Jammu & Kashmir AND Punjab (Golden Temple)

And via Pathankot I crossed Himachal Pradesh and was required to cover bit of Punjab to enter Jammu and Kashmir.. I wished a lot of things to cover before entering this state like Zankar valley, Kargil, Leh and Srinagar but I got the feeling of satisfaction... Satisfaction of "I am Done" ,, I have very old relatives in Jammu hence I thought of visiting them first and then think about the trip.. Like shall I go further north or is it time to go back home :)

Jammu wasnt so far..

My Aunt wasnt in good shape but she has something which many more even in good shape cant have.. She was Smiling .. even in Pain.. and I learned something there :)

Her husband I should say as - World's most caring husband I have ever seen.. :) 82 year old gentleman and was working as Principal in a college near to home and had Physics and Mechanical Engineering knowledge on the tip of his toungue.. Age still couldnt dare to threaten his courage.. :) and I got chance to meet his younger son aswell.. :)

A nice 6 0r 8 or 10 pack Hanuman effigy ,, beautiful idol, tall and strong giving strength to the community residing nearby..

And I spend my 1 day with them.. Being so old he remembered many things.. told me stories of his times when he was kid, young and old.. He taught many things from his experience and also took me to the market and his college.. He felt proud in introducing me to all his colleagues and has shown me some of his innovations that he mentored in his workshop.. My smile of the day award goes to him.. :) And then I made up mind that - Yes, I am done with my trip and now I want to go back home..

Journey I designed was - Jammu to Punjab (Amritsar-Golden temple) to Rajasthan (Hanumangarh, Kishangarh, Bhilwara) to Madhya Pradesh (My Home at Nagda and Indore) :)

I said goodbye to all and in an hour I reached the state of Punjab.. Its been said that this state has no waste land.. on every piece they have.. its cultivated and grows crops.. it is green state of India.. they told they are growing paddy..

I decided to make my halt at Amritsar and it reminds me about my friend Somesh's family.. I called and they all welcomed at their grand home.. :)

We had delicacy of the city in morning breakfast.. its called Kulcha .. and "Ashok Kulcha" is famous in their area..

I decided to see Wagha Border, Jalianwala Bagh and Golden temple as MUST to visit before I leave..

Necessity is he mother of invention.. :)

Finally I reached Wagha Border.. but I was bit late.. well not actually but I heard people have been in line since 3 hours before the show.. Well this show is all about - Closing gate ceremony where army personnel from both India and Pakistan do some presentation and the people around cheer up for their country.. :)

Soooo long queue..

Thanks to Samsung Galaxy Camera 21x Zoom.. I managed to click the picture of India and Pakistan Gates... cant imagine to attend that presentation atleast in this season of tourists.. :P

With no complains I came back..

Punjab state is famous around the world due to popular Punjabi food, songs and culture.. Sikhs are in majority and they all are proud of their Gurus and religion..

It was sooo yummy breakfast of Kulcha in morning that I couldnt resist eating 1 more.. And see the floating butter over it.. :) :)

Also, got chance to see Jalianwala Bagh but that has deadful history but the crowd and modernisation to its arena doesnt give that feeling of martyrdome..

then came the attraction of the place - Golden Temple.. :)

there are soooo many things to talk about this place.. firstly havent seen anywhere the queue for volunteering work in the service of their Guru... :) at the entrance there are many gates where you can submit your footwear and none of them who are giving services are employed.. its all voluntary..

Got chance to see it in Night aswell as in Day..

Time to pose.. :)

The glittering of gold in night is just amazing.. :) and the crowd of people in queue for taking the glance of that holybook and offering their prayers is never ending.. :)

The premises are open 24x7x365 days.. also anytime you can receive free food which is called LANGAR.. the famous culture in Sikh Gurudwaras..

The music and the holy song were continuously sung by organized groups and it was sooo beautiful to sit and listen and I spend my good time of it next day in morning..

There were beautiful fishes aswell..

I chose to get the absolute FEEL hence I get into the queue to see it all from inside.. Everybody is asked to cover their head as it is considered as gesture of giving respect to the belief..

And Prashad is what one get as blessings once you are done with your prayers and visit.. it is sweet and delicious.. :)

beautiful interiors and amazing chandelier..

These 2 are symmetric entrances on the adjacent sides of temple,,

Photography wasnt allowed inside.. I then decided to take food in LANGAR,, well it is free of cost but you can give donations.. thousands of people eat every day... and they have huge kitchen and hundreds of people in the service of cooking food, cleaning floors and utensils, serving food and also in other related tasks.. its a huge force all in the name of God servicing humanity.. :)

Interesting Cycle Rikshaws :)

Then I said goodbye to beautiful family : Uncle, Aunty and their younger son Sushant and I will miss them all.. :)

then I thought of going into rurals of Punjab and get into the state of Rajasthan via Bathinda and I was all set to go.. :)

Due to rains and bad roads at some places, the water was logged ..

and I was around 250kms to travel to cross Punjab and enter  into Rajasthan.. its first town called Hanumangarh.. my next destination...

Beautiful farms and yes its been truly said that no land is a waste-land in Punjab.. they feed India majorly.. :)

Local Gurudwara of a village..

and the village was adopted by somebody from Los Angeles.. :) nice to read it on board.. :P

almost evening..

and now farmers and their family were commuting back to their home..

And I crossed Punjab and realised that I need to cover some stretch of Haryana.. which I did and finally I was in Rajasthan at Hanumangarh.. :)

I was 3 days away from my home and that much time I had left on my trip.. and then it will all done but East India, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Lakshyadweep Island.. Rest all - I covered and I got the feeling of I am done.. :)