Amritsar, home to Sikhism’s holiest shrine
The city of Amritsar is in the Punjab in northwest India, very close to the Pakistan border. It is an affluent state and the majority of people are Sikh. Unlike some Indian cities, there are few animals crowding the streets and there are proper outdoor toilets. There are also many travel agencies. Pilgrims from all over the world come here because of the Golden Temple, which is the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. … Read entire article »
Filed under: India
Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India?
Varanasi, located on the banks of the Ganges River, is one of the holiest cities in India. Hindus from all over the world come here to bathe in the purifying waters. Wide steps called ghats run for almost 7 km along the Ganges’ bank and from early morning until late at night men in various stages of undress, women in saris and holy men wearing nothing but ashes congregate on them before washing away their … Read entire article »
Filed under: Good trips, India
Wagah Ceremony: Closing the border between Pakistan and India
At sunset each day there is a rather extravagant ceremony to close the border between India and Pakistan at Wagah. The village of Wagah was divided in 1947 when India was split into two countries. Gerrit Reinhardus, his wife Barbara (who was working in Pakistan at the time) and two of her colleagues caught a ride in a tuk tuk to check it out. The ceremony is really a 45 minute, flag waving occasion when the … Read entire article »
Filed under: India, Memorable moments
Goa, India
Goa is a popular destination in India, with its perfect beaches, sleepy villages, whitewashed churches, great markets, and almost perfect weather from October to February. This former Portuguese colony, located in southwest India, is India’s richest state and quite distinct from the rest of the country. Goa was a hippie paradise in the 60s and today attracts many package tours from Great Britain and Europe with its reputation as a party place. There are beaches geared … Read entire article »
Filed under: India, Places you can stay a while
