Naari – The Woman

Amritsar – city with Golden Temple and people with golden hearts

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Last three days were some of the best days of my life. I took a trip to the city of Amritsar, Punjab with my about-to-turn-five princess, Diya. Here I would like to share with you my trip details…

The city of Amritsar has caught my fancy ever since I became friends with Harvinder. Me and my husband, Chiran have been deciding-undeciding to go for the last couple years almost. Finally it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to take Diya and go off gallivanting on the 3-day weekend of 26th Nov that finally took me there. Somehow several things coincided correctly for us this time – as if the universe had conspired to give me this gift on my 6th wedding anniversary: * Our client requested us to swap 17th Nov holiday with 26th keeping in line with their Thanksgiving holiday * We got our tickets booked a week before when only 14 seats were available, yet managed to get a window seat and lower berth * We went for a team outing on 25th and I managed to get my camera a new battery breathing a new life into it after several months! * As always everyone had mixed reactions about taking Diya along, but Robin Sharma in his Facebook coached people to try the untried every once in a while and I took that as a signal from my Kanhaji to put my fears to rest. As I boarded the Shane-e-Punjab, I sent out a silent prayer to Babaji to take me under his wings through out my trip.

How we travelled to and from: Up to Amritsar: We took the Shan-e-Punjab that leaves New Delhi railway station at 6.40 am. on 26th Nov, Friday. With getting Diya ready it was a bit of a challenge, but we made it 10 mins ahead of time and were able to settle down nicely. We reached Amritsar by 15.30ish same day, almost an hour late than its scheduled arrival but since we were playing and generally having fun, we didn’t really mind it. Down to Delhi: We boarded the W.B. Sampark Kranti on 28th Nov, Sunday at 10.50 am. We reached Purani Delhi railway station at about 19.30ish, same day. It was crowded on Purani Delhi platform and I literally had to scream at an inconsiderate traveler about to hit Diya with his luggage. My fellow passengers came to our rescue and got us safely outside that mob.

26th evening, me and my precious little one were at the Golden Temple guest house seeking a room for 2 nights. The gentleman out there gave us an address of the Angad Dev Sarai and off we went in search of it. Imagine the look on our faces when the last room had just been taken! :( Turned out, Babaji had better plans for us.

Across the street I asked one shopkeeper about some rooms where we two could put up and he gladly told us he himself had a couple rooms available and ready to rent. Warned by several folks that I should not trust strangers straight away, I managed to raise as many suspicions as I could. (If you know me you can imagine this was tough!) But then the kind old uncle passed my interrogations with flying colors. We made the payment, showed my ID proof and put up our stuff in the sparingly furnished (the best part? No TV!)but neat and clean room.

We freshened up a little and on Dipu bhaiya’s (our new shopkeeper friend’s) suggestion, went to the Jalianwala Bagh. That place, though made beautiful with fountains, lights & sculptures today, has a bloody history. I somehow managed to convey to my tiny-miny companion the importance of that place, the sacrifice of the innocent people, of all the unsung heroes who lost their lives to the brutality of Gen. Dyer. We prayed for all those who made it possible for us to roam the same place freely without fear of being shot down at the Amar Jyoti.

By the end of our stroll we both were nicely tired. When we went to our room (our “Amritsar-wala-ghar”, as per Diya), Dipu Bhaiya had another surprise for us. He told us that his mom had asked us to dine with them. It was dark already and she did not want me getting lost in the city looking for food. It was an offer I could not (and did not) refuse. When we went upstairs to their place, we met Honey-Money, Dipu Bhaiya’s 24yr old sisters – identical twins! Uncle, aunty, Dipu bhaiya, Honey-Money, all of them were so gracious, so good-natured that we soon became friendly and started exchanging gossips about tele serials. (Did you know that a real Maharaja was coming as a guest on Akshay Kumar’s cooking show? I did not.. until then!)

Saturday morning, aunty took us to Golden temple. Being weekend, several schools were  visiting this place and it was very crowded. But aunty requested the Darbaan-ji at the gates and we were allowed to enter from the wrong side (from where everyone exited ). That way we were able to get darshan and prasada without any hassle. Aunty and Money also accompanied me & Diya on our way to the Wagah border and Mata Mandir. We met some incredible people in our shared cab ride. One of the ladies we met in this cab, told us this saying,

“Re mann to na fikar kar. Shukar kar, shukar kar, shukar kar!”

meaning – “Do not fill your mind with worry. Just be thankful, be thankful, be thankful!”

Every person we met was a good Samaritan, going that extra mile for helping strangers like us. I was humbled by the whole experience. It was a trip of feeling great divine presence around you. All the while I was there, I felt deep inside me that my Kanhaji was looking after me, taking care of my every little need, making sure I and my baby was comfortable.

It is true that the great Golden Temple attracted the peace-seeker in me to Amritsar, but it was the golden heart of people out there who actually made me so attached to this place! Me votes 10/10!

Have you been to this place?

What were your experiences?

What other place made you feel like you were special?

p.s. Check out this desktop wallpaper I made with one of the snaps that I clicked of Golden Temple. Use it if you like….

Enjoy!

~Varada

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