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Amritsar is the holy city of India, nicknamed the Golden Temple. So it’s only natural that Amritsar has a gold-plated temple. This temple, Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest of its kind in all of India and contains not just one but three sacred ponds. It also has an altar for fire-walking ceremonies called “The Aarti Table” and many other cultural artifacts from North India. The Harmandir Sahib is also known as “Darbar Sahib”, which means “the palace of the Lords”. The Harmandir Sahib received its name because it was said that Guru Hargobind meditated inside this temple.
About the Golden Temple
The golden temple was established in 1488 by the fourth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Ram Das . It was built on a plot of land where three separate rivers met, which is why the holy rivers’ names are all part of the name Amritsar. The buildings have been added over the years and now cover an area of 28 acres. This city within a city is also home to over 25,000 people who work to keep it beautiful and clean; many of these people live within the Sikh Temple itself.
The beauty, history and peace within the temple are more than enough to make anyone feel awe-struck, but what has been constructed around it takes it to a whole new level.
The architecture of the Golden Temple
The Harmandir Sahib has two main entrances, and there are four entrances on each side. This was done to symbolise religious equality for all people regardless of caste, creed or status. The Harmandir Sahib is designed as a pool; in its centre lies a artificial pool called “Sarovar”. The Sarovar represents the body of the Supreme Creator God, which lies at the origin of all existence. The Harmandir Sahib has three doors: One facing west towards the setting sun and One facing east towards the rising sun. The third door is northeast, facing the direction from which Guru Nanak Dev departed to set out on his journey. This door is known as “Guru ka Ghati”. The fourth door is to the south, which holds the water of the three rivers and is called “Aamna ke Ghati”. The Aamna means four. Harmandir Sahib translates as “the abode of Shiva”, where all divine melody flows in like music and peace.
A crystal bridge connects the sacred temple to an ancient building; this building was once used for Sikh martial arts training but now serves as the home of the Akal Takht, which translates into “The Throne of The Almighty”. This was where the highest religious, military tribunal would convene when justice was needed.
The area surrounding the temple is truly a work of art. It contains an elaborate garden full of trees, flowers, bubbling fountains, and decorated walkways. The garden also contains many manufactured lakes and bridges and two huge buildings dedicated to education. These buildings contain classrooms and lecture halls, and libraries filled with Indian literature and religious texts.
To the east of Harmandir Sahib stands two tall minarets connected by a beautifully decorated bridge that resembles a glittering necklace. The Sikhs who built these structures originally covered them with gold, but they were damaged beyond repair after the religious persecution.
The atmosphere inside Golden Temple, Amritsar
There is always something to see outside the temple because it is a centre of constant activity. You will find people singing, dancing, praying, or simply enjoying the fresh air at any given time.
Importance and History of The Golden Temple
The Harmandir Sahib is the most sacred place for Sikhs. It’s known as the Golden Temple of Amritsar, and it houses the takes (throne) of the Sikh Gurus. The Harmandir Sahib has a complex history, but the humblest beginning was when Guru Nanak Dev decided on the spot where he would find his new city after he arrived in Punjab from South Asia. He named the city “Amritsar”, after the well of salvation and settled there.
Conclusion
The Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, is built in the form of a pool (Sarovar) with Guru Granth Sahib resting on a high platform or throne. The Sarovar represents the body of the Supreme Creator God, which lies at the origin of all existence. Guru Gobind Ji is said to have created the “Khalsa Panth”. Guru Nanak had predicted that the day would come when his people would be tested by their faith in God.
