Golden temple / Harimandir Sahib / Darbar Sahib / Suvaran Mandir, Amritsar, Punjab. India.

The visit to this Golden Temple, a prominent spiritual site in Sikhism at Amritsar in Punjab state was a part of AMARNATH JI yatra on 05^th July 2014. This was a continuation Yatra to Kailash and Chardham ( Yamunothri, Gangothri, Badrinath and Kedarnath ), with the same Group, but with a change of Travel agency. The main itinerary in this Amarnath yatra includes Shiv Khori Cave, Shri Vaishno Devi Cave, Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, Amritsar, Wagah border and Shri Raghunath Temple Jammu.

 Golden temple in the center of Amrit tank

The Harmandir Sahib or the Amritsar Golden temple  is considered as a holiest place for Sikhs. The holiest text of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib is always recited in this Harmandir Sahib. At the second floor all the Sikhs used to read the holiest text of Guru Granth Sahib.

Palanquin for taking Guru Granth Sahib ( PC - Web Site )

ARCHITECTURE

The Golden Temple also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib or Sri Darbar Sahib at Amritsar, has a unique architecture. Built at a level lower than the surrounding  ground level. The 4 entrances around the Sarovar ( Parikrama ) joins at one point from where a path leads to Harmandir Sahib. The Harmandir Sahib was built on a 67 ft square platform, in the centre the temple was constructed 40.5 ft square. The door frame of the arch is about 10 ft in height and 8 ft 6 inches in breadth. The door panes are decorated with artistic style. It opens on to the causeway or bridge that leads to the main building. The bridge measures 202 feet length and 21 feet wide, connects 13 feet wide parikrama / pradakshina / Circumambulatory path with main temple / building Harmandir Sahib. The only one gate served as entrance and exit. It runs round the main shrine and it leads to the “Har Ki Paure ( steps of God )”. On the first floor of Har Ki Paure”, there is continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib.

 The corridor / parikrama / circumambulatory path outside 'Amrit' (அமிர்தம் ) Sarovar

Causeway

The Harmandir building is of 3 stored one.  The front, which faces the bridge, is decorated with repeated cusped arches and the roof of the first floor is at the height of the 26 feet and 9 inches. At the top of the first floor 4 feet high parapet wall rises on all the 4 sides which has also four ‘Mamtees’ / a mandapa with a small kalash on the top supported by 4 pillars on the four corners and exactly on the top of the central hall of the main sanctum Sanctorum  rises the third story. It is a small square room and have three gates. A regular recitation of Guru Granth Sahib is also held there.

 Second floor  of Golden temple, the central dome 

On the top of this room stands the low fluted ‘Gumbaz’ / dome,  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.

The architecture is the combination of Hindu and Muslim construction work and is considered as a best Sikh architecture. This created an independent Sikh School of architecture in the History of architecture world.

 Mural - old paintings on the ceiling - stair way to second floor

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HISTORY

This Golden temple has a long History since 16^th Century.  The Golden temple and Punjab was on the passage of Muslim invaders in to India, the Sikhs faced many challenges, which includes loss of property and lives, which are etched in the memories of Sikhs, which may continue to centuries. Golden temple was viewed as a main target by the Mughal rulers and Afghan Sultans. Thanks to Golden temple and Wikipedia web sites for the information and Photographs.  The History goes like this….

The land for the Amritsar or Amrit Sarovar, Sri Harmandir Sahib and the Township was acquired by the earlier Guru Sahibs on payment or free of cost from Zamindars ( Land Lords ) of native Villages. As advised by Sri Guru Amar Dass, the 3^rd Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Ram Dass Starts the excavation of Sarovar ( Holy Tank ) and construction of Harmandir Sahib in 1574 - 1577 CE. The construction of Sarovar and the Town believed to be started simultaneously in the year 1570 and completed in 1577 CE. 

Guru Arjan Sahib got its foundation laid by a Muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir ji of Lahore on the 1^st of Magh month 1645 Bikrmi Samvat ( December 1588 CE ). The construction work was directly supervised by Guru Arjan Sahib himself and he was assisted by the prominent Sikh personalities like Baba Budha, Bhai Gurdas, Bhai Sahli and many other devoted Sikhs.

The Amritsar or Amrit Sarovar was latter brick lined by Sri Guru Arjan Dev, the 5^th Sikh Guru on December 15^th, 1588 CE.

The building work completed in 1601 CE on Bhandon Sudi 1^st 1661 CE. Bikmi Samvat ( August / September 1604 ).

Guru Arjan Sahib installed the  Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the holy Text of Sikhs after its compilation at Sri Harmandir Sahib on August 1604 CE. A devout Sikh Baba Budha was appointed as a head priest  or Granthi ie the reader of Guru Granth Sahib.  

