Supreme Bliss

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“Alone let him constantly meditate in solitude on that which is salutary for his soul, for he who meditates in solitude attains supreme bliss.”
(Guru Nanak – Founder of Sikhism and first of the ten Sikh Gurus, 1469–1539)

This man was sitting before sunset along the samovar of the Golden Temple which is located in Amritsar in the Indian state of Punjab.
The amazing spiritual presence coming from the Harmandir Sahib makes anyone easily feel that this place is Heaven’s gate.
The expression on the face of most of the pilgrims there shows a supreme bliss…

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With His Grace

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“The Lord God, the Giver of peace, has granted His Grace, I am rid of pain, sin and disease.”
(Guru Nanak – Founder of the religion of Sikhism and first of the ten Sikh Gurus, 1469-1539)

This guard holding a spear was walking along the samovar of the Golden Temple which is located in Amritsar in the Indian state of Punjab.
The Harmandir Sahib is the place to go for anyone in search of spirituality as it is under the Grace of God…

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Illuminated

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“From its brilliancy everything is illuminated.”
(Guru Nanak – founder of Sikhism and first of the ten Sikh Gurus, 1469-1539)

This young man was bathing in the holy tank of the Golden Temple of Amritsar, the holiest city in Sikhism, located in the Indian state of Punjab.
He left his Kirpan (steel sword) in his turban in order to keep this symbol of his faith with him and, like most of the people who come to the Harmandir Sahib, there was a real happiness flowing around him.

 

Songs of Joy

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“Sing the songs of joy to the Lord, serve the Name of the Lord, and become the servant of His servants.”
(Guru Nanak – founder of Sikhism and first of the ten Sikh Gurus, 1469-1539)
This musician was among a group of people playing music in front of the Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest city in Sikhism located in the Indian state of Punjab.
It was a moment of bliss at Heaven’s gate…

A beautiful prayer sung by Satinder Sartaj:

The True One

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“Those who conquer their minds are beings of renunciation and detachment.
They are beings of renunciation and detachment they are lovingly focused on the True One, they realize and understand themselves.”
(Guru Nanak – founder of Sikhism and first of the ten Sikh Gurus, 1469-1539)

After taking a deep in the Immortal Nectar of the Harmandir Sahib, this man was putting his clothes back on him.
He spread that fabric over his head which allowed to give a deeper significance to this portrait.
The Golden Temple is located in Amritsar, the holiest city in Sikhism, in the Indian state of Punjab.

 

‎”In the Dust of the Lord’s Feet”

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“Bathing in the dust of the Lord’s Feet, one contemplates the Lord and comes not again into the world of form.
And, dedicated to the Guru’s Feet, dispelled are one’s fears and doubts, and one gathers the fruit of one’s heart desire.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib – Suhi, M. 5)

I was in Gwalior, which is located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, during one of the hotest days of summer and one morning I was on my way to the top of the hill where stands the fort and the temples complex when I met a lady who asked me for a drive.
She was going to the Gurdwara Data Bandi Chor Sahib in order to pay homage to Guru Hargobind.
She told me that she was going there every day and that most of the time she was walking along that long road leading to the temple.
She was very touching, her attitude was showing that she was a simple women, naive and innocent however she had that kind of class and dignity that I often see among Sikh ladies.
Her faith means everything to her, she is devoted to the Almighty.
I came with her inside the Gurdwara where she was meeting two old men.
We all sat nearby this door which was opened and allowing us to be in a stream of air and we shared a few words for a while.
I took some pictures, they enjoyed to see them.
It was very peaceful, no one else came to disturb that moment of grace where I felt I was “in the dust of the Lord’s Feet”…

This picture is an opportunity to wish a
Happy World Photography Day to all of you…!!!

Contemplating the Name

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“Contemplate the Name yourself; inspire it to others;
By attending to it, discoursing of it, living by it, obtain liberation.
The true essence, eternal is the Lord’s Name:
By spontaneous devotion, says Nanak, chant the Lord’s praise.”
(Guru Granth Sahib Adi Granth)

This image was shot last Friday at the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib which is located near Connaught Place in Delhi.
It was at sunset, those two young men were praying facing the Temple.
I took several pictures that I showed them after.

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Back to Amritsar

 

I took this picture last evening as I was walking down the stairs leading to the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
It was before sunset, later I met Marina, the lady who is wearing sunglasses, she is from Brazil but we spoke in French, it was nice to share a few words with her by the Pool of the Nectar.

The Golden Temple (informal name in Sikhism), is the most sacred and holiest shrine of Sikhism (the holy-of-holies of Sikhism). 
The official name of the Temple in Sikhism is: Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib, (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ) which means literally (Harmandir Sahib meaning: The Abode of God).
It is located in Amritsar (meaning: The Pool of the Nectar of Immortality), the holiest city in Sikhism, in the state of Punjab, India. 
Sikh devotees, for whom the Temple is a symbol of infinite freedom and spiritual independence, come to the Temple from all over the world to enjoy its environs and offer their prayers.

The Gold plating on the Golden temple makes it so unique and the reflection in the water gives an etherial beauty to the whole complex.

The Abode of God at Dusk

© All photographs are copyrighted and all rights reserved. 
Please do not use any photographs without permission (even for private use).
The use of any work without consent of the artist is PROHIBITED and will lead automatically to consequences.

The Golden Temple (informal name in Sikhism), is the most sacred and holiest shrine of Sikhism (the holy-of-holies of Sikhism).
The official name of the Temple in Sikhism is: Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib, (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ) which means literally (Harmandir Sahib meaning: The Abode of God).
It is located in Amritsar (meaning: The Pool of the Nectar of Immortality), the holiest city in Sikhism, in the state of Punjab, India.
Sikh devotees, for whom the Temple is a symbol of infinite freedom and spiritual independence, come to the Temple from all over the world to enjoy its environs and offer their prayers.

The Gold plating on the Golden temple makes it so unique and the reflection in the water gives an etherial beauty to the whole complex.

When I come to Amritsar for my work I try to come there everyday.
I took this picture two days ago at dusk when I saw this man who was following the evening prayer which started inside the Temple and that we could all listen outside.

If Heaven exits I wish it looks like this…

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Baptism and the Khalsa

 

This is a picture of a young guard who accepted to pose for me in front of the Golden Temple in Armitsar last Friday afternoon.

Like most of the sikhs he was baptised and he wears the Five Ks.

Khalsa (meaning pure) is the name given by Gobind Singh to all Sikhs who have been baptised or initiated by taking ammrit in a ceremony called ammrit sañcār. 
The first time that this ceremony took place was on Vaisakhi, which fell on 30 March 1699 at Anandpur Sahib in India. It was on that occasion that Gobind Singh baptised the Pañj Piārē who in turn baptised Gobind Singh himself.

Baptised Sikhs are bound to wear the Five Ks (in Punjabi known as pañj kakkē or pañj kakār), or articles of faith, at all times. 
The tenth guru, Gobind Singh, ordered these Five Ks to be worn so that a Sikh could actively use them to make a difference to their own and to others’ spirituality. 
The 5 items are: kēs (uncut hair), kaṅghā (small comb), kaṛā (circular heavy metal bracelet), kirpān (ceremonial short sword), and kacchā (special undergarment). 
The Five Ks have both practical and symbolic purposes.