The Golden Temple Amritsar also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib Amritsar, Sri Darbar Sahib and in punjabi ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ, holiest Gurdwara of Sikhism, located in city of Amritsar, Punjab in India. Sri Darbar Sahib is not only a central religious place of Sikhs, but also a sign of human brotherhood & equality. It also represents distinct identity, glory & heritage of the Sikhs.
Golden Temple is the Amritsar was founded in 1574 by the 4th Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das. The 5th Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan, designed Harmandir Sahib to be built in center of this holy tank, & upon its construction, installed the Adi Granth, holy scripture of Sikhism, inside Harmandir Sahib. Harmandir Sahib complex is also home to Akal Takht. While Harmandir Sahib is regarded as abode of the God’s spiritual attribute, Akal Takht is seat of God’s temporal authority.
The construction of the Harmandir Sahib was intended to build a place of worship for men & women from all walks of life, all religions to come and worship God equally. Accordingly, as a gesture of this non-sectarian universalness of the Sikhism, Guru Arjan had specially invited Muslim Sufi Saint, the Sai Mian Mir to lay the foundation stone of Harmandir Sahib.
Four entrances to get into Harmandir Sahib also symbolize the openness of Sikhs towards all people and religions. Over 100,000 Tourist visit the holy shrine daily for worship, also partake jointly in the free community kitchen and Langar regardless of any distinctions, tradition that is a the hallmark of all Sikh Gurudwaras.
Present-day The gurdwara was rebuilt in 1764 by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia with help of other Sikh Misls. In the early 19th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh secured Punjab region from outside attack & covered upper floors of gurdwara with gold, which gives it’s distinctive appearance & its English name.
Harmandir Sahib literally means Temple of God. Guru Amar Das had ordered Guru Ram Das to built a nectarous tank as a place for worship for Sikh religion. Guru Ram Das instructed all his the Sikhs to join in work, under Bhai Budha’s superintendence, engaged labourers to assist them. He said that tank of nectar should be the God’s home, and whoever bathed in it shall obtain all the spiritual and temporal advantages. During progress of work, hut in which the Guru first sheltered himself was expanded for his the residence; it is now known as Guru’s Mahal, or palace.
In 1578 CE the Guru Ram Das excavated a tank, which subsequently became known as the Amritsar, giving its name to city that grew around it. In due course, Harmandir Sahib, was built in middle of this tank and became supreme centre of the Sikhism. Its sanctum came to house Adi Granth comprising compositions of the Sikh Gurus and other saints considered to have the Sikh values and philosophies, like, Baba Farid, and Kabir. compilation of Adi Granth was started by the 5th guru of Sikhism, Guru Arjan.
Golden Temple Amritsar The Golden Temple Amritsar also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib Amritsar, Sri Darbar Sahib and in punjabi ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ, holiest Gurdwara of Sikhism, located in city of Amritsar, Punjab in India.