India or London?
Which country are we in today?
This beautiful Sikh temple is the Gurdwara Karamsar, in Ilford. The stonewok on the front is carved, and it took eleven stonemasons from Rajasthan eighteen months to complete. The craftsmanship is truly awesome - do have a look at the detail, I have posted other pics on My Other Stuff. It is based on the Gurdwara Karamasar, in Rara Sahib, Ludhiana.
Fascinating fact of the day: In the Sikh (rember to pronounce the "H") religion, women have equal standing with men.
Today's theme for City Photo Bloggers was suggested by Jenny of Sharon, CT Daily Photo: places in our own cities that look like other countries. Why not travel around the ring to see what other cities have joined this theme? You can also visit the Indian subcontinent in Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai on the Daily Photo blogroll.
posted by Ham at 00:02 --
Comments here: 15
Comments on "India or London?"
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Carrie Nichols said ... (05:41) :
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Michael Salone said ... (06:49) :
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Ham said ... (09:27) :
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Unknown said ... (17:56) :
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Sam said ... (21:02) :
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Anonymous said ... (21:25) :
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Ham said ... (21:48) :
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Deetsa said ... (06:58) :
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Ham said ... (07:51) :
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Stumpy and The Rooster said ... (21:06) :
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Anonymous said ... (21:20) :
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ems said ... (22:32) :
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Ham said ... (07:52) :
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Anonymous said ... (09:43) :
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Gerald (SK14) said ... (08:24) :
post a commentReally does look like India! Great shot.
I'm amazed not only of the shot and the building, but the explanation you gave. Seems like you did your research! By the way, how on earth do you say the "H" in "Sikh"! You'd laugh listening to me try.
Carol - this building is quite near me and I watched in fascination as the carving went on. To look at it now,most people probably think that it is cast, not carved, but that belies the astonishing artistic strength that is demonstrated in the traditional discipline. Imagine, if you will, the difference between the real Van Gogh Sunflowers, and a print.
Michael, I went in to the Gurdwara and was welcomed with open arms by many people (I hope some get to see this post). The manager was very helpful, told me some history and pointed me to some sites. It was one such site that told me that the pronunciation that I (and all English?) use of "seek" is wrong. Istead, it should be see-kah, duosyllabic. Mind you, I reckon using it in common conversation might render my meaning obscure, but I will bear it in mind when talking to a Sikh. Plus, of course, it is always subject to the standard sanity test of anything you find on the Internet...
I didn't have enough time then, but I have been invited to go and be shown around; I think I may well take this up.
Wow! This is terrific. Thank you.
This is so grat!!
Love the shot - and the riddle!
Now, I'm probably going to make myself unpopular by saying this, but how the hell do they get planning permission to put up buildings like this, that are so out of keeping with the local architecture?
If *I* wanted to put up an out-of-keeping structure, there is no way I'd be granted permission...
BW - ....DO NOT get me started on the subject of panning process. As it happens this is a beautiful structure in a wasteland, so it deserves planning. But DO NOT get me started!
That is the most beautiful Sikh temple I've ever seen! The Sikh people are quite prevalent in my part of the world. I don't recall ever seeing a Sikh temple that looked this exotic and fascinating, though. Ours are usually white with gold accents
I should have mentioned - what was there before, if I remember correctly, was a car park.
That is amazing - I never would have guessed 'carved' - the detail is incredible.
You've had 'personal experience' of the 'vagaries' of planning in this country then Ham? ;)
A well-timed photo as yesterday was Vaisakhi - the Sikh New Year.
BW - Which planning system is that? The one administered by automatons and reduced binary brains without a single "1" between them? The one where the eventual decisions are made by laypeople whose only reason for existence is toadying inside a political party and have even less knowledge and understanding of planning law? The one where the decision makers are virtually immune from the financial consequences of any decision they make? That the one you mean?
Yep, that's the one :)
12 months on and Hyde DP is revisiting those that took part in the "other city" theme, with links to the other participants.