The primary reason people flock to Amritsar in northern India is to visit the Golden Temple but the nearby Mata Temple is also well worth a visit.

The Golden Temple:-

The magic of the Golden Temple the most holy temple of the Sikhs has been compared by some to the Taj Mahal. There is much more to this site than the temple itself although the glimmering gold shrine is quite a site to behold.

After removing their shoes and washing their feet at the temple entrance visitors walk down the marble steps to behold the main part of the complex. The temple sits on the pool of nectar its golden glimmer reflected in the calm waters. As visitors stroll along the cool marble walkways surrounding the pool they are able to take in the temple from various angles and see the changes made by the suns rays.

The atmosphere at the temple is calm and thoughtful with chants and prayers voiced over the loudspeakers twentyfour hours a day. Some bathe in the holy waters along the eastern side of the pool while others sit quietly and reflect.

Foreign tourists who are open to the approaches of others can have a truly meaningful experience here. There are numerous opportunities to talk with members of the Sikh religion to learn more about their history and traditions.

The Sikh belief in the equality of all people despite gender race caste or religion can be experienced firsthand at the Golden Temple. There is a community kitchen at the temple manned by volunteers that serves dahl rice and chapatis to any who enter. The kitchen is said to serve approximately 100000 people per day even more on the weekends. The temple also provides a free place to stay for those in need with over twohundred rooms.

The Mata Temple:-

This Hindu temple has its own unique flavor. Named for the Mata Lal Devi a female saint people come here to offer all sorts of prayers for children. Some pray to have children others pray for positive wellbeing of their children some even pray to cure an illness. There have been stories of the positive results of prayer such as one woman whose blind child regained his vision after here prayers at the Mata Temple.

The design of the temple is unique with a bit of a funhouse flavor. Those who enter the temple are directed to follow the staircase on the left. They proceed along the outdoor walkways on the second floor passing statues and shrines dedicated to various gods and the Mata Lal Devi.

After crawling through a small cavelike opening visitors find themselves in a hall of mirrors so to speak. The walls hallways and ceilings are covered in mosaics constructed from small pieces of mirror and colored glass. Some areas depict religious scenes while other areas are covered in geometric designs. When walking from room to room more deities can be found in statue or picture form to which Hindu visitors pray.

Near the end of the path visitors must crawl through another cavelike opening and walk through a narrow canal of shallow water. Once back downstairs they are free to peruse the main hall and look up to find ribbons and kites hanging from above.