Golden Temple, Amritsar, India

India Trip, originally uploaded by sunpreet28.

The Less I say is Better. I don't want to write anything wrong about this holy place, so here is the description.

The Harmandir Sahib [1](Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib[2] (Punjabi: ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ), informally reffered to as The Golden Temple,[3] is culturally the most significant shrine of the Sikhs and one of the oldest Sikh gurudwara. It is located in the city of Amritsar, which was established by Guru Ram Das, the fourth guru of the Sikhs and is known as "guru di nagri" meaning city of the Sikh Guru.

Harmandir Sahib
Building information
Town Amritsar
Country India
Architect Guru Arjan Dev
Client Guru Arjan Dev & Sikhs
Construction start date December 1585 AD
Completion date August 1604 AD
Style Sikh architecture
Part of a series on
Sikhism

Scripture
Guru Granth Sahib
Adi Granth · Dasam Granth
Introduction

[edit] General
The Harmandir Sahib is considered holy by Sikhs because the eternal Guru of Sikhism, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, is always present inside in it and its construction was mainly intended to build a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religion to come and worship God equally. [4][5] The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the holiest literature in the Sikh religion [6], the tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh on 7th October 1708 made it the eternal Sikh Guru and the leader of Sikhism. [7] Anywhere in the world where the Guru Granth Sahib is present is equally holy and precious to Sikhs. Amritsar is the location of Harmandir Sahib.


[edit] History
Its name literally meaning, House of God. The fourth Guru of Sikhism, [Guru Ram Das], excavated a tank in 1577 AD which subsequently became known as Amritsar (meaning: Pool of the Nectar of Immortality) [8], giving its name to the city that grew around it. In due course, a splendid Sikh edifice, Harmandir Sahib (meaning: The abode of God) [9], rose in the middle of this tank and became the supreme centre of Sikhism. Its sanctum came to house the Adi Granth comprising compositions of Sikhi Gurus and other saints considered to have Sikh values and philosophies e.g. Baba Farid, Kabir, etc. The compilation of the Adi Granth was started by the fifth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev.


[edit] The Amritsar area
Amritsar is located in the Majha region of the Punjab. Majha is also known as the Bari Doab, since it is the Doab (Do = two, ab = rivers) or the (fluvial) tract of land which lies between two of the five great rivers of the province, the Ravi and the Beas. As such, Majha lies in the heart of the ancient Punjab region, comprised of Gurdaspur, Batala and Tarn Taran Sahib as well as Amritsar.


[edit] Construction of the Harmandir Sahib

The Harmandir Sahib at nightOriginally built during 1574 AD, the site of the temple was surrounded by a small lake in a thin forest. The third of the six grand Mughals, emperor Akbar, who visited the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das, at the neighbouring town of Goindval was so impressed by the way of life in the town that he gave a jagir (the land and the revenues of several villages in the vicinity) to the Guru's daughter Bhani as a gift on her marriage to Bhai Jetha, who later became the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das. Guru Ram Das enlarged the lake and built a small township around it. The town was named after Guru Ram Das as "Guru Ka Chak", "Chak Ram Das" or "Ram Das Pura".

During the leadership of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1581-1606), the full-fledged Temple was built. In December 1588 the great Muslim Sufi saint of Lahore, Hazrat Mian Mir, who was a close friend of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, initiated the construction of the temple by laying the first foundation stone (December 1588 AD).[10][11] A mason then straightened the stone but Guru Arjan Dev told him that, as he had undone the work just completed by the holy man, a disaster might come to the Harmandir Sahib. It was later attacked by the Mughals.

