Trinity of Attractions

Trinity of Attractions

After a good rest, we headed out in the afternoon, to view Wagah Border, another attraction of Amritsar. All looked zealous and enthusiastic.

" no bags allowed, camera ok, carry water and hat/cap"

Ganesh reminded us the updates sent by Rahul while going to this place.

"Wagah Border is about 30 km away from Amritsar, has become a must-see in recent years"

Shivanand was on his tip-toes to watch the Wagah Border Ceremony very eagerly.

"Then why is the delay, let's move faster"  I added.

  The driver started   waving his hand to the other one at the back. all were in joyous mood some singing, others whistling.

" Mom, never miss the opportunity of visiting WB when you plan North Indian Tour"

my children had told me many times. 

I recalled in my mind the description of Border tales that Pooja and Rahul had told me 6 years back when they'd visited there...

This is a gate where trade and visitor traffic flows between India and Pakistan through the day, and  there's small Beating Retreat Ceremony every evening around sun-set.

 "If you get in stadium- type-seating, you can witness good view of the show, hurry up"  Suma called us commandingly.

"I cannot watch the ceremony by standing long time" 

Shivanand hurried front side with the help of Ganesh and Bhavayya and there

. 

 MR Bhavayya requested the concerned person and managed to get a comfortable seat for Shivanand. 

He was really lucky. Others could witness the retreat from little backside.

We three sisters witnessed the ceremony being in the Stadium type seating.

The place was jam-packed. Not even enough space to approach the stands.

As the ceremony started, the chants of Bharat Mata ki Jai resounded - there's even a DJ  of sorts very spontaeneously explaining what  happening at the ceremony. Many ladies carrying flags moving up to and fro.

It's a daily military practice that the security forces of India and Pakistan have jointly followed since 1959 ...that's what we heard there.

Lots and lots of excitment could be seen among the audience. Many were dancing with joy, chanting in chorus we too joined them felt extremely happy, clicked many photos.

Soldiers on either side performed an elaborate marital ritual rapid march and raising legs as high as possible. Onlookers enjoyed at the most. 

Clapping, screaming went on in a rapid scale and that was colorful. We enjoyed the event, it was life's greatest pleasure.

All were joyous and finally headed back to the hotel.

here I ended up two top most attractions of Amritsar. One more left. Which one guess?

I will post it shortly.

until then Bye

            Indu Naik

Contributor...Shivanand G. Naik

Delights of Amritsar

                       Delights of Amritsar

         We started at the next day-break to explore Amritsar by 2 Innova car running one behind the other 

All looking cheerful and gay waiting to watch Golden Temple in the lake of Nectar 

Ganesh, Suma and Bhavayya were in another car that was moving in front of us.

I am just lost in memory of the previous day when we were in flight ..from the air through the window-pane the Golden Temple seemed unprepossessing , a golden dome, surrounded by a shimmering square of water 

 the whole encapsulated in a white marble boundary. The very thought  made me undoubtedly happy beyond my expectation.

"There are images of  Golden temple in every shop on the way we see here" said Shivanand my husband looking at the small shops on either side of the road.

 "Of course sir,  it's the centre of attraction, the city is famous for"

   

           replied the driver enthusiastically.
                       
               " How far is the Golden Temple from the hotel Park inn ?"   
                          asked HK Bhavayya.
          
                        'nearly 11 kms'   replied the driver
   
            "Oh! that's all " Sheela asked swiftly.
       
       "I know, then we w'll be there with in no time "
      I too added, eagerly waiting to see it.   

           when the driver took us to the temple we were stupefied. We entered the temple complex, the sheer presence of the shimmering building at the centre took our breath away. 

             

'It is the centre of Sikhism, visited by over a lakh of pilgrims everyday'

                                          One of the pilgrim told us, but

the place expands to accommodate all that come that's what I felt. 

    The charming temple is surrounded by a lake.. it's a lake of nectar. We too climbed down the steps put our feet in the water felt cool  sprinkled water over one another head took snaps.

                         It was crowded. By the lake people sit, praying or watching the fishes in the water and some other prepare to take holy dip. Devotional songs play over the speakers installed around the compound. 

           'On one side, a building houses the 'Guru ka Langar' is there where all visitors get a simple, delicious and filling meal any time of the day.'

