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The Golden Temple in the city of Amritsar in India's Punjab State is one of the greatest sights India has to offer. Amritsar and the Punjub may have little else in the way of true "tourist attractions"; but the temple alone is worth a trip to Amritsar, and Punjabi culture may provide enough added attraction to counter the lack of monuments in the area.

The Golden Temple (Durbar Sahib to the Sikhs who worship there) is open to all visitors regardless of community, caste, or previous commitment to the Sikh religion. The only requirement is that you keep your head covered while inside and remove your shoes in the main hall and in the Langar, or dining hall.

Religious activity in the temple starts before dawn and goes on well into the night. Most visitors describe the temple as "peaceful" and the functionaries and fellow worshippers in the Sikh temple are very welcoming of newcomers.

The Temple is a two storied marble structure built on a 67 square foot platform in the center of the sacred lake of Amritsar, for which the city was later named. The lake has long been a place of reflection and meditation; Buddha is known to have spent time there. An excellent tour of the temple is available online.

The lake (the name "Amritsar" translates into English as "Pool of Nectar") was enlarged and had its boundaries structurally reinforced during the time of the fourth Sikh guru (Ram Dass, 1574-1581). Under Guru Arjan (the fifth guru 1581-1606) the temple was built. The temple was destroyed by the Muslims on several occasions and each time was rebuilt and improved by the Sikhs. After 1767, the Sikhs became strong enough to prevent Muslim invaders from damaging the temple.

The temple's architecture draws from both Hindu and Muslim styles and yet is unique. The central dome and the upper half of the walls of the temple are covered with gold leafed copper sheets. During the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), marble sculptures, golden gilding, and large quantities of precious stones were added to the temple. Within the sanctuary of the temple, on a jewel-studded platform, lies the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the holy scriptures of the Sikhs. Sikhs view the book as their "living guru." The book is a collection of devotional poems, prayers, and hymns composed by the 10 Sikh gurus, and some writings from various Muslim and Hindu religious figures. From the early hours of the morning until well past sunset, these hymns are chanted to the musical accompaniment of flutes, drums, and stringed instruments. The sounds echo across the lake, setting a tone and an atmosphere for those in the complex.

The lake is fed by an underground spring. Pilgrims immerse themselves in the water as part of their visit to the temple -- a symbolic cleansing of the soul.

Next to the temple complex are huge dormitories and dining halls where anyone, without regard to race, religion, or gender, may eat and sleep for free.

The city of Amritsar is a pleasure to walk through. The air-conditioned hotels all have restaurants, but the roadside dhabas are often a better place to sample Punjabi cuisine.

A few links to help you prepare for a trip to Amritsar:

• Fast Facts on Amritsar.
• A Day at the Golden Temple.
• Punjabi Cuisine.
• Punjabi Culture.