In 1606 CE, Guru Arjan was arrested and executed  under the order of Jahangir, since he refused to convert in to Islam. His son Guru Gobind Singh left Harmandir Sahib and moved to Shivalik Hills to avoid prosecution. For about 100 years the temple was not occupied by the actual Sikhs. 18^th Century Guru Gobind Singh  and his newly founded Kalsa Sikhs came back and fought to liberate Harmandir Sahib.

In 1709 CE, the Muslim Governor of Lahore sent his army to suppress and prevent Sikhs from gathering for the festivals.

In 1737 CE, Mughal Governor, posted Masse Khan as Police Commissioner and ordered to capture Mani Singh the custodian of the Harmandir Sahib. Masse Khan converted it for entertainment. Latter in 1740 CE, Masse Khan was assassinated by the Sikhs.

In 1746 CE, Lahore Diwan Lakhpat Rai, who was working for Yahiya Khan, filled the Amrit Sarovar with sand, as a revenge for the death of his brother. In 1749 CE the Sikhs restored back,  when Muin Ul-Malik slackened Mughals operations against Sikhs since, He was in need of support for his operations in Multan.

In 1757, Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali attacked Amritsar and Golden temple. He filled the tank with a entrails of slaughtered Cows, before departing to Afghanistan. The Tank was restored again by the Sikhs.

In 1762, Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani returned back and Golden temple was destroyed with gun powder. Sikhs returned back and celebrated  Diwali. In 1764, Baba Jassa singh Ahluwalia rebuilt the temple through the funds collected from public. A New main gate way ( Darshan Deorhi ), Causeway and renovation of Sanctum Sanctorum was  completed in 1776 CE. The Canal also excavated to bring fresh water from the river Ravi to Amrit Sarovar.

The ceiling of the Harmandir Sahib is made with gold and precious Stones. In 1830 CE, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, covered the temple with 162 Kg of Gold worth Rs 65 lakhs after 200 years of completion of the Temple. 24 Carat Gold was used against 22 Karat Gold was used in making ornaments.  Back in 90s, the temple was renovated with 500 KG of Gold worth more than 150 crores.

The worst destruction of the temple, property and lives occurred during operation blue Star, in which Indian military took action against the Sikh Militants and to evacuate the Sikh Militants headed by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale  and his followers from the Harmandir Sahib Complex. Indian Government claims that Bhindranwale and his followers used the temple complex as armoury and Militant Headquarters.  When the negotiations failed, Indian Army moved to Temple complex on 3^rd June 1984. The fighting started on 05^th June 1984 and continued for 3 days and ends on 08^th June 1984, resulting a causality of 83 dead and 249 injured. The actual figures may be much more. 

LEGENDS

The Harmandir Sahib is built at a level lower than the surrounding ground level. The Gurdwara 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.

The stairs that enter the temple go downwards. This is designed in this way to symbolise the humble way of living.

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POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

The Gregorian Calendar Year is divided in to 12 Punjabi Calendar Months. The temple activities starts around 02.00 to 03.00 hrs early morning and ends around 22 to 23 hrs night, depends on the month and season. Holy reading of Rehras Sahib starts after sun set every day.

Gurpurbs.. these are the days associated with the lives of Gurus such as, First installation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in Golden temple by Guru Arjan Dev, Birth day of Guru Nanak ( November ), Birth Day of Guru Gobind Singh, Martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev, Martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, Martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas, the sons of Guru Gobind Singh.

Vaisakhi... Guru Amar Das First institutionalized this as one of the special day to receive Guru’s blessings in the year 1567 CE. This is celebrated on March 14^th.

Bandi Chhor Divasi.. 1619 CE, on this day the Golden Temple will be illuminated with lights to welcome home and celebrate the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment in Gwalior Fort.

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Kirtan on this day to commemorate the martyrdom of the Forty immortals.

Hola Mohalla... On March 17^th, an annual festival of thousand will be held at Anandpur Sahib.  It was started by Guru Gobind Singh as a gathering of Sikhs for military exercises and mock battles on the day following the Indian festival Holi,

Sangrand.. This is the day when the Sun passes from one sign of the Zodiac to the next. Beginning of new month is announced by reading a portion Bara Maha. 

CONTACT DETAILS

Web site: https://www.goldentempleamritsar.org/

HOW TO REACH

Amritsar is the Capital of Punjab, well connected with Road, Rail and Air. Free bus service is available from Railway Station and Central Bus stand for the Devotees.

2 KM from Amritsar Bus Stand and 3.6 KM from Amritsar Railway Station.

Amritsar is 470 KM from New Delhi, 1731 KM from Mumbai, 2000 KM from Kolkatta and 2649 KM from Chennai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :        CLICK HERE

 Front of Golden temple complex - construction (complete with marble)  in progress

 Amrit sarovar with guard

Ber tree

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Colour fishes in the Amrit Sarovar 

Free Hygiene food ( PC - Web Site )

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--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---