Travel and Tourism in Society: Reflecting on the Golden Temple Visit

This report presents a reflection on a student's field trip to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, exploring the intersection of travel and tourism within society. The report begins with an introduction outlining the purpose and scope, followed by a literature review providing background information on the Golden Temple's history and significance. The core of the report details the student's experiences before, during, and after the trip, encompassing observations on the temple's architecture, the volunteers, the kitchen, and the overall atmosphere. A sociological issue related to hygiene is also discussed. The analysis section delves into the student's observations, highlighting the cultural and religious aspects of the site. The report concludes with a summary of the key takeaways and reflections on the impact of the trip on the student's understanding of travel, tourism, and its role in shaping societal perspectives. References are provided at the end of the report.

Running Head: TRAVEL AND TOURISM 0
Travel and Tourism in Society
Destination: Golden Temple
(Student Details: )
2/26/2020

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Contents
Travel and Tourism in Society...................................................................................................2
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Literature Review.......................................................................................................................2
The trip itself..............................................................................................................................4
Before the trip........................................................................................................................4
During the trip........................................................................................................................4
After the trip...........................................................................................................................6
Discussion and Analysis............................................................................................................6
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................7
References..................................................................................................................................8

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Travel and Tourism in Society
Introduction
This essay is focused on reflecting on the topic of travel and tourism in society. In
doing so, I will use my personal experience of visiting Golden Temple as a recent trip so that
I can better reflect on the field trip. In this context, I am going to present my personal
experiences on the field trip to the destination Golden Temple, Amritsar. It is because the
chosen destination seems the best travel destination to visit, and analyse from travel and
tourism perspective. The Golden Temple (GT) is situated in Amritsar and it is considered as
the holiest shrine of the Sikh Community (Wild Frontiers, 2020). In addition, a sociological
issue will be included here with the help of kitchen and basic hygiene facilities at GT,
Amritsar.
Source: (Go Far Grow Close, 2018)
Literature Review
The GT in Amritsar has been built during the reign of Akbar, as he used to give great
respect to all religions in society (Sacred Sites, 2020). It is worth knowing that, the different
domes of this destination temple are wholly covered with gold. Moreover, the GT of Amristar

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is also known as Darbar Sahib or Harmandar Sahib (Wildnest, 2020). As mentioned by the
researchers and ethnographers, the chosen destination is a great pilgrimage centre of the Sikh
people. In addition to that, I found out this holy temple was actually completed in the
supervision as well as under the direct control of great Guru Arjan Dev (Golden Temple
Amritsar, 2020). Besides, the place is having a huge pool all around it (Punjab Tourism,
2020).
Source: (Golden Temple Amritsar, 2020)
The trip itself
This section is dedicated to reflecting upon the field trip to Golden Temple, Amritsar
in a constructive way. Since very long, GT, Amritsar was a priority in my travel list. I had
three kinds of experiences in relation to field visit at Golden Temple, Amritsar (Golden
Temple Amritsar, 2020).

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Source: (Go Far Grow Close, 2018)
Before the trip
Before the trip, I read about the Golden Temple is a significant pilgrimage site for the
Sikh people in the world. As per the ethnographers and other researchers, the chosen
destination experiences thousands of visitors from all across India as well as the globe for
visiting the site regularly. Before the trip, I found that the GT is surrounded by multiple
buildings, areas for religious study, and accommodation facilities for pilgrims (Urry &
Larsen, 2011).
During the trip
When we were about to leave our shoes outside the temple then I observed that so
many people were volunteering themselves by taking care of pilgrims’ shoes and footwear
(Sikh Dharma International, 2016). Afterward, we washed our feet and which gave me a
great feeling of peace. There was a peaceful sound of chants and I had never felt such a
peaceful experience. I personally realized that white buildings all around the GT building
were reminding me of the stories of deities as well as a princess which were told to me when
I was a child. In addition to that, the trip visit made me remember my history classes about
the partition of India (Graburn, 2001). I got to know a lot about Sikhs and their culture during
the visit to GT, Amritsar. I noticed that even when the sunset down, visiting GT during the

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night, was actually a blissful experience. I found that GT at night is bliss for the soul and eyes
(Moon, 2013).
From the sociological issue perspective, I also observed, an issue related to basic
hygiene. It means when I visited the kitchen of the GT, Amritsar then I saw a bit of filthiness
as well as mess due to the fact that they are serving daily food to thousands of pilgrims and
needy people every day. Thus, the issue seemed critical and important which needs to be
addressed soon.
Source: (Punjab Tourism, 2020)
Apart from the temple, I also visited the kitchen of the GT where the ‘Langar’ is
prepared for all. I enquired and got to know that more than 2,00,000 people are usually fed
each and every day with the efforts of more than 100 volunteers at GT, Amritsar. I am
mentioning it because I could sense and grab the faith in the principle of humanity during my
trip GT. The practical demonstration of the principle of the selfless dedication of human
beings for other human beings was outstanding and mesmerizing (Budeanu, Miller,
Moscardo, & Ooi, 2016). I saw that those volunteers were ensuring that a co-existing
individual of society is not going to sleep with an empty stomach as well as a heavy heart
(Trivedi, 202). I was also impressed by the efficiency as well as commendable operations set
by the temple authorities. Overall, the field trip visit was a great life-long experience. On the
other hand, I got very inspired by the efforts given by the volunteers of the Golden Temple,
Amritsar. After the trip, I started feeling that if even half of the world will start believing in
the subjugation concept of selfless service and selfish motives for the society then the whole
world will definitely get transformed into a better place to live (Golden Temple Amritsar,
2020).

