History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, World’s Biggest Langar, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
The Golden Temple or Sri Harmandir Sahib or Dabar Sahib located in heart of Amritsar is the holiest place for Sikhism and centre of Humanity, peace and equality. Golden Temple Amritsar is one of the top tourist destination of India where thousands of devotee and tourist across the world visits throughout the year.
It is believed that the place where Golden Temple built was dense forest and favourite place of saint for meditation. As per the historical records found, Lord Buddha, Guru Nanakji and lots of other great saint had visited here and performed deep meditation.
As the place surrounded by current Golden temple is believed to be highly sacred and important in terms of meditation and peace, 3rd Sikh Guru Sri Amar Dassji had advised to the fourth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Ram Dassji. Thus, Sri Ram Dasji had started digging of Amrit Sarovar – Sacred Tank here at Sri Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple in year of 1577. This was completed by fifth Sikh Guru Sri Arjan Devji in year if 1588. Also Sri Arjan Devji had started construction of Sri Harmandir Sahib and completed basic structure in year of 1604. 16th August 1604 was very important day as Sri Guru Granth Sahib, sacred scripture of Sikhism placed here in Harmandir Sahib. The literal meaning of Harmandir is temple of Hari and here Amrit Sarovar represent the Milk Ocean of Later on further renovation and expansion happen over the period and by various Sikh Guru and ruler. The overall idea behind Golden temple is to create central place of worship for Sikhs and also designed architecture himself. Baba Budhaji had also supervised that and was appointed its first Head Priest or Granthi.
The Golden Temple Amritsar has a unique Sikh architecture which showcase the harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction work and considered as one of the best architectural specimens of the world.
The Golden Temple was built on a 67ft. square platform in the mid of the sacred sarovar. The temple sanctum of 40.5ft. square with four door in each direction which represent every people are welcomed here in Golden Temple. The Darshani Deori stands at the shore end of the walkway where artistically decorated doors open at bridge that leads to the main building of Sri Harmandir Sahib. Along with Harmandir Sahib, there are several other major complex white-marble Akal Takht, administration centre, politics, and justice for Sikhs etc. located in temple campus.
13 feet wide ‘Pardakshna’ of the main shrine is connected with bridge and it leads to the ‘Har ki Paure’ on the first floor where continuous recitation of Guru Granth Sahib held. The temple has been renovated several times, adding features such as the marble inlays along the floor. One of the important one is, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, great ruler of Punjab and the founder of the Sikh Empire in India had contributed in the temple's upper floors to cover with pure gold.
Another important part which you must not miss is the Langar or Community Kitchen or Guru ka Langar of Golden Temple Amritsar. The tradition of serving langar, serving free food to everyone was Initiated by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and then established by the 3rd Guru Sri Guru Amar Dass Ji at Goindwal. All visitors, irrespective of wealthy or poor, are treated as same and invited to a free meal at the temple kitchen where all sit together on the floor as equals. Every day around 100,000 people takes meal here in Golden temple, one of the biggest Langar across all the Gurudwara of world. Here all person including man, women and children takes volunteer task in service for mankind. Women play an vital role in the preparation of meals, and the children help in serving food to the pangat. During week ends and festival, more than one lakh visitors take meal here at Langar of Golden temple Amritsar.
As millions of devotee and tourist across the world visits Golden Temple Amritsar throughout the year, thus lots of facilities has been developed in city. You can find best accommodation, restaurants, transport service etc. in Amritsar Punjab.
How to reach Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib is the main attraction of Amritsar Punjab and located in heart of city. Thus it is easily accessible by public or private vehicle from Railway Station and Airport. Amritsar being one of the major pilgrimage and tourist center along with important district and city of Punjab, it is very well connected with all major cities of Punjab via road, rail and air network. Thousands of tourist across the world visits here throughout the year which makes Amritsar more convenient in terms of travel, accommodation and other services. Amritsar has major railway junction from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport is the located at just 11 km from Amritsar from where you can find flight to almost every region of world. Amritsar is located at 140 km from Ludhiyana, 226 km from Chandigarh, 300 km from Shimla, 450 km from Delhi, 276 km from Vaishnodevi, 82 km from Jalandhar, 235 km from Patiala and 189 km from Bhatinda.
