At night, the golden exterior of Harmandir Sahib is illuminated by lights that surround the temple. This creates a mystical ambiance as you walk around the circumference of the pond.
At night, the Langar Hall is extended outside to support the masses of people. The light in the center of the picture is actually a singular light bulb used to provide light for the entire hall. Tell me this doesn't look identical to a rooftop party in New York at night. It's practically the same..minus the sitting on floor part...and the lentils...and the Punjabi suits...and the thousands of Indian people :)
Namaste with my good friend Zoa (a name adopted by some Indian friends to aid in the pronunciation of her real name - Zoe)
Many cultural norms in India are shocking at first. They often vary so much from American culture that I find myself taking double takes just to ensure my eyes aren't failing me. First, I would like to address the fact that PDA (public display of affection) is minimal, if not nonexistent, between opposite genders. I have yet to even see a husband and wife display affection towards one another in public. But what I see more often than not is men displaying affection towards each other. Either by constant close contact, linking arms, or holding hands, men are almost always touching each other. This is a picture of two boys (Shayan and Liam) who came on the trip with me. They decided to test out this cultural norm and walk around the circumference of the pool surrounding the Golden Temple. Now if I were to wiggle my body right in there, it would probably suggest to the Indian men and women that I was in a polyamorous relationship with Shayan and Liam. Now wouldn't that be interesting.
At 10:30 p.m. visitors are already claiming their beds on the marble floor surrounding the temple. It is not uncommon to see whole families camped out and sleeping. I can't imagine a more amazing place to wake up in the morning.