Golden Temple, Amritsar
25-27 March 2011
For the Sikh gurus, who lived between 1469 to 1708, meditation, communion with God, and inner guidance were foremost in their lives. The Golden Temple and other places where these gurus lived and meditated are filled with spiritual power. The devotion of pilgrims visiting these sacred sites has only increased the tangible, powerful presence one can feel there. Our group will meditate in these places and tune into the divine flow of grace. The blessings to be received here are universal, and have transformed the lives of people from all religious backgrounds.
In 1577, Ram Das, the 4th Sikh guru, founded Amritsar—the most sacred city in Sikh culture—due to a bathing pool famed for its healing powers. Today the highlight of Amritsar is the Harmandir or Golden Temple complex, with a powerful spiritual atmosphere and beautiful marble and gilt temple buildings reflected in the serene Pool of Immortality.
Early morning and late evening have a special atmosphere as pilgrims filter inside to make their offerings. Every Sikh tries to make at least one pilgrimage here to listen to the sublime music (shabad kirtan), readings from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture, and to bathe in the purifying waters of the Amrit Sarovar.
For Sikhs, guru means the descent of divine guidance to mankind provided through 10 enlightened masters. Guru Gobind Singh was the last in the line of the 10 Sikh gurus. He declared that the Guru Granth Sahib embodies the spirit of the gurus. The Harmandir in Amritsar houses the original Guru Granth Sahib.
We'll meditate in some of the powerful places within the temple complex itself, including: near the original Guru Granth Sahib in the Harmandir; a quiet temple on the 2nd floor of the Harmandir in the sacred place where Guru Ram Das meditated, and in the basement where Guru Teg Bahadur meditated. Close to the temple, we'll visit and meditate at places where the gurus lived and worshipped, now preserved as shrines. Amritsar also has a beautiful Hindu temple, the Durgiana Mandir, and the historic Jalianwala Bagh. Those who wish may also attend the famous Wagah border ceremony.
We'll take a Shatabdi train to Amritsar from Delhi, or you can fly to Amritsar on your own.
"Exiting the inner sanctum, I found a niche by a side door where I sat with other pilgrims while listening to the sounds wash over me. I found it both mesmerising and uplifting." —J. H., Pune
Read more of J.H.'s experiences on this pilgrimage.
"I am blessed and exalted. The Guru is the Ladder, the Guru is the Boat, and the Guru is the Raft to take me to the Lord's Name. The Guru is the Boat to carry me across the world-ocean; the Guru is the Sacred Shrine of Pilgrimage, the Guru is the Holy River. If it pleases Him, I bathe in the Pool of Truth, and become radiant and pure." —Guru Nanak
Tentative Schedule
Friday 25 March
7:20 am
1:25 pm
2:00
3:30
4:30
|
Depart from New Delhi Station on Swarna Shatabdi train
Train arrives Amritsar
Lunch at hotel
Opening satsang
Depart for Golden Temple
Golden Temple visit: overview, evening meditation within Harmandir
Dinner at hotel (at own cost)
|
Saturday 26 March
4:00 am
6:00
8:30
10:00
11:00
1:30 pm
4:00
7:30
|
Depart for procession of Guru Granth Sahib & meditation, or
Depart for meditation at Harmandir
Breakfast at hotel
Optional meditation instruction
Depart for visits to home of Guru Ram Das & Jalianwala Bagh
Lunch at hotel (at own cost)
Optional trip to Wagah border ceremony, or to Durgiana Temple
Dinner at hotel |
Sunday 27 March
4:00 am
6:00
8:30
11:00
1:30 pm
4:00
5:00
11:05
|
Depart for procession of Guru Granth Sahib & meditation, or
Depart for meditation at Harmandir
Breakfast at hotel
Depart for visits to Gurdwara Shahidan & Gurdwara Bibeksar
Lunch at hotel (at own cost)
Meet to depart for train station
Swarna Shatabdi train departs
Arrive New Delhi Station |
Accommodations, Meals, and Transportation
Train transportation will be by Shatabdi Express, air-conditioned chair car. Or you may choose to travel on your own and meet the group at the Amritsar Hotel. Transportation within Amritsar will be by air-conditioned bus, Innova-type taxis, or short distances by rickshaw. Our hotel in Amritsar for 2 nights is the 3-star Alstonia Hotel. Breakfast and 1 other meal provided each day.
Programme Fees
__ double occupancy including train (Rs. 8,500)
__ single occupancy including train (Rs. 10,000)
__ double occupancy without train (Rs. 7,100)
__ single occupancy without train (Rs. 8,600)
Please note: If you do not have a roommate, we will try to connect you with another single pilgrim of the same sex. If a roommate cannot be found, you will need to pay for single occupancy. If you snore, we ask you to room with someone you know well, or pay for single occupancy.
The programme fee includes train Delhi-Amritsar-Delhi, all group transportation, lodging and 2 meals per day, and hotel tips. Not included in the programme fee are a 3rd meal each day; beverages; airport transfer if you arrive on your own; donations at shrines; personal trips in taxi or rickshaw; and personal hotel expenses such as laundry, telephone, or Internet.
Payments
Completed application form and 1st payment of Rs. 5,000 due by 15 January in order to purchase train tickets in time. Later applications will be accepted only if spaces are available. Payments by cheque or bank draft should be payable to Ananda Sangha, or in person in Gurgaon by cash. Your participation is confirmed only when we approve your application and receive 1st payment. Balance of fee due by 1 March.
In case of cancellation, Rs. 1,000 of the fee is non-refundable. Cancellation close to date of departure may incur additional costs.
Tour Leaders
This pilgrimage will be led by Keshava and Daya Taylor of Ananda Sangha Gurgaon. They will be assisted by a local guide in Amritsar.
