sleeping in golden temple

sam78a · Oct 7th, 2009, 11:38

I am interested in sleeping in the golden temple. I heard that they have a seperate area for foreigners. Do you have to sleep there, or are you allowed to sleep with the pilgrims?

Either way, what is the experience like?

shere · Oct 7th, 2009, 15:48

You are not allowed to sleep in the actual Golden Temple. There are purpose built accomodation blocks around the complex where you can stay. They are known as serai or niwas. There are some purpose built ones for non resident indians with better facilities, you may be able to get a room here.

Please be careful with your valuables as thieves do operate within the complex.

delhiwala · Oct 7th, 2009, 18:28

When you enter Golden Temple complex, the accommodation booking office is on your left.

The experience is good ! You may watch both early morning and late night Palki Ceremony, when Shri Guru Granth Sahib is shifted to Harmandir Sahib and Akal Takhat.

sam78a · Oct 7th, 2009, 21:08

OK, but are the dorms segreagted from the tourists (non-Indians) vs. Sikh pilgrims? I think most of the fun would be being with the pilgrims, but if you are just in a dorm with other tourists, doesnt that cut out the fun or interest?

shere · Oct 7th, 2009, 22:17

You can stay with other pilgrims but the accomodation is very poor and not very clean. As a foreigner you might be able to get more private accomdation that is clean.

Its upto you what you go for but from experience I would opt for the rooms for foreigners. I had the pleasure of seeing both types of accomdation when I visited Gurdwara in Pakistan. We were staying at Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, day 1 everything nice and clean and the large communal bathrooms were clean. At midnight the Indian contingent arrived and they literally poo'd on the floor next to toilets rather than sitting on them. The place was transformed into a health and safety disaster area.

Oct 7th, 2009, 11:38	#1
sam78a Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: nc Posts: 41	sleeping in golden temple I am interested in sleeping in the golden temple. I heard that they have a seperate area for foreigners. Do you have to sleep there, or are you allowed to sleep with the pilgrims? Either way, what is the experience like?

Oct 7th, 2009, 18:28	#3
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,813	When you enter Golden Temple complex, the accommodation booking office is on your left. The experience is good ! You may watch both early morning and late night Palki Ceremony, when Shri Guru Granth Sahib is shifted to Harmandir Sahib and Akal Takhat. __________________ Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone. - The Dhammapada

Oct 7th, 2009, 21:08	#4
sam78a Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: nc Posts: 41	temple OK, but are the dorms segreagted from the tourists (non-Indians) vs. Sikh pilgrims? I think most of the fun would be being with the pilgrims, but if you are just in a dorm with other tourists, doesnt that cut out the fun or interest?

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Oct 7th, 2009, 15:48	#2
shere Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: England Posts: 1,199	You are not allowed to sleep in the actual Golden Temple. There are purpose built accomodation blocks around the complex where you can stay. They are known as serai or niwas. There are some purpose built ones for non resident indians with better facilities, you may be able to get a room here. Please be careful with your valuables as thieves do operate within the complex.

Oct 7th, 2009, 22:17	#5
shere Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: England Posts: 1,199	You can stay with other pilgrims but the accomodation is very poor and not very clean. As a foreigner you might be able to get more private accomdation that is clean. Its upto you what you go for but from experience I would opt for the rooms for foreigners. I had the pleasure of seeing both types of accomdation when I visited Gurdwara in Pakistan. We were staying at Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, day 1 everything nice and clean and the large communal bathrooms were clean. At midnight the Indian contingent arrived and they literally poo'd on the floor next to toilets rather than sitting on them. The place was transformed into a health and safety disaster area.