We finally figured out a way to get to Jaisalmer by train but the times of the tickets we booked were a little awkward. However we managed to change them at a train booking office near the Golden Temple.
Next we visited the Jallianwala Bagh. This is where the British opened fire on a crowd of Indians with no warning, killing about 400 and injuring a lot more. As we walked around the memorial gardens, the bullet holes are still evident in the walls and we visited the well where many people died as they fled from the bullets. Inside the monument were the ashes of the man who assassinated the general who gave the order to shoot. Outside was a statue of the same man to show him as a big hero.
After lunch, which was a speciality of the Punjab, we headed to the Golden Temple museum. It shows the history of Sikhism and there were many photos of battles and the Sikh gurus. What was interesting was to learn about the brutality of the battles and the tortures inflicted on the Sikhs. It really was horrible!
At 5 o'clock we had arranged a rendezvous with some people we had met in Kolkata. We chatted for a while before giving in our shoes, covering our heads and preparing to enter the Golden Temple.
Together we walked around admiring the temple from all angles. The lake was already lined with people lighting candles for the Diwali festival. Several people took photos of us and asked us where we were from. They asked us if we were enjoying being there and what our names were. We found a spot where we could sit and watch as it slowly got darker and darker. Darryl chatted to some Sikhs from London who had flown to India especially for the Diwali festival at the Golden Temple. They told him every detail of the Sikh religion and it was really interesting.
At about 6.30 the fireworks started. They were fired above the temple from the four surrounding gates. The show was spectacular with fireworks flying in all directions. We were pretty close to some! The atmosphere was electric. So many people, such a beautiful site. The whole experience was out of this world!
After the fantastic show ended we ate dinner in a quaint little restaurant. From here we could see and hear the Diwali festivities in full swing. Outside the noise of the fire crackers was so load and this is set to continue all through the night. If we want any sleep tonight it's definitely going to require earplugs!
Next we visited the Jallianwala Bagh. This is where the British opened fire on a crowd of Indians with no warning, killing about 400 and injuring a lot more. As we walked around the memorial gardens, the bullet holes are still evident in the walls and we visited the well where many people died as they fled from the bullets. Inside the monument were the ashes of the man who assassinated the general who gave the order to shoot. Outside was a statue of the same man to show him as a big hero.
After lunch, which was a speciality of the Punjab, we headed to the Golden Temple museum. It shows the history of Sikhism and there were many photos of battles and the Sikh gurus. What was interesting was to learn about the brutality of the battles and the tortures inflicted on the Sikhs. It really was horrible!
At 5 o'clock we had arranged a rendezvous with some people we had met in Kolkata. We chatted for a while before giving in our shoes, covering our heads and preparing to enter the Golden Temple.
Together we walked around admiring the temple from all angles. The lake was already lined with people lighting candles for the Diwali festival. Several people took photos of us and asked us where we were from. They asked us if we were enjoying being there and what our names were. We found a spot where we could sit and watch as it slowly got darker and darker. Darryl chatted to some Sikhs from London who had flown to India especially for the Diwali festival at the Golden Temple. They told him every detail of the Sikh religion and it was really interesting.
At about 6.30 the fireworks started. They were fired above the temple from the four surrounding gates. The show was spectacular with fireworks flying in all directions. We were pretty close to some! The atmosphere was electric. So many people, such a beautiful site. The whole experience was out of this world!
After the fantastic show ended we ate dinner in a quaint little restaurant. From here we could see and hear the Diwali festivities in full swing. Outside the noise of the fire crackers was so load and this is set to continue all through the night. If we want any sleep tonight it's definitely going to require earplugs!