'Cause you gotta have Faith.

Sri Harmandir Sahib literally means The Temple of God. The fourth guru of Sikhism, Guru Ram Das ji, excavated a tank in 1577 CE which subsequently became known as Amritsar (meaning "Pool of the Nectar of Immortality"), giving its name to the city that grew around it. In due course, a Sikh edifice, Sri Harmandir Sahib (meaning "the abode of God"), rose in the middle of this tank and became the supreme centre of Sikhism. Its sanctum came to house the Adi Granth comprising compositions of Sikh Gurus and other saints considered to have Sikh values and philosophies, e.g., Baba Farid, and Kabir. The compilation of The Adi Granth was started by the fifth guru of Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev ji.

The Gurdwara is surrounded by a large lake or holy tank, known as the Sarovar, which consists of Amrit ("holy water" or "immortal nectar"). There are four entrances to the Gurdwara, signifying the importance of acceptance and openness.

In keeping with the rule observed at all Sikh Gurdwaras worldwide, Sri Harmandir Sahib is open to all persons regardless of their religion, colour, creed, or sex. The only restrictions on Sri Harmandir Sahib's visitors concern their behavior when entering and while visiting. 

 Much of the present decorative gilding and marblework dates from the early 19th century. All the gold and exquisite marble work were conducted under the patronage of Hukam Singh Chimni and Emperor Ranjit Singh, Maharaja of the Sikh Empire of the Punjab. 

As beautiful during the day

There is a huge difference in faith and belief, Belief is when you see a swinging trapeze artist perform without net, and know that he will be right everytime. Faith is what the person has, who jumps of to be caught by that trapeze artist!  All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired. Faith indecently is not associated with religion, the same can be said about belief, hope and charity.If fear is cultivated it will become stronger, if faith is cultivated it will achieve mastery. Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof. Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe. God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well. Lets have Faith, hope and Love in our hearts and make a better world for our kids to live in.

The abode of the Kinnaras and the Gandharvas

Snow capped peaks

Kinnaur surrounded by the Tibet to the east, in the northeast corner of Himachal Pradesh, about 235 kms from Shimla is a tremendously beautiful district having the three high mountains ranges that is the Zanskar, Greater Himalayas and Dhauladhar, enclosing valleys of Sutlej, Spiti, Baspa and their tributaries.

Kinnar Kailash

 In the ancient mythology the people of Kinnaur are known as Kinners, the halfway between men and gods. Kinnaras and gandharvas are given a Demi god status. Mythology consists of Devas, Kinnars, Gandharvas, Rakshashas, Asuras. A Shivalinga appears on the peak and this area is compared to Kailash the abode of Shiva. The Kinnar Kailash trek is considered as a holy yatra for the hindus.Ancient Kinnar village houses, it is believed the original Kinnaras where short people and the house entrances are small, this is a two storied building. Mandara mountain is said to be the abode of the Kinnaras.

Light and Shadow play

Rock faces

Rock faces

There is a mountain called Mandara adorned with cloud-like peaks. It is covered all over with intertwining herbs. There countless birds pour forth their melodies, and beasts of prey roam about. The epic Mahabharata also mentions the Kinnaras as beings who were half-man and half-horse like the Centaurs of Greek Mythology. The regions north of the Himalayas are described as the abode of Kinnaras in the epics. Interestingly the district Kinnaur has a village called Kalpa, Which means a Yuga or an era. Monastries and temples coexist in this area with the Buddhists and Hindus living in perfect harmony. The people are friendly and amiable.It leaves one in a feeling of awe in an era where mythical creatures roamed the himalayas. The approach to Kinnaur are one of the most difficult terrain in the world, considered some of the most difficult motor able roads in the world. Riddled with Rock faces and beautiful play of shadow and light with the snow clad peaks caressing the clouds. Kinnaur remains mystical to all. Beauty of the Himalayas are unparalleled. 

View of the Snow covered peaks

A bus going through the rock cut roads