Jain Temple with bird hospital, Sikh Gurudwara, Birla Mandir (Hindu Temple)

 Visit to a Jama Masjid  (Jain Temple)

After our rest break we first visited a Jain Temple.  There are three offshoots of Hinduism:  Jainism,  Buddhism, Sikhism.  All believe in reincarnation and the creation of Karma resulting from good or bad acts in past lives. The goal of each is enlightenment.  Ridding oneself of all karmas (good and bad)

No pictures were allowed here or in many places due to threats so no electronic devices allowed.

Jains believe in a very strict form of non violence.   They practice non violence toward any form of life, even vegetables are only eaten if the plant is not killed .  They go barefoot so that if they step on a creature, it has a better chance of survival.  Some wear masks so as not to inhale and kill any living thing. One branch practices nudity as a kind of complete renunciation. 

The temple complex included a bird sanctuary which we walked through.  We saw cages and cages of pigeons, parakeets, an eagle with a broken wing, and other injured birds.  Two men were at a table feeding by dropper, seriously injured birds.

Visit to Bangla Sahib ( a Sikh Temple or Gurudwara)

Sikh's are noted for feeding many each day.  At the Gurudwara we visited they feed thousands each day and are open certain hours for 3 meals a day.  Anyone can volunteer to help in the kitchen by just walking in.  There are no hierarchies and the wealthy may sit next to the poor.  They enter the large hall and sit side by side on the long carpet rows.  Each is given a tin tray with dividers and servers come with all the different foods prepared by the volunteers.  You can volunteer for 5 minutes or hours. All are welcome to eat and all are welcome to volunteer.

 At the entrance selling Sikh related items

 The walkway to the temple inside the wall

 Men and women cover their heads.Sikh men wear a turban

 This pole with an orange flag at the top is common at Gurudwara's so people at a distance can see it and know there is food

 This large pool divided in the center for men and women is a place for ablutions and healing

 The main temple is covered in gold leaf

 Music alternates with reading 24 hours a day.

 People entering .  Entrance is on the right out of sight

 This is where people are fed.  Those standing are servers.

Volunteers preparing beans and vegetables

Birla Mandir (Hindu Temple)

No pictures allowed inside though we were able to walk everywhere inside

After this long day I slept 11 hours.   Today, Tue is a day off.   Tomorrow we drive to Agra and the Taj Mahal