Gaddi chali Amritsar (First Year IITR)

The trip to Amritsar started with a long wait for the train at the Roorkee station. I wore my purple full sleeve t-shirt with off white trousers. We all were geared up and enthusiastic for our first ever trip together. The wait at the station included a photo session which would work as souvenirs in future, The train to the administrative headquarter of Amritsar district arrived and our journey began with the jaikara “Jo bole so Nihaal, Satsriyakaal”

                                                     

Our first encounter with the people of Amritsar was dramatic. We were denied accommodation in dharmashala on account that we all were single (Did they expect us to marry at 19). I thought of announcing ourselves as gays but feared of a round of GPL (Gaand Pe Laat) :D.

We took SNAAN in the open bathrooms of the dharmashala. Some were feeling shy but most of us were enjoying under the tap water. We booked 2 rooms in a hotel adjacent to the dharmashala and then took our way to the Golden Temple.

The temple is a massive structure. With a gold laden dome on top of a white washed base, the gurudwara took my heart away. I was spellbound by the immense beauty of the entire place. We bowed our heads in front of Guru Granth Sahib to pay tribute to the great gurus of Sikh community. The water body around the temple was home to beautiful fishes. The sooji ka halwa prepared in desi ghee is a prasada to die for J.

After the Darshan we headed to Bhrawan Da Dhaaba, a food joint suggested by my uncle. It was far away from the temple and we walked the entire distance. I faced angry expressions from many as they were getting tired of walking for so long. By god’s grace we reached there without me being chopped off in pieces. Amritsari Naan with Kabuli Chana made an awesome afternoon meal which we ate till our stomachs cried for respite.

The night spent at the hotel was an achievement in itself. 15 people slept in one room with me lying under the bed :D. The memory is still cherished.

The trip will also be remembered for our visit to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre site. I could feel the massacre taking place in front of my eyes with General Dyer ordering his men to open fire at the unarmed protestors. The bullet marks on the walls were shouting for justice for the people who died because of a foolish decision.  The importance of an independent country was pretty much evident.
           
                                                           

The best part of the trip was our visit to the Wagah Border. Denied an entry on the first day due to Chidambaram’s visit, we went back to the border on the second day. Before taking our seats for the beating retreat we decided to roam around a little and in the process reached near the national border guarded by fences. As soon as we heard a shout from the BSF jawan, we ran back to save our lives from any cross border firing. (We did play with our luck and lives that very moment.. Samjhe !!). The patriotic feeling did arouse on seeing our jawans performing at the border. We kept the flag flying high to show respect to our mother nation and sang the national anthem with full zeal and respect.

The trip did help in strengthening the bonds between us. It was necessary to build friendship for the years to come. The memories from the trip would be cherished life long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!