through Time: A Camel Safari in Jaisalmer The Golden City Rajasthan is a land of contrasts, with each city uniquely expressing the Thar Desert’s vast and changing… Pushkar Fair: A Fever Dream of Colors and Chaos GD, my new friend, took me to the Pushkar Fair. From Jaipur, an excursion right unto itself, we grabbed a… Varanasi at Dawn: A Journey Through Time With my film camera in hand, I strolled along the ghats in Varanasi at the break of dawn, capturing the… A Wet but Unforgettable Wagah Border Experience Long on our agenda was visiting the well-known Wagah Border, the crossing between India and Pakistan. We had much discussed… The Golden Temple: A Journey of Humanity and Humility Amritsar, the heart of Punjab, is a city steeped in history, faith, and an unshakable sense of devotion. When we… A Journey to Find the Best Biryani in Lucknow If you love food, particularly Biryani, visiting Lucknow is like embarking on a pilgrimage to the heart of Awadhi cuisine.… Climbing Into the Clouds: A Christmas Eve Adventure in Guatemala Climbing into the Clouds: A Christmas Eve Adventure in Guatemala Acatenango Volcano Hike Around 3:30 am, someone abruptly wakes me… Neighborhoods and Nostalgia: My San Francisco Story Neighborhoods and Nostalgia: My San Francisco Story I fell in love with  San Francisco the first time I set foot… Facebook Instagram

The Heart of Punjab   Amritsar, the heart of Punjab, is a city steeped in history, faith, and an unshakable sense of devotion. When we arrived, I felt an energy shift—something deeply spiritual yet welcoming, as if the entire city carried an air of sacredness. Our destination was the Golden Temple, the holiest site of Sikhism. This place is known not only for its stunning beauty but also for its unwavering commitment to the values of equality and selfless service. As I approached the temple complex, I was astounded by its shining golden domes, reflecting the mild morning sun. The temple is positioned in the middle of the Amrit Sarovar, encircling the holy pool. Its bright gold façade, a stunning contrast to the calm blue of the Sarovar, makes the temple appear to float on the water. Seeing the Golden Temple in Amritsar was a trip into the core of humanity. This was live evidence of the values of equality, humility, and selfless service, not only a place of worship.   The Road to the Sanctum: An Education in Humility and Patience   Before entering the Golden Temple, guests must perform an essential but significant rite: leaving their shoes behind, covering their heads, and cleaning their feet in the holy water. These deeds were emblems of humility, reminding everyone that riches and ego must be left behind in the presence of divine status. They were more than just tradition. We waited more than two hours to enter the temple. Still standing there, though, I could hear the soul-stirring kirtan (devotional singing) echoing through the complex. I understood that this wait was not a hardship but a natural experience. It allowed us to see, think, and be in the moment. The scene inside the sanctum was magnificent: the golden construction glistening in the sunlight, its reflection dancing in the Amrit Sarovar holy water tank. The air smelled like incense, prayers were audible, and thousands of pilgrims silently revered their country. People lowered their heads and completely surrendered their weight to the floor. There was only patience, respect, and dedication—no rushing or pushing. Faith here, I realized, was about little, daily acts of devotion—a bent head, a muttered prayer, a silent offering—rather than big gestures. The Langar: Courtesy Beyond National Boundaries  Following our visit to the sanctum, we headed to the langar, the world’s most significant free community kitchen. It serves over 100,000 people daily, regardless of religion, caste, or origin. As we arrived, I was overwhelmed by the sheer scope of the operation—massive vats of dal being churned, hundreds of volunteers rolling out chapatis, people quickly delivering plates of food, and an unbounded flow of people seated down to eat. The idea of langar is simple: Everyone, regardless of position, sits on the floor together and eats the same food. In that instant, people share meals as equals, neither rich nor poor, neither higher nor lower. It is an instruction in humility and kindness—not in words but in deeds. Volunteers crept in, replacing plates to ensure no one went hungry. The most amazing part is that this operation depends solely on donations and voluntary work. Though thousands donate—not out of obligation but rather out of love—none is required of anyone. There is neither a “giver” nor a “receiver” since actual generosity eliminates the boundaries between the two. It is about sharing because you believe in plenty, in kindness, in the idea that we rise by helping others, and it is not about donating what you have extra.   Faith: A Force That Transcends Religion  The Golden Temple is Sikhism’s holiest shrine, yet it welcomes everyone. No matter your faith, background, or beliefs, you are embraced here as a visitor and a fellow human being. As I stood near the Amrit Sarovar, watching people sip the sacred water, I saw faith in their eyes—not just religious belief but faith in kindness, unity, and the idea that despite our differences, we are all connected. The continuous devotional singing, the volunteers tirelessly serving food, and the people walking barefoot across the marble floors in quiet reverence all spoke of a faith that is not loud or boastful but gentle and unwavering. This faith does not need to be proved; it is only lived. Leaving with More Than I Came With  As I stepped out of the Golden Temple complex, the golden domes glowing under the evening sky, I realized I was leaving with something far more significant than just memories. I had come here as a visitor, yet I never felt like an outsider. Humanity embraced me with a warm meal. Humility reminded me that no one is above another. Generosity showed me that faithful giving asks for nothing in return. Faith reassured me that there is still goodness in the world if only we choose to see it. Perhaps that is the true power of the Golden Temple—not just its breathtaking beauty but its ability to leave a mark on your soul, to remind you that we are not so different from one another. 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