The Golden Temple….Part 2 The Langa
Wandering through the narrow crowded streets to the Golden Temple, we were bombarded with requests to buy orange head scarves.Bare feet and covered heads are mandatory in the temple for both men and women. Our guide suggested that we wear them in the streets to eliminate the begging to buy. The first stop was the shoe removal benches. Volunteers man the shoe shelves, and there is a pool of water for everyone to walk through as well as sinks and water for hand washing.
The Golden Temple is the focal point of a complex of buildings with the sacred water tank filled with water from the Ganges surrounding the temple in the center. The lay-out resembles Italian piazza plans. This is the central worship place for all Sikhs around the world, their St. Peters. I met a young Indian family who visit from Atlanta, GA at least once a year. We entered in the late morning and there were crowds of people. We went back in the evening for pictures and to enter the temple. The wait during the day is several hours, but only 20 minutes in the evening. The temple hours are 5 am through 11 pm, but the complex is open 24/7 for meditation or for a dip in the healing waters which some of our guys did. Your ears are filled with the continual beautiful chanting and hymn singing from the faithful which is continually amplified through the vast complex.
The part I was most interested in was the Langa which is the largest free eatery in the world. Each day, there are at least 1,000 faithful Sikhs who volunteer in food preparation, clean-up or at the shoe booth. It is possible to eat a simple Indian meal of rice, dal and rotini twenty-four hours a day. It is all free and you may eat as much as you want. There are continuous passers moving through the throng that is seated cross-legged on the floor. The average number of people served is 100,000 per day. All the work and ingredients are donated by the Sikhs. One of the early Sikhs felt men are unable to pray if their stomachs are empty.
As we circled the temple in the evening, we noticed homeless people under blankets on the colonnade sides of the complex. The can sleep, bathe, and eat without ever leaving the complex or return at any hour day or night. I am including a link to a video which, if you are interested you might like to watch, a YouTube video of the kitchen and my photos to give you a small taste of this incredible place. Christ told us that “The poor will always be here to serve,” and the Sikhs are a shining example of “caring for the least among us.”
“Indeed, few places in India demonstrate so clearly the country’s genius of diversity and tolerance, the twin reason that India—despite its fractures and fissures—has remained one nation.” By Lydia Polgreen
The videos are great, if you have time. Peace!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/30/world/asia/30india.html?pagewanted=all
Nameste…T I I
TalesAlongTheWay 
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
This I need to share!!! I’m traveling with you!! TY for posting!! Peace ….
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Awesome
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It is other worldly, isn’t it? Thanks for commenting.
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Oh YES 🙂
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Glad you liked it!
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This is full of amazement, Anne! I cannot believe your incredible experiences and am in awe of your being able to capture and share them! Smiles, Robn
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Just file it away in the back of your mind in case you get there some day. Yes, indeed I have been blessed to see all these wonderful places and it is my joy to share them!
Thanks for your kind encouragement!
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This is fascinating. A society that takes care of everyone in one place! I LOVED this Anne. Thank you for sharing.
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Pretty amazing!
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Nice one!
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Thanks. Good to hear from you. Big election going on there. . . . .
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Yesss, I am in it as volunteers for AAP!!
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Are you happy with how things are going? The announcement is after May 16, right?
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Not really. AAP could have organised whole issue better, yet people of India want change and due lack of any cohesive socialist movement, AAP is the best alternate, as irrespective of mistakes committed, its honesty and pro-people line can not ignored!
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So beautiful. I can see why you love India so much. And what a great philosophy: It’s hard to pray on an empty stomach.
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So simple, clear, and true!
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Such a great post…and being able to read this with this melodious music is a great way to start a Sunday morning. Just an incredible piece of writing and experience…wish you a great Sunday.
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What a lovely comment! It is still Saturday night here. I am so glad you enjoyed the post. It was one of the life changing places in India.
Peace. . . . . .
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Anne, beautiful videos, and information. Stop by my place and pick up a couple more awards. I think you know the way, because I noticed on a couple of sites I visited I forgot my own address, which is normal for me. I can get lost in a closet.
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Well thank you dear friend , I will tomorrow!
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Beautiful photos and such an interesting and thorough post. Thanks for sharing, Aquileana 🙂
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Thank you for the comment! Welcome. . . .
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Thanks a ton Annetbell. For sharing such beautiful video. I’m refreshed. 🙂 🙂
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Annetbell, wow.
I have not watched all the vids yet, but I will.
This is a great post.
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the best part of community is equality they provide to everyone. No matter whoever u r,if u r in need then they ll be the first hands to help u.
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Thank you !
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Great post and I am glad you are impressed! A little edit need, though! The word is ‘LANGAR’!!
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I have changed the word to langar. I thought there were some other corrections you suggested, but I couldn’t find them when I went to make the changes. I am not a good speller in English and with spell-check not speaking Punjabi, I do make mistakes but not on purpose!
Thanks for reading and responding!
Big smiles,
Anne
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Brilliant Anne, excellent photos of a wonderful place.
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