ALS NaPoWriMo 2025 Day 16: A poem about any piece of architecture

 

Today I’ve used a Gurbani verse for my poem, “Ditthe sabhe thaanv, nahin tudh jaehia”, meaning, “I have seen all the places, but none compares to You (Lord).”

 

I’ve written about Harmandir Sahib, also called Darbar Sahib, or Golden Temple in Amritsar.

 

Poem: Hari ka Mandir, Harmandir Sahib

 

“Ditthe sabhe thaanv, nahin tudh jaehia,”

I have seen all the places, but none compares to this Holy Shrine

—

A place I’ve revered since I was a child–

The Holy Shrine, the Sikh pilgrimage, the Harmandir Sahib

—

A place that welcomes all, with entrances on all four sides,

Seated in the Golden Temple is the Holy Guru Granth Sahib

—

Embellished with gold, and surrounded by water on all sides,

A place of worship for all, founded by the fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das Sahib

—

From Amrit Vela (early morning) to Sukhasan (after midnight),

The place reverberates with Guru’s verses full of insights

—

A calmness assumes my soul as I enter its vicinity,

The place resounds with Gurbani Shabad (hymns), sprinkling tranquillity

—

The meaningful hymns sung by Raagi (musician) in their soulful voices,

Offer answers to all qualms, directing my choices

—

When I walk into the temple, I feel mystified,

An assurance I feel, of His presence by my side

—

Seated by the Sarovar (lake), listening to the kirtan (devotional music),

The aura of this place, for me, is paradise

—

From the worldly chaos and clutter, when I need some respite,

I feel an inner calling to visit this Holy Shrine

—

A connect with the Creator I feel in this Temple,

No place I’ve found with energy so divine

—

Ditthe sabhe thaanv, nahin tudh jaehia

I have seen all the places, but to You (Lord), none compares.

 

©Vandana Bhasin

16.04.2025