The temple was completed in 1604. Guru Arjan Dev, installed the Guru Granth Sahib in it and appointed Baba Buddha Ji as the first Granthi (Reader) of it on August 1604 AD. In the mid 18th century it was attacked by the Afghans, by one of Ahmed Shah Abdali's Generals, Jahan Khan, and had to be substantially rebuilt in the 1760s. However, in response a Sikh Army was sent to hunt down the Afghan force. They were under orders to show no mercy and historical evidence suggests none was shown. Both forces met each other 5 miles outside Amritsar; Jahan Khan's army was destroyed.[12] He himself was decapitated by commander Sardar Dayal Singh.[13]


[edit] The Harmandir Sahib Complex and areas in its vicinity

The Map of the Harmandir SahibThe temple is surrounded by a large lake of water, known as the Sarovar which consists of Amrit (Holy Water or Immortal Nectar). There are four entrances to the temple, signifying the importance of acceptance and openness; ostensibly, this concept is reminiscent of the tent of Abraham in the Old Testament -- his tent was open on all four sides in order to be able to welcome travelers from all directions. Inside the temple complex there are many shrines to past Sikh Gurus, Saints and martyrs (see map). There are three holy trees (Bers) each signifiying a historical event or Sikh saint. Inside the temple there many memorial plaques that commemorate past Sikh historical events, saints, martyrs and includes commemorative inscriptions of all the Sikh soldiers who died fighting in World wars one and two. For a new visitor the first recommended place to visit is the information Office highlighted in the map and followed by visiting the Sikh Central museum near the main entrance and clock tower. Anyone who wants to enter the Harmandir Sahib may do so, irrespective of religion, colour, creed or sex. The only restrictions are that the person must not drink alcohol, eat meat or smoke cigarettes or other drugs while in the shrine. Visitors are, as well, expected to dress appropriately and everyone must cover their heads as a sign of respect, remove their shoes and wash their feet in the small pool of water as they enter the Harmandir Sahib premises. Head scarves are provided. All Sikh temples (Gurdwaras) in the world follow this traditional rule that everyone is welcome to enter. There are four doors to get into the Harmandir Sahib, meaning that Harmandir sahib is open to anyone.


The East entrance gate to Harmandir Sahib (see map)In 1988, after Operation Black Thunder, a narrow peripheral strip of land (including buildings) was acquired by the government essentially to create a security belt. A large number of people were displaced and rehabilitated in the process.


Wideview of Harmandir SahibHowever, the project met with a strong resistance from the moderate as well as militant Sikh organisations and the project had to be abandoned, after a senior Government engineer, connected with the project, was killed. The project was revived only in 1993 by the Deputy Commissioner Karan Bir Singh Sidhu, who was also appointed as the Project Director of what was popularly described as the Galliara Project. He changed the concept of the periphery from that of a security belt to that of a second parikarma and created a serene landscape that was fully consistent with the ethereal beauty of the Harmandir Sahib. This was done in quiet consultation with the SGPC. The pilgrims today can travel by foot in the Galliara; no vehicles are permitted.

[edit] Artwork and monument sculptures

North Entrance gate near Ath-sath Tirath (68 Sacred Places) (Point 15 on map)Much of the present decorative gilding and marblework dates from the early 1800s. All the gold and exquisite marble work were conducted under the patronage of Hukam Singh Chimni and Emperor Ranjit Singh, Maharaja of the Sikh Empire of the Punjab. The Darshani Deorhi Arch stands at the beginning of the causeway to the Harmandir Sahib; it is 202 feet (62 m) high and 21 feet (6 m) in width. The gold plating on the Harmandir Sahib was begun by Emperor Ranjit Singh and was finished in 1830 AD. The Sher-e-Punjab (Lion of the Punjab), was a heavy donor of wealth and materials for the shrine and is remembered with much affection by the Punjabi people in general and the Sikh community in particular. Maharaja Ranjit Singh also built two of the other most sacred temples in Sikhism. This was due to Maharaja Ranjit Singh having a deep love for the tenth Guru of Sikhism Guru Gobind Singh. The other two most sacred temples in Sikhism, which he built, are Takht Sri Patna Sahib (intiation or birth place of Guru Gobind Singh) and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib the place of Guru Gobind Singh's Sikh ascension into heaven.


[edit] In film and television
The Temple is one of the locations of the movie Gandhi (1982).
The Temple is one of the locations of Bride and Prejudice (2004).
The Temple is also one of the places visited by the BBCs Michael Palin for the documentary 'Himalaya' (2004).
The Temple is also in the Indian (Hindi) serial Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin (2005).
The Temple is a highlight in the Bollywood movies Rang De Basanti starring Aamir Khan (2006).
The Temple is one of the locations of Namastey London (2007).

