Golden Temple
Golden Temple (Amritsar, Panjab)
The Golden Temple Amritsar India (Sri Harimandir Sahib Amritsar) is not only a central religious place of the Sikhs, but also a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. Everybody, irrespective of cast, creed or race can seek spiritual solace and religious fulfilment without any hindrance. It also represents the distinct identity, glory and heritage of the Sikhs.
The Golden Temple has a unique Sikh architecture. Built at a level lower than the surrounding land level, The Gurudwara teaches the lesson of egalitarianism and humility. The four entrances of this holy shrine from all four directions, signify that people belonging to every walk of life are equally welcome.
Harmandir Sahib, Harmandir also spelled Harimandir, also called Darbar Sahib (Punjabi: “Sacred Audience”) or Golden Temple, the chief gurdwara, or house of worship, of Sikhism and the Sikhs’ most important pilgrimage site. It is located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab state, northwestern India. The spiritual focus is the tank, the Amrit Sarovar, which surrounds the glistening central shrine. Amritsar takes its name from this Amrit Sarovar which was excavated in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das.
Around the edge of the compound, there are more shrines and monuments. The Sikh Museum is located inside the main entrance clock tower which shows the oppression endured by the Sikhs at the hands of the Mughals, the British and the Indian Government of 1984. The Ramgarhia Bunga is a protective fortress located at the southeast end of the tank and is surrounded by two Islamic-style minarets. Golden Temple is indisputably one of the most exquisite attractions in the world.
The Guru Granth Sahib is installed in the temple every morning and returned at night to the Akal Takhat, the temporal seat of the Khalsa brotherhood. The ceremony takes place at 5am and 9.30pm in winter, and 4am and 10.30pm in summer. Inside the Akal Takhat, you can view a collection of sacred Sikh weapons. The building was heavily damaged when it was stormed by the Indian army during Operation Blue Star in 1984. It was repaired by the government but Sikhs refused to use the tainted building and rebuilt the tower from scratch.
Some interesting things about Golden temple-
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the one who covered it in gold in 1830, two centuries after its construction. This took 162 kg of gold, then worth about Rs 65 lakh.
And this renovation went on for four years; from 1995 to 1999.
It’s all made of 24-karat gold, which is much purer than the 22-karat gold present in Indian households today.
Free meals are provided for everyone in the langar (dining hall). Thanks to donations and volunteers that work round the clock, a simple meal of roti, rice, dhal, veggies and dessert is provided every day for all visitors regardless of faith and origins.
Golden Temple was named after the outer layer of gold foil that covers the entire temple. After the death of Guru Govind Singh, this gurudwara was constantly attacked and destroyed by the Islamic rulers. In the year 1762, this religious heritage was completely blown away with gunpowder. After the devastation, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a brave Sikh ruler rebuilt the rich heritage with marble and adorned it with gold.
The manmade lake around the temple is known as 'Amrit Sarovar' which is translated as ‘Pool of Holy Nectar’.
The Langar at the Golden temple serves up to 200,000 people during special religious events. Amazingly, all the food served are donations from faithful.
The Golden Temple Amritsar India (Sri Harimandir Sahib Amritsar) is not only a central religious place of the Sikhs, but also a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. Everybody, irrespective of cast, creed or race can seek spiritual solace and religious fulfilment without any hindrance. It also represents the distinct identity, glory and heritage of the Sikhs.
The Golden Temple has a unique Sikh architecture. Built at a level lower than the surrounding land level, The Gurudwara teaches the lesson of egalitarianism and humility. The four entrances of this holy shrine from all four directions, signify that people belonging to every walk of life are equally welcome.
Harmandir Sahib, Harmandir also spelled Harimandir, also called Darbar Sahib (Punjabi: “Sacred Audience”) or Golden Temple, the chief gurdwara, or house of worship, of Sikhism and the Sikhs’ most important pilgrimage site. It is located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab state, northwestern India. The spiritual focus is the tank, the Amrit Sarovar, which surrounds the glistening central shrine. Amritsar takes its name from this Amrit Sarovar which was excavated in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das.
Around the edge of the compound, there are more shrines and monuments. The Sikh Museum is located inside the main entrance clock tower which shows the oppression endured by the Sikhs at the hands of the Mughals, the British and the Indian Government of 1984. The Ramgarhia Bunga is a protective fortress located at the southeast end of the tank and is surrounded by two Islamic-style minarets. Golden Temple is indisputably one of the most exquisite attractions in the world.
The Guru Granth Sahib is installed in the temple every morning and returned at night to the Akal Takhat, the temporal seat of the Khalsa brotherhood. The ceremony takes place at 5am and 9.30pm in winter, and 4am and 10.30pm in summer. Inside the Akal Takhat, you can view a collection of sacred Sikh weapons. The building was heavily damaged when it was stormed by the Indian army during Operation Blue Star in 1984. It was repaired by the government but Sikhs refused to use the tainted building and rebuilt the tower from scratch.
Some interesting things about Golden temple-
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the one who covered it in gold in 1830, two centuries after its construction. This took 162 kg of gold, then worth about Rs 65 lakh.
And this renovation went on for four years; from 1995 to 1999.
It’s all made of 24-karat gold, which is much purer than the 22-karat gold present in Indian households today.
Free meals are provided for everyone in the langar (dining hall). Thanks to donations and volunteers that work round the clock, a simple meal of roti, rice, dhal, veggies and dessert is provided every day for all visitors regardless of faith and origins.
Golden Temple was named after the outer layer of gold foil that covers the entire temple. After the death of Guru Govind Singh, this gurudwara was constantly attacked and destroyed by the Islamic rulers. In the year 1762, this religious heritage was completely blown away with gunpowder. After the devastation, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a brave Sikh ruler rebuilt the rich heritage with marble and adorned it with gold.
The manmade lake around the temple is known as 'Amrit Sarovar' which is translated as ‘Pool of Holy Nectar’.
The Langar at the Golden temple serves up to 200,000 people during special religious events. Amazingly, all the food served are donations from faithful.
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