    MR Bhavayya and Suma brought this msg to us

  one of the pilgrim told them it seemed.
     
        One thing I noticed that we cannot enter the temple without covering our head. We have to cover our head fully either by veil or head-cap.

     Two eyes are not enough to view the beauty of the shimmering shrine!!!

   … The central shrine itself decorated with 750kg of gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh-- glitters in sunlight during the day and with strategically placed lights during the night... a guide told us.

    Another thing I noticed that we can not get 'prasadam' by standing and stretching hand forward. no never!
          We have to sit and stretch our both palms together politely then only you can get it. I felt it's a symbol of devotion.

   We saw the volunteers perform 'seva' all around the complex-cleaning the pathways, serving water, cleaning plates, managing foot-wear stalls all working together to keep their holy place running and spreading the feeling of oneness... I am delighted to see it.

        

       While coming back we saw dhabas serving rich Punjabi food. Small shops sell Amritsari kulchas, layered, butter smeared kulchas stuffed with paneer or potato masala all lip-smacking food that we tasted.

  On the way we did some shopping duppattas, kurtis and purses we carried with us like a present from the happy folk of Amritsar.

                                        We headed back with a loads of happy moments of visiting Golden Temple in Amritsar. 
       We followed very strictly  the updates sent by  Rahul.
   After watching Golden Temple and Langar , we returned to Park Inn and took rest from 12:30 to 2:30PM and then setout to next tourist attraction.                          
                            Which one? 
           
                                         Kindly wait for my next post.
        

                                                            Until then  Bye 
                                                                
                                                                              Indu Naik
  
                                            Contributor..
                                                               Shivanand G Naik
                                                 

      

 

Himachal Trip

Himachal Trip

I had a long gap writing my blog due to number of reasons-one notified reason was that I was totally busy with the work of my son's marriage. My sisters, especially my husband Shivanand  asked me hundreds of times why didn't I begin writing about our most exciting trip that we had undertaken in the month of April.

YEAH! it's true how can I forget it? Its memory is evergreen!! On one shutting of my eyes, the whole flash back of the entire trip comes to my mind. It was such a lovely ,easier, comfortable and unforgettable tour we ever had and it was totally designed,  arranged and planned by Rahul and Pooja.

 My son-in-law Rahul

many times had asked us to visit Himachal Pradesh but we couldn't. Finally the golden time came to us.

It was the time of Rahul's brother's marriage.

 "Mummy, if you don't come this time, you can never see your daughter's house"

said Rahul firmly on phone.

Pooja told us not to miss the opportunity  

We all joined and got ready with our bags and belongings  

We were sure as it was neatly arranged by Rahul and Pooja it would be a grand success. Whole-heartedly we started.



This time also it was the trip of retired persons but we were more in number - my husband and me, my sister Suma and Bhavayya, another sister Sheela and Bhavayya, and my bro Ganesh.. all are age betwn 64 to 73 more or less and that

helped us a lot to understand and move about in a better way

Moreover we are not at all scared touring during this age as it was well planned by Rahul. 

He took utmost care and made a neat action plan of our tour for ten days from 11th April to 21st April, in spite of his busy schedule, might have sat day and night  and sent each one of us a copy of our tour plan  in advance suggesting places to move, hotels to stay-in, restaurant to dine and visiting different tourist places  from  morning till night with proper resting also- day wise time-table updated. It is just like a guide book and handy also that helped us make our tour complete success without any confusion. Even my nephew Amrit also sent boarding pass daily program print out. It was also helpful. 

 From Amritsar to further complete  tour Rahul booked 2 Innova car and 2 best abled drivers from North side only who knew the routes very well

So hats off to Rahul and Pooja for their great work!!!



As per plan we all met together at Ankola from different places on 11th April 2018 and from there we started by a taxi to Goa airport. It was a road journey. All were happy wearing a youthful look on their face. We waited in Goa airport for the flight





At first we boarded the flight to Delhi  and then from Delhi took another flight to Amritser and reached there late night. All were tired  waiting for the hotel taxi for a while 

Within a few minutes we reached hotel Park Inn By Raddison.We were very eager to roam in the surroundings of Amritser the next morning So we ate dinner and had a little fun and went to bed .

Rest in my next blog

Ok Bye Good Night
             
                                                                       Indu Naik

Contributors    SHIVANAND G NAIK