Information of Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), Amritsar, Punjab

The Golden Temple is named officially named as the Harmandir Sahib meaning .The temple of god. It is located in the city of Amritsar in the Indian state of Punjab. It is a Sikh Gurudwar and for the people following Sikhism. The Gurudwara was built by Guru Ramdaas Sahib, the fourth Sikh Guru in the 16th century. The constructed began in December 1585 and was completed in 1604.

Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) Religious Significance

The Gurudwara is open to people from all sect, religion and cast. Around 100,000 people visit the Gurudwara daily. The main festival is the Vaishaki which falls during the month of April every year. Everyday food in offered to devotees in large numbers. As per the tradition any visitor is supposed to cover ones head with a white cloth while offering his prayers to the Guru.

Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) Mythology

The Harmandir Sahib is mainly constructed as a scared temple where devotee can visit and offer their prayers to the divine Lord. People from all religions are allowed to enter the temple and worship God.

The temple gained its life from a tank that was dug out by Guru Ram Das and named it Amritsar, the pool of elixir of life. As time passed a centre for worship for the Sikh came up and was called "the abode of God". Its houses the most sacred book of the Sikhs Adi Granth. The Adi Granth comprises of the teachings of saint like Kabir. The four entrances in the temple signifies the openness of the temple to people from all religions.

The plan for the construction of the temple was carried out from era of the second Sikh Guru. The foundation stone was laid by the designer of the temple, Guru Arjan Sahib in 1588 and the completion of the temple took place in 1604.

Later during the 18th century the temple was attacked by the Afgans but was restored back in 1760s. However the Afghan were defeated by the Sikh Army. The temple is vulnerable because the city of Amritsar is located very close to the India Pakistan Boarder.

Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) Architectural Significance

The temple is designed by Guru Arjan Sahib, the fifth Sikh Guru. The temple is built in the tradition Sikh architecture of Gurudwaras. The Harmandir Sahib is built surrounding the sacred tank of Amritsar known as the Sarovar. The tank is fed by River Ravi. The Gurudwara is built on a land lower than the adjoining lands, so the shrine can be reached by a few flights of stairs going down. The Gurudwar has four entrances and the the interior of the structure is decorated with masterpieces of the Sikh Gurus and saints. It also holds inscriptions of matyrs who sacrificed their lives during the world war. No idol is placed in the sanctum sanctorum as followed by the Sikhs. The Adi Granth or the sacred book of the Sikhs is placed in the middle.

The Harmandir Sahib is decorated beautifully in the inside. The ceiling is made up of gold and silver in intricate north Indian designs. The work of art is also made using marble. The Darshan Deorhi Arch in the temple measures 62 meters high and 6 meters wide. Most parts o to the outside is made up of gold hence the name Golden Temple. It has five spines one a bigger dome like in the middele while the smaller four spines surround it in the four corners. The temple stands magnificently in gold on the Sarovar.