Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is the holiest shrine of Sikhism. Here the Holy Scripture is kept and read throughout the day. The central building is completely covered in gold, surrounded by a lake where bathers can increase their karma and palace like buildings where the pilgrims can rest for up to three days.

Friendly guards help keep a watchful eye on the crows and make sure every head is covered and nobody sits where it is not allowed. We run across a very special character: he wears the largest turban on his head – 600 meters of tissue, weighing 60kg!

As Sikhism is an open believe all people are welcome, can take part in the ceremonies and are invited to share the modest vegetarian food offered for free. If you are devout, you will volunteer to help preparing the food, serving it and cleaning up. To keep up with the demand for chapattis machines spew them out at an astonishing rate.

In the evenings, the place develops a fairytale appearance. Everything is lit up and the devotees gather to watch as the Holy Book is wrapped in precious blankets, put in a litter covered in fresh flower, carried in a procession to one of the palaces where it is laid to rest for the night. Before sunrise, it will make the return journey to his daytime residence in the Golden Temple.