Religion continues to occupy an important place in the life of an Indian. India is a citadel of religious spirit. Spiritualism and other worldliness have been the characteristics of the Indian mind through the ages.

In India, there can be found poor God-fearing men, who can never be bought, who will rather suffer death than change their religion. Here are some noble products of religion for whom money has no lure, position no charm, who believe in disinterested love of goodness and service to others.

Every city in India has a number of religious places. I live in Amritsar. It has numerous religious places both big and small. The faithful go there for worship both in the morning and evening. The merry single of temple bells early in the morning and in the evening has a great appeal for the devout.

The Golden Temple of Amritsar is famous all over India. It stands in the heart of the ‘Pool of Immortality’. The tank around the temple was built by Guru Ram Dass Ji in the year 1589. The tank is surrounded by a broad path paved with marble tiles.

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A marble causeway leads to the templ6\proper. The walls of the temple are also made of pure white marble. These are inlaid with precious stones. The temple has a gilded dome. It has four doors instead of one, signifying thereby that it is open to the people of all the four castes without any distinctions whatsoever. The reflection of the temple in the clear water of the tank is a sight to see.

People come to visit it from far and near. It is a place of pilgrimage for the Sikhs. Thousands of devotees and worshippers visit it daily. Recitations from the Holy Granth goes on in the temple at all times. It is very ennobling and edifying to sit in the temple for an hour and listen to the recitations from the holy book.

On the occasions of Diwali and Baisakhi festivals, there is an uncontrollable influx of pilgrims from all parts of the country. On the Diwali night, the temple and its premises are lit up with rows and rows of earthen lamps, candles and electric bulbs. Their reflection in the water of the tank is an unforgettable experience. It needs no description.

On the occasion of Gur-purvs, old arms and jewellery are displayed. At night, there are beautiful fireworks. All visitors to the temple regard it an act of great merit to pay offerings at the altar. The daily offerings amount to thousands of rupees. The temple has large funds which are used for various humanitarian purposes and to further enrich and beautify the temple. .

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There is another big temple known as the Durgiana temple. It is made in imitation of the Golden Temple. It is surrounded by several smaller temples. There is a great rush of devotees here, too, both in the morning and evening. Recitations from the Ramayana and the Gita are a special feature.

Religious congresses are also frequently held. There are also musical symposiums on the occasion of the Holi festival, this temple was built quite recently. It is held sacred to Lakshmi Narayan.

The scene at the time of prayer is worth seeing. Some pray with folded hands, others kneel on the floor of the temple; while others go on telling the beads. Some sing sacred hymns in accompaniment to the music produced by beating the cymbals together while others are seen sitting in deep contemplation of the deity. The image of the deity is made of gold and dressed in gorgeous clothes.

Close to it, there is a temple sacred to Hanuman. There is a great rush there on every Tuesday evening. Just adjacent to it, there is the Gita Bhawan where recitations from and discussions on the Gita go on from day to day. These are very exalting and elevating.

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A visit to these religious places is not without a merit. One forgets one’s worries for a short while and enjoys perfect peace of mind. One gets some mental food. One’s thoughts are raised towards the Almighty, the giver of all gifts. One feels that one should rise above self and serve one’s fellow-men.