Getting Kitted For Religion, Amritsar

Getting Kitted For Religion, Amritsar, originally uploaded by Urban|nexus.

Our very friendly rickshaw-wallah in Amritsar carefully places a head covering on my friend John. It is a necessary sign of respect to cover one's head in the presence of God in a Sikh Temple.

And this, Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest of Sikh Temples.

Amritsar, Punjab takes its name from the holy waters of the tank in which the Harmandir Sahib sits. The tank is called the Amrit Sarovar - a beautiful name meaning literally, 'Nectar Pool'.

It was a cold and rainy day, but beautiful from the feeling of devotion that Harmandir Sahib inspired within me.

In the background are Sikh men ("Singh" as their designated title, meaning "Lion") and women ("Kaur", or princess being their designated title). These titles were originally used as last names to indicate the lack of caste or class distinction in Sikhism, something today that has changed. However, most Sikhs (abroad anyway) retain these titles as middle names.

The men wear western clothes and traditional Sikh turbans (Punjabi Hindus and Muslims had their own styles of turban - no longer worn). Long hair is believed to give strength to men, according to Yogic beliefs, and in Sikhism. The traditional dress of the male is called the Kurta Pyjama (literally meaning "shirt pant")

The women wear colourful Punjabi suits - the Salwaar Kameez.