The Evening standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1910-1913, 1910-12-30
GOLDEN TEMPLE AmRlTZAR.

The Golden Temple AmrItzar may
be called the Mecca OF the Sikhs.
What a pilgrimage TO Mecca is to the
devout Mohammedan a pilgrimage to
the golden temple. Amritzar. Is to
the deyout follower of The ten guides
or Euras of the Sikh religion.
Sikhs come from all parts of india
To worship and lay their offerings In
the temple, and also to be purified
by bathing in the tank of sacred water
which surrounds the temple. The
name Amritzar means Pool Of I'M
mortality" so called because of the
sacred pool which lies round the
temple
The image of the temple Is clearly
reflected In the waters which lie
round It. II is built on an island, with
marble bridge or causeway leading
to IL We presently find ourselves
In a large square court paved with
black and white marble,
This court Is thronged with peo-
pie coming to and from the temple,
Sellers of grain, roses, marlGolds and
jasmine are sitting about the court
with their baskets containing their
wares In front of them. ready 10 sell
to the plous devotees going to the
temple, who take these things as Of
ferlngs 10 strew before the Granth
SahIb or sacred book OF the Sikh
scriptures
The way to the temple from this
court Hes through massive. beautiful
ly carved doors. the panels of which
arc covered with sheathing of beat
en- silver. The gates are guarded by
a tall and warlille Sikh holding his
silver mace of office. We walk along
the marble causeway leading from
the doors direct TO the temple.
When we get near the temple we
see with what exquisite detail II Is
built. 1t Is richly ornamented with
mosaics and inlaid work OF Jade. por'
phyry and pearl The inlaid work
r.prescnts flowers, fish birds and
various animals. all perfectly designed
and portrayed. The marble pavement
at our feet is also covered with in
laid work
We enter the temple through a low
carried doorway. On sort of raised
altar lies the Granth Sahib. The
book is carefully swathed in silks and
velyets, over II stretches a large vel
vet canopy. under which the priests
are seated busily chanting TIVE Sikh
scriptures and receiving offerings
from the faithful especially busy do
Ing this last.
The chanting makes a monotonous
din kept up with drum continuously
beating accompaniment, and it is all
In honor of the sacred book, to which
great reverence is paid 1t Is actually
nj foh W
carried In solemn procession by the
priests to the treasury in the court.
where 1t Is kept safely for the night.
In the treasury arc kept the swords
and battleaxes. knives. spears and
shields Of the Sikhs, who are an emil
nently warlIke race
The floor before the Granth Sahlo
Is strewu with roses, jasmine and
marigold petals, silver and copper
coins. The priests hasten to divide
the silver from the copper Oike the
sheep from the goats). and arrange
them In piles. TO be divided afterward
for the expenses OF the upkeep Of the
temple and the maintenance OF the
priests. Standing above in the gallery
and looking down we see the scene 60
Ing on in the temple well-the fat
priests lazlly waiting for the offer
lngs. some chanting monotonously,
the energetic humping OF the drum.
the pious demeanor OF the worship
pers.
A woman richly dressed in a silk
chuddar OF some brilliant color comes
to the door. bows and puts little
dust on her forehead. and then nd-
vances with her offerings contained In
brass tray, rose leaves, Jasmine
petals. altar and pan. Hidden among
the rose leaves are some silver coins.
Next. maybe, 1t is a poor woman who
comes In with an offering OF a few
grains of rice or corn. some flower
petals and a copper coin worth. per-
haps, a farthlng, or at most, a half
penny
Tho priests take all the offerings
and place them for a moment before
the Granth Sahib. then sweep the
coins into either the silver or copper
heap and fling the flower petnls
aside.-Thc Gentleman,