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Source: (Golden Temple Amritsar, 2020)
After the trip
Post trip, I was able to integrate all learning, observations, feelings, and experiences
for creating a life-long memorable experience. The whole field trip gave me a peaceful
feeling and experience to cherish lifelong. Apart from this, one thing which impressed me the
most during the trip to GT is the peaceful ambience of the place inside and outside the
temple. This trip made me learn a lot of religious things about different religions especially
Sikhism (Punjab Tourism, 2020). As per the gained knowledge from this GT trip, I got to
know that the principle of religion always welcomes people to the holy place without
distinction of nationality, race or beliefs (Buhalis & Crotts, 2013).
Discussion and Analysis
There were many things that I observed after visiting the destination Golden Temple,
Amritsar (Golden Temple Amritsar, 2020). I have observed that GT’s architecture is a mixed
style of so many necessary religious practices which exist in India. Apart from this, I have
studied and observed and noticed that some key cultural styles are Mughal, Indo-Islamic, and
Hindu Rajput. My observations suggest that the Golden Temple is having two levels along

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with a dome covered from gold foil. I can now tell others that this Sikh temple typically
stands on a marble platform and thereby sits inside a pool called Amrit Sarovar (Wild
Frontiers, 2020). I observed that at GT, it is a common practice to collect the pond’s water for
sick people in bottles so as to carry to preserve all along their way to home (Travelogy India
Blog, 2020). It is because water available at the pond of GT is usually sprinkled on the sick to
cure them of diseases and others. Thus, visiting the Golden Temple gave me a lot of learning,
peace and future insights for personal development and growth (Wildnest, 2020).
Conclusion
In whole, with the help of these reflections, I could think about how my personal
views on the destination I visited during the field trip. I must say that this trip changed and
thereby evolved my opinions and feelings about religions as well as humanity. The reflection
report on experiences gained during the Golden Temple Trip allowed me to observe
surroundings and things in a different as well as innovative way. In this way, through
discussing my experiences before the field trip, during the field trip, and after the field trip, I
have successfully reflected and collected learning for future personal development.

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References
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UK: Routledge.
Budeanu, A., Miller, G., Moscardo, G., & Ooi, C. (2016). Sustainable tourism, progress,
challenges and opportunities: an introduction. Journal of Cleaner Production, 111,
285-294.
Buhalis, D., & Crotts, J. (2013). Global alliances in tourism and hospitality management.
LOndon : Routledge.
Cohen, E. (1979). A Phenomenology of Tourist Experiences. Sociology. 13(2), 179-201.
Edgell, D. (2016). Managing sustainable tourism: A legacy for the future. UK: Routledge.
Go Far Grow Close. (2018). Exploring The Golden Temple In Amristar India. Retrieved from
Go Far Grow Close: https://gofargrowclose.com/exploring-golden-temple-amristar-
india/
Golden Temple Amritsar. (2020). History. Retrieved from Golden Temple Amritsar:
https://www.goldentempleamritsar.org/famous-temples-in-india/amritsar/golden-
temple/history.php
Graburn, N. (2001). Secular ritual: A general theory of tourism. In V. L. Smith & M. Brent
(Eds.), Hosts and Guests Revisited: Tourism Issues of the 21st Century. USA:
Cognizant Communication Corporation.
Moon, J. (2013). Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and practice.
London: Routledge.
Punjab Tourism. (2020). WELCOME TO GOLDEN TEMPLE (AMRITSAR). Retrieved from
Punjab Tourism: http://punjabtourism.gov.in/Punjab.html#/attraction/1/golden-temple
Sacred Sites. (2020). The Golden Temple, Amritsar. Retrieved from Scared Sites:
https://sacredsites.com/asia/india/golden_temple_amritsar.html
Sikh Dharma International. (2016). The Beauty and Experiences at the Golden Temple.
Retrieved from Sikh Dharma International: https://www.sikhdharma.org/beauty-

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experiences-golden-temple/
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https://www.soas.ac.uk/gallery/goldentemple/
Travelogy India Blog. (2020). Golden Temple Amritsar- The Most Visited Place in the World.
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Trivedi, U. (202). Visiting Golden Temple at Night – A Blissful Experience. Retrieved from
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Urry, J., & Larsen, J. (2011). The Tourist Gaze 3.0. London: Sage Publications.
Wild Frontiers. (2020). GUIDE TO VISITING THE GOLDEN TEMPLE. Retrieved from
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Wildnest. (2020). Places to visit in Amritsar. Retrieved from Wildnest:
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