AMRITSAR

Not only the cultural center of the Sikh religion, Amritsar, located in India's northwestern province of Punjab, is also home to the most prominent Sikh shrine, the Golden temple.
The gold plated temple, which holds the religion's holy book during the day, stands in a large man-made pool. Visitor's traditionally follow a walkway from the entrance of the complex around the pool, stopping at various shrines while making their toward the Golden temple. The temple is open to all visitors after they have washed their feet and covered their head upon entering the complex.