Golden Temple, Amritsar

The Golden Temple or Darbar Sahib or Shri Harmandir Sahib is situated in Amritsar, Punjab, and is the most important place of holy pilgrimage for the Sikhs. It is a powerful monument of immense historical importance that represents the magnificence and strength of the Sikhs spread all over the world. The glorious temple is a living example of the spirit of tolerance and acceptance that the Sikh philosophy propounds. In the other temples, the devotees have to climb up to offer their obeisance but, in the Golden Temple, devotees have to step down to offer their homage.

The actual idea of establishing a central place of worship had been conceived by Guru Amar Das and he thus, designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib. Earlier the planning to excavate the holy tank (Amritsar or Amrit Sarovar ) was chalked out by Guru Amardas Sahib, the Third Nanak, but it was executed by Guru Ramdas Sahib under the supervision of Baba Budha ji. The tank and the temple have been a source of inspiration to the Sikh community ever since its foundation.

Guru Arjan Sahib installed the newly created Guru Granth Sahib, in Sri Harmandir Sahib and appointed Baba Budha ji as its first Granthi i.e. the reader of Guru Granth Sahib. After this event it attained the status of 'Ath Sath Tirath'. Thus, the sikh nation had their own Tirath, a pilgrimage center.

Sri Harmandir Sahib, is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of the Sarovar(tank). The temple itself is 40.5ft. square. It has a door each on the east, west, north and south. The Darshani Deori (an arch) stands at the shore end of the causeway. At the top of the first floor 4 feet high parapet rises on all the sides which has also four 'Mamtees' on the four corners and exactly on the top of the central hall of the main sanctuary rises the third story. A regular recitation of Guru Granth Sahib is also held there. A low fluted 'Gumbaz'(dome) stands at the top of this room having lotus petal motif in relief at the base inverted lotus at the top which supports the 'Kalash' having a beautiful 'Chhatri' at the end.

Its architecture represents a unique harmony between the muslims and the hindus way of construction work and is reputed as one of the best architectural wonders of the world. It is often quoted that this architecture has created an independent sikh school of architecture in the history of art in India.

Best time to visit
October through to January are good times to go, when the temperatures are cooler and more comfortable.