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Show GOLDEN TEMPLE AMRITZAR. Thp Golden Temple Amrltzar may be called the Mecca of the Sikhs. What a pilgrimage to Mecca is to the devout Mohammedan a pilgrimage to the golden temple, ArarlUar. Is to the devout follower of the ten guides or gurns of the Sikh religion. Sikhs come from all parts of Jmlla to worship and lay their offerings In the temple, and also to be purliled by bathing in the tank of sacred water which surrounds the temple The name Amrltzar means "Pool of Immortality," Im-mortality," so called because 0f tbe sacred pool which lies round tho temple The image of the temple Is clearly reflected In the wateis which M" round It. It is built on an Island, with a marble brldgo or causeway leading to it. We presently find ourselves In a large square court paved with black and white marble. This court is thronged with people peo-ple coming to and from the temple. Sellers of grain, roses, marigolds and Jasmine are sitting about the court with their baskets containing their wares in front of them, reidy to sHl to the plrms devotees going to the temple, who take these things as offerings of-ferings to strew before the Granth Rahlb or sacred book of the Sikh scriptures. The way to the temple from this court lies through mas'ive. beautifully beautiful-ly carved doors, the panels of which nVe covered with a sheathing of beaten beat-en filver. The pates are piarded by a tall and warlike Sikh holding his silver mace of office. We walk along the marble causeway leading from tho doors direct to tho temple. When we get near the temple we. pe with what exquisite detail It Is built. It Is rlchlv ornamented with mosaics and Inlaid work of Jide, porphyry por-phyry and pearl. The Lnlald work roresenls flowers, fish, blrda and various animals, all perfectly designed and portrayed. Tho marble pavement at our feet is also covered with inlaid in-laid work. We enter the temple tnrougn a low canpd doorway. On a sort of raised altar lies the Granth Sahib. Tbe book Is carefully swathed In silks and velvets; over It stretches a large velvet vel-vet canopy, under which the prints are seated busily chanting Sikh scriptures and receiving offerings from the faithful (especially busy doing do-ing this last). The chanting makes .1 monotonous din kept up with a drum continuously beating accompaniment, and it is all In honor of the sacred book, to which gToat reverence is paid. It Is actually put to bed every nlcht. when It Is carried In solemn procession by the priests to the treasury In the court, where It Is kept safely for the night. In the treasury are kept the swords and battleaxes. knives spears and shields of the Sikhs, who are an eminently emi-nently warlike race. The floor before tbe Granth Sahib is strewn with roses, Jasmine and marigold petals, silver and copper coins. The priests hasten to divide the silver from the copper (like the sheep from the coats), 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 wc see the scene going go-ing on In the temple well the fnt priests lazily waltlnK for the offerings, offer-ings, some chanting monotonously, the energetic thumping of the drum, the pious demeanor of the worshippers. worship-pers. A woman richly dressed in a silk chuddar of some brilliant color comes to the door, bows and puts a little dust on her forehead, and then advances ad-vances with her offerings contained In a brass tray, rose loaves. Jasmine petals, nttar and pan. Hidden among the rose leaves are some silver coins. Next, maybe. It is a poor woman who comes In with au offering of a few-grains few-grains of rice or corn, some flower petals and a copper coin worth, perhaps, per-haps, a farthing, or. at most, a halfpenny. half-penny. Tho priests take all the offerings and place them for a moment before the Granth Sahib, then sweep the coins into either tbe biker or coppew heap and fling the flower petals aside. The Gentleman. ru-i |