Golden Temple

Golden Temple or Sri Harimandir Sahib is the holiest Sikh shrine in the Amritsar city of Punjab. The gurdwara symbolizes brotherhood and equality. Thus, people of all faiths and religious backgrounds visit this shrine to experience its solace and to worship. Golden Temple beautifully pictures the glory and heritage of the Sikhs.

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History

The first Harmandir Sahib was constructed in 1604 by Guru Arjan, the fifth Sikh Guru. The foundation of this gurdwara was laid by Mian Mīr, a Muslim saint of Lahore on being requested by Guru Arjan. The move signified that Sikh religion welcomes all and supports brotherhood. After the inauguration of the shrine, the pool around it was filled with water. Guru Arjan built this shrine on the lower level with gates on all four sides symbolizing that the gurdwara is open to all without any distinction of Caste, creed, sex and religion.

Architecture

Golden Temple stands on a 67ft. square platform in the middle of a Sarovar(tank). The temple covers an area of 40.5ft. sq. You can enter into the main shrine through any of the four doors on each direction. The Darshani Deori (an arch), rising to a height of 10ft, can be seen standing at the shore end. The door panels are adorned with beautiful architectural designs and lead to the main complex of Sri Harmandir Sahib. Golden Temple is 202 feet in length and 21 feet in width with three storeys. On the top of the shrine stands a ‘Gumbaz’(dome) plated with gold. Visit here to sit for some time and soak yourself in its serene vibes while listening to the holy chants. Evening hours are considered as best time to explore its beauty when it shines like a shimmering star, reflecting on the water of the Sarovar around it.

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