The colourful discover on a wood board in one of many places of work of the Golden Temple, simply steps away from its group kitchen, learn: Register right here for a free tour by bus of historic Sikh temples. The bus departs each morning at 8 and returns the identical night by 5. Though this service has been on for many years, I study it a number of weeks in the past throughout a leisurely stroll across the temple. My thoughts was fast to recall the phrases of William Wordsworth, “Going for a walk is an invitation for surprise.”

I started to think about the expertise of the tour. So, the next morning itself, I used to be on the workplace to get registered. At the bus boarding level, there have been devotees, younger and previous, from virtually in all places. I used to be the one native however did not appear like one for I used to be holding a digital camera and a diary. As the journey began, we started singing hymns. Though I did not perceive the that means absolutely, I may really feel the peaceable vibes and hummed alongside.

To guarantee we saved time, our aged driver reminded us at each temple to remain collectively, and we did. Though I had seen all of the temples on the itinerary, this time I discovered myself exploring every one in all them with a recent perspective. I got here throughout many sides that I had failed to soak up earlier. For occasion, throughout my many visits, I had walked previous the 156-foot-high minaret alongside the holy pool at Gurdwara Tarn Taran Sahib however I did not know that it was constructed by Kanwar Naunihal Singh, the grandson of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839. At Gurdwara Baba Budha Sahib, I used to be oblivious to the truth that its land was gifted by Mughal emperor Akbar.

Altogether, we coated six gurdwaras, together with Goindwal Sahib and Khadoor Sahib, passing by a scenic nation route. The mere sight of huge inexperienced fields was soothing to the eyes.

There was a “comedian uncle” (as I’d wish to name him) with us. He saved studying a newspaper however his witty feedback would depart us in splits. At one second, he had one thing to say concerning the driver, and on the very subsequent, he would comment on the intense expression on a pilgrim’s face. A local of Sangrur, he appeared to be in his 70s however was a lot youthful at coronary heart. At Gurdwara Dera Sahib, identified for serving lassi within the langar, he loudly joked, “The driver introduced us right here as he’s keen on lassi. He might have many glasses.” During the last leg of the journey, I saw him explaining the Punjabi brochure of a gurdwara to a tourist from Delhi.

But what touched me most was the bond we developed on board. It grew stronger as we came out of every gurdwara. We felt like a big family that went on to exchanging our experiences and sharing anecdotes from our lives. Many of us were engrossed in spiritual talks and I stayed alert, soaking in the essence of a beautiful life. “We should keep counting our blessings. It can change our destiny,” mentioned one in all them, who had taken the identical journey a decade in the past as effectively.

As we had been returning, there was an alternate of cellphone numbers, some even extending invites to their houses. We boarded the bus as full strangers and disembarked as members of the identical household, which was such a blessing! I knew it was the impact of spirituality which fantastically bonded us regardless of our completely different age teams and backgrounds. Glad I made a decision to turn into a part of this journey that enriched me with inspiring recollections.

rameshinder.sandhu@gmail.com

The author is an Amritsar-based freelance contributor