AOE: Sikh's holy place, Golden Temple, Amritsar.

Golden temple, first time I heard it, I had never thought it was such an amazing place. I could feel it when I was there on 7th August 2011. The atmosphere was different from the most places I've visited in India. When first stepped into Golden temple gate, my mind told me that they were Moslem because the females were wearing veils but when I asked it to my friends, the answer was clear. It is a holy place of Sikh. The Sikh in Golden temple we (I and my overseas friends) met was very friendly even though they are minority in India. We were completely pleased of being there as we took a look around accompanied by a Sikh friend we just met. We were offered to have a short trip inside the Golden temple.

Ambiance of the Golden temple entrance.

You must take your footwear off.

Put my feet on others' holy place was such a remarkable experience. (I haven't gone to mine yet)

The Golden temple in the middle of the pool.

Buildings around the Golden temple.

Beside the Golden temple, there are many beautiful buildings like this one.

People were standing in line to enter the Golden temple.

But we went into the Golden temple through the exit way because somebody told us to do that.

Before entering the temple, usually you'll be given something to eat, something that is made from nut.

A beautiful creation of human. I am impressed.

Some Hindi fonts on the entrance.

With the teenagers who are soon to be the guardian of the Golden temple.

Peace was all I felt over there.

The Golden temple night version.

With the Golden temple guardian.

Golden temple appeared on one of Ben Kingsley's movies titled Gandhi in 1982. So, the beauty of the Golden temple is beyond doubt. It became my best attraction in India which I spontaneously visited for free. We just had to take a bus from Pushkar and that was not really a long way just like my 27-hours-train-trip from Hyderabad to Agra. 

The world has lots of something you have no idea about. So, when you find it out, treasure it and appreciate all the differences that it might have. Sukhria.

AOE: Beautiful temples & Merchants destruction in Hampi, India.

Namaste, here we back again to INDIA! Almost all of travelers list India to their visit-list. Once I wondered why they do that considering India is developing country which is known by its hygiene problems. All of my curiosity were answered after almost-2-months-visit there with my overseas friends in 2011. This post is about one of the most amazing places in India which is visited by travelers around the world called Hampi.

Hampi (Kannada: ಹಂಪೆ Hampe) is a village in northern Karnataka state, India. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Viyajanagara Empire. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampi). Some various temples embellish it which becomes a global tourist attraction.

Map of Hampi.

 

Railway station near Hampi, Hospet Junction.

Train-ing.

After you arrive at train station, you should take a bus to reach Hampi.

Beautiful entrance.

Our colorful hostel in Hampi.

Relaxing at cafe near entrance temple.

One of many rock temples.

India travelers. Haha..

What a cloudy Hampi.

Taking a picture of my Taiwanese friend, Helen.
 

Extensive area of Hampi's heritage.

Use a little bit effect to make it eye-catching.

       Crossing the river to reach the other side of Hampi.             

The 3000 stairway to monkey temple.

Got all wet by sweat after passing through the 3000 stairway.

With Monkey temple's official.

A view inside Monkey temple.

Bicycling around Hampi.

Taking a rest with some fresh coconuts.

Got this cute puppy on the street.

Sprawling Hahaha..

Had a fruit pancake which is unspeakable-delicious.

Having a travel to Hampi for its beautiful views always be an amazing experience, but we have beyond it. Surprisingly, it just took a day to experience a demolition of local merchants due to conflict between locals and India government.

Conflict between local and India government.

Destruction of local merchants.

Hampi's entrance view after a conflict.

Merchants' kids were playing with the rest of the demolition.

Being in India was such a cannot-get-it-anywhere-experience I've ever had in my life. Its culture, lifestyle, temples, amazing views, people, transportation, and so on; are the package of the adventure that you cannot compare anywhere. Live in the field with locals could give it perfectly. Just need some knowledge about it and prepare your big heart to face all of possibilities that could happen. Let's travel to see the world! Thanks.