Wagah border sign, outside Amritsar

Approximately 1.1+ billion people call India home.

Golden Temple at night, Amritsar

Sikh Golden Temple, Amritsar

To enter the golden temple complex, we removed our shoes and socks, rinsed our feet, covered our head, and proceeded to walk around the huge square clockwise. Sikh pilgrims bath in the holy, tranquil water that surrounds the main shrine where the revered text of scriptures are kept. An ancient warrior people, the Sikhs are represented by a saffron dagger, and are also known by the turban worn by the men. They believe in equality of all people, unlike the old caste system, including equal treatment of men and women. No one goes hungry in Amritsar because of the huge community kitchen staffed by volunteers serving food 24/7.

Hill tribesmen from MP region

Dancers off-stage, Shimla

Viceregal Lodge, Shimla

The entire Indian subcontinent was ruled in the hot summer months from the Viceroy's lodge built 1888 in the cool foothills of the Himalayas. Many historic events happened in the Victorian lodge especially related to the independence of India from Britain, including in 1947 the partition of India, Pakistan, and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

India Gate, Delhi

A symbol of both New Delhi, the capital, and India, India Gate honors the soldiers who died during WWI and subsequent wars. New Delhi feels opulent compared to other parts of India seen so far, and recently hosted the Commonwealth Games with athletes from all over the world. Our journey by rail across Northern India continues to the hill station of Shimla tomorrow.