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 of Yatra to Kailash and Chardham (Yamunothri, Gangotri, 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 the holiest place for Sikhs. The holiest text of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib is always recited in this Harmandir Sahib. On the second floor all the Sikhs used to read the most sacred 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 ) join at one point from where a path leads to Harmandir Sahib. The Harmandir Sahib was built on a 67 ft square platform, in the center 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 onto the causeway or bridge that leads to the main building. The bridge measures 202 feet in length and 21 feet wide and connects 13 13-foot wide parikrama / pradakshina / Circumambulatory path with the main temple / building Harmandir Sahib. The only gate served as an entrance and exit. It runs around the main shrine and leads to the “Har Ki Paure ( steps of God )”. On the first floor of Har Ki Paure”, there is a continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib.

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

Causeway

The Harmandir building is 3 storeyed.  The front, which faces the bridge, is decorated with repeated cusped arches and the roof of the first floor is at the height of 26 feet and 9 inches. At the top of the first floor, 4 feet high parapet wall rises on all 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 has three gates. A regular recitation of Guru Granth Sahib is also held there.

 On the second floor  of the Golden Temple, the central dome 

On the top of this room stands the low-fluted ‘Gumbaz’ / dome,  having a 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 a combination of Hindu and Muslim construction work and is considered the best Sikh architecture. This created an independent Sikh School of Architecture in the History of architecture world.

 Mural - old paintings on the ceiling - stairway to the second floor

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HISTORY

This Golden temple has a long history since the 16^th Century.  The Golden Temple and Punjab were on the passage of Muslim invaders into India, the Sikhs faced many challenges, which included loss of property and lives, which are etched in the memories of Sikhs, and may continue for centuries. Golden Temple was viewed as a main target by the Mughal rulers and Afghan Sultans. Thanks to Golden Temple and Wikipedia websites 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 Started the excavation of Sarovar ( Holy Tank ) and construction of Harmandir Sahib in 1574 - 1577 CE. The construction of Sarovar and the Town is believed to have started simultaneously in the year 1570 and was 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 prominent Sikh personalities like Baba Budha, Bhai Gurdas, Bhai Sahli, and many other devoted Sikhs.

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

The building work was 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 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, the Mughal Governor posted Masse Khan as Police Commissioner and ordered to capture of Mani Singh the custodian of the Harmandir Sahib. Masse Khan converted it for entertainment. Later 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 revenge for the death of his brother. In 1749 CE the Sikhs were restored back when Muin Ul-Malik slackened Mughal operations against Sikhs since He required support for his operations in Multan.

In 1757, Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali attacked Amritsar and the Golden Temple. He filled the tank with 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 the Golden Temple was destroyed with gunpowder. Sikhs returned back and celebrated  Diwali. In 1764, Baba Jassa Singh Ahluwalia rebuilt the temple with the funds collected from the public. A New main gateway ( Darshan Deorhi ), Causeway, and renovation of Sanctum Sanctorum were completed in 1776 CE. The Canal was 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 the 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 the 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 an armory and Militant Headquarters.  When the negotiations failed, the Indian Army moved to the Temple complex on 3^rd June 1984. The fighting started on 05^th June 1984 continued for 3 days and ended 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 symbolize the humble way of living.

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POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

The Gregorian Calendar Year is divided into 12 Punjabi Calendar Months. The temple activities start around 02.00 to 03.00 hrs early morning and end around 22 to 23 hrs a night, depending on the month and season. Holy reading of Rehras Sahib starts after sunset every day.

Gurpurbs.. these are the days associated with the lives of Gurus such as the first installation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in the Golden Temple by Guru Arjan Dev, the Birthday of Guru Nanak ( November ), the 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 days 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 thousands 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. The beginning of the new month is announced by reading a portion of Bara Maha. 

CONTACT DETAILS

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

HOW TO REACH

Amritsar is the Capital of Punjab, well connected by Road, Rail, and Air. Free bus service is available from the  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 ---