[edit] Notable visits

The Causeway to the Harmandir Sahib (Point 10 on map)Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of the United Kingdom — October 1997
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs — John Manley —January 2002
Former Prime Minister of Canada — Jean Chrétien —October 2003
Indian President — A.P.J. Abdul Kalam —August 2004
Indian Prime Minister — Manmohan Singh —September 2004
British Foreign Secretary — Jack Straw —February 2005
Dalai Lama — Tenzin Gyatso —November 2007

[edit] Celebrations at Harmandir Sahib

The Harmandir Sahib Watch Towers (Point 17 on map)One of the most important festivals is Vaisakhi, which is celebrated in the second week of April (13th usually). Sikhs celebrate the founding of the Khalsa on this day and it is celebrated with fervour in the Harmandir Sahib. Other important Sikh religious days such as the martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur, birthday of Guru Nanak etc, are also celebrated with religious piety. Similarly Diwali is one of the festivals which sees the Harmandir Sahib beautifully illuminated with Divas/Diyas (lamps),lights and fireworks are discharged. During these special occasions 1-2 million pilgrims visit the Holy shrine named Harmandir Sahib.

Most Sikh people visit Amritsar and the Harmandir Sahib at least once during lifetime, particularly during special occasions in their life such as birthdays,marriages or birth of their children etc.


[edit] Reaching the Harmandir Sahib from abroad

Amritsar International AirportFor the global Sikh pilgrim or international tourist visitor the fastest way to reach the Harmandir Sahib is by air-travel. The holy city of Amritsar, where the Harmandir Sahib is located, has a rapidly expanding modern Airport called, Amritsar International Airport. The airport can be reached direct, by the international traveller, from most major cities of the world including, London and Toronto. Moreover, there is a rapidly expanding array of international hotels in the holy city that can be booked for overnight stays. Lonely Planet Bluelist 2008 has voted the Harmandir Sahib as one of the world’s best spiritual sites.[14]


[edit] Recent events
On July 6, 2005 the SGPC decided to install closed circuit television cameras around the Harmandir Sahib Complex and will be adding more security due to other attacks in India on other religious areas.
Latin American and Caribbean Ambassadors visit Golden Temple
London Mayor visits Golden Temple
The Dalai Lama visits Golden Temple

[edit] Operation Blue Star
Main article: Operation Blue Star

Damage to the Akal Takht from Operation Blue StarBetween June 3 and June 6, 1984, the Indian Army led by General Kuldip Singh Brar brought troops into the Harmandir Sahib to arrest Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He and some followers had taken refuge in the Harmandir Sahib, and resisted the police who sought to arrest him for suspected acts of terrorism.

By 1983, the Harmandir Sahib became a shelter for a large number of militants. Mark Tully and Satish Jacob wrote[15]: "All ... [Bhindranwale's] terrorists were known by name to the shopkeepers and the householders who live in the narrow alleys surrounding the Golden Temple ... The Punjab police must have known who they were also, but they made no attempt to arrest them. By this time Bhindranwale and his men were above the law."

The Harmandir Sahib compund and some of the surrounding houses were fortified. The Statesman reported on July 4 that light machine-guns and sophisticated self-loading rifles were known to have been brought into the compound.

Indira Gandhi ordered the army to launch Operation Blue Star.

Fierce fighting ensued between Bhindranwale's supporters and the soldiers, in which many of Bhindranwale's supporters were killed along with many soldiers. An official account tallies the deaths of 83 soldiers and 492 civilians[16]. The Harmandir Sahib complex also suffered much damage due to the fighting, especially the holy Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. x

Many Sikhs regarded the attack as a desecration of their holiest shrine, and their alienation had deep and dramatic consequences.

Sonia Gandhi in 1998 officially apologized for the assault on the holy Harmandir Sahib, as a great mistake.[17]

In 1986 the repairs performed on the holy Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, which the Rajiv Gandhi Government had undertaken without consultation, were removed. A new Sri Akal Takhat Sahib was completed in 1999 by Kar Seva (free pilgrim service & work). x