Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, National Capital Territory of Delhi, India

4singhasam 5:00 PM Nov 24, 2022

A very unusual experience
RELIGIONS vary across the world, but when I went to what was one of Delhi's most prominent places of Sikh worship I really had to concentrate. For a start, there were nearly 70,000 people in the site. Secondly, while I was used to taking my shoes off to visit various sites across India, I had never been asked to take my socks off as well as covering my hair. It was no big deal.....until I came to the large tray of water in which I was supposed to step to purify my feet. I am well aware of the opposing significance of feet and head in different religions, but I am still Western and religion wasn't uppermost in my mind when I dutifully stepped into the water tray at the entrance. Instead all I could focus on was how the water had been turned into a sort of soup by the passage of tens of thousands of feet before me. I hope Sikh people respect my concerns the same way I respected their religion. Once through this mental obstacle I had a few other things to occupy my mind including how I could ever take my next step. The place was absolutely rammed, packed with worshippers, many of whom took advantage of the incredible amount of free meals being benevolently dispensed at the kitchen area which did brisk business. In some places it was so packed you were almost carried forward in a dense crowd of people keen to do everything from stroll round the central holy pond to buying religious souvenirs. The smell of sweat and the press of bodies did create a feeling of claustrophobia at times, but I shook it off because I needed to keep track of my guide. There were so many people there that I lost him three times. Finally I completed my visit and went and collected my socks and trainers only to meet an official interested in explaining Sikh religion to me. I listened and even took away a leaflet which allows me to tell you that the word "Sikh" means "disciple", a person who believes in one god and the teachings of the Ten Gurus enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Book. We chatted for a while and then I followed my guide out of the site to reach a different state of mental enlightenment, one where I didn't feel as much of the overpowering presence of religious fervour as I had in the temple. Definitely an experience I will not forget, but if you go to this temple be prepared for a demanding experience. A side issue is that no photography is allowed in the main areas.

4Marc R 5:00 PM Sep 11, 2022

Peaceful but hot floor
No one attempted to scam me here which was breathe of fresh air, very calm and peaceful. Floor was very hot midday, burned my feet but worth it. Strict rules, cover head using a scarf from the scarf bin, no hats or shorts. I did try to carry my shoes around because i was fearful after my Jama Masjid experience but a nice man politely told me to please use the communal space for shoes and i did at of respect.