Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib)

Few places in the world move visitors like the Golden Temple. The holiest gurdwara of the Sikh faith, its gilded sanctuary appears to float at the centre of the Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar), reflected in the still water and reached by a marble causeway. Around it flows a constant, serene tide of pilgrims.

The atmosphere is one of profound peace and radical equality — everyone, of every background, is welcome. The temple's langar (community kitchen) serves free meals to up to 100,000 people a day, one of the great humanitarian sights on earth.

• ›The temple glowing gold at dawn and after dark.
• ›The langar — the world's largest free community kitchen.
• ›The continuous devotional singing (kirtan) from the sanctum.

Cover your head, remove shoes and wash your feet before entering (facilities provided). Dress modestly. It's open around the clock — the pre-dawn and late-night hours are especially magical.