Tell about Golden Temple ?

The complex surrounding the temple adds to its beauty.

A marble walkway surrounds the temple with milky white buildings protecting it on all four sides.

It is located in the centre of a moat, or the Holy Tank as it is known.

Men and women bow in prayer towards its glory.

Many people were happy to have us visit their shrine and to experience their way of life.

They stopped to talk to us and to tell us the history of Sikhism.

Punjab is filled with some of India’s wealthiest people and when they heard that we were from Canada they knew our country well.

Many people we met actually lived in Canada and were back in India visiting relatives.

Others told us how they told  were going to Canada to study or how they have relatives in Canada and had been to visit.

The conversations were not the usual “where are you from?” “what is your name?” exchanges we normally have in India.

In Amritsar we engaged in full discussions about Sikhism, India and Canada.

In my humble opinion, I think the Sikh Religion is probably one of the least understood religions on the planet.

But we learned quite a bit during our time at the Golden Temple. And we'd like to share what we learned about Sikhism there.

Founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak’s frustration with the caste system and rituals of other religions, Sikhism was formed to be all inclusive.

Much of the religion is based on science. As people explained Sikhism to us, we began to understand its meaning.

Women have complete equality and can even be the head of the religion.

Unlike the Pope of Catholicism or Dalai Lama of Buddhism, a woman can lead the Sikhs. That is if she is elected.

You don’t have to be born or ordained as the head of the religion, you are elected to a committee.

If people are not happy with your work, you can be replaced in the next election.

The Sikhs are all-inclusive and that is evident at The Golden Temple.

There is no charge to enter the temple and they will even feed you for your efforts of coming to visit.

It's an amazing feat in its own right, but what is even more amazing is that this has been going for 450 years without missing one single day.

No matter what your position in life, everyone eats together on the floor.

You may find yourself sitting beside a celebrity, royalty or the president.

It doesn't matter who you are, you will all be treated exactly the same.