Shri Harmandir Sahib - The Golden Temple

The Golden Temple or shri Harmandir Sahib or Shri Darbar Sahib is one of the most holiest and sacred pilgrimage center for Sikhs community is located at Amritsar in Indian state of Punjab .This Gurudwara (common name for Sikh’s religious centers) is open for people from all religions, from all backgrounds and from all faith as Sikhism philosophy believes in the ideal of equality among all.

A Sikh man worshiping the Golden Temple 

It is said that the temple was founded by Sikh’s fifth Guru of Arjan dev on the land allocated by Mughal emperor Akbar and it was later destroyed by another Mughal king Ahmed shah in year 1761. It was then under the reign of Great king Ranjit Singh whole temple was renovated and temple dome was gilded in 750 kg of Gold and hence it got the name The Golden Temple.

Again it witnesses a major reconstruction in year 1984 in which a large area of the surrounding complex was destroyed due to the operation Blue Star launched by Indian Army inside the temple premises in order to kill Bhindrawala, leader of revolutionary group Khalistaan. This operation also led to revenge killing of then prime minister Indira Gandhi which followed by communal riots against Sikhs community residing in whole India.

Ariel view of The Golden Temple  (source)

I along with my two friends Jaswinder & Praveen reached near the Golden temple complex at evening. The temple complex is surrounded by a large market with numerous shops selling souvenirs   mostly related to the Sikh religion. You can also find many average to luxurious hotels to stay near the temple complex itself. You could also stay at free dormitories provided by the Gurudwara trust but they are mostly fully packed and overpopulated. So it’s better option to find any cheap hotels outside the premises.

We checked into a nearby hotel and planned to visit the shrine at tomorrow early morning as we do not wanted to visit the sacred place with dirty clothes and tired body. But on Jaswinder’s insistence we went there at night itself just to view it at night (but didn’t went   inside the main religious sanctum) . Jaswinder who himself belongs to Sikh religion already came here earlier 2-3 times thus acted as our guide in Amritsar.

The Golden Temple at night

At night the aura and glory of the temple is no less enchanting than the morning itself. It is beautifully lit up at night. It’s seems like whole darkness is fades away by the golden light rays illuminates from the golden building and reflects everywhere on the dark waters of the sacred pool surrounding it.

The Golden Temple at morning

The main Golden Temple complex is situated at the middle of the huge sacred pool of water also known as Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar) which in turn surrounded by the magnificent architected white  building complexes along with marbled walkways adjoining them where  the devotees just sits or strolls around and taking pilgrimage revolutions around the main sanctum.

way to main sanctum

Surrounding buildings

There is a causeway connects the golden temple from one side of the marbled walkway. A lot of devotees also take holy bath in sacred pool which believed to be very auspicious. The whole atmosphere is transfused with the peace and tranquility. In the main sanctum on a jewel-studded platform, lies the Adi-Grantha, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs.

The hums chanted by the priests over speakers, the reflection of the golden dome in the pool, the relaxing walkways and the sanctum where you humbly bends down on your knees to pray for the blessings of the Holy Guru or Supreme Teacher. These whole simultaneous set of events truly connects you directly to the supreme God. No matter from which religion you belongs, you will definitely finds your God here or even may be for few moments you will find yourself. Approximately 30-40% of the pilgrims that came here were belongs to different religions.

I’m always intrigued by the Sikhism, their philosophies and a heartily respect for their principals of equality. Their devotion & serving the humanity with free food without discriminating and everybody whether rich or poor, Hindu or Muslim , white or black all have to sit down together on a lined carpet to eat their meals at Sikh’s community mega kitchens commonly known as Langar. It is estimated that here approximately one lakh meals has been prepared for devotees everyday and that’s all for absolutely free. In addition to the delicious taste of the food you could also ask for more and that’s too without spending any penny.

Langar Hall

There were two Langar halls situated where thousands of devotes can have their meal at one time. And food has been served here round the clock in Langars. Isn’t it amazing! While entering in one of the hall I saw that a number of volunteers were already stood there to serve us food from the steel buckets they are holding. Even I had seen few small kids also serving water to the devotees, it was indeed an overwhelming sight. After having some wonderful veg food we handed the used steel plated to the volunteers. When I came outside the hall I was astonished by the view. I saw multiple huge towers of steel plates stacked up one on another, uncountable spoons and steel cups. I could reckon it was probably be in tens of thousands in numbers. Also I saw a large number of volunteers preparing food, peeling vegetables, washing plates, washing floors. And the most surprising fact is that most of them were no regular volunteers  as many of them includes devotees who came here and volunteer their services out of a sense of religious and social obligation. This filled me up again with immense respect for everyone these volunteers.

                                 " Bole So Nihaal, Sat Sri Akaal"

Another place to visit at Amritsar is Jallianwala Bagh which is just a five minutes walk from the Golden temple. This site is infamous for the unwarranted killings and massacre of around 1560 people in year 1919, who gathered there for peaceful assembly, by the British army who opened fired on them without any warning. It is said that that around 1650 shots were fired in a span of mere 10 minutes. The bullet marks can still be seen on the walls of the buildings at the site.

Jallianwala Bagh

Bullet marks at Jallianwala Bagh

                                          Martyr's well, Jallianwala Bagh

One more attraction at Amritsar is famous Wagah Border/Attari Border - the border crossing between India & Pakistan. There is a daily ceremony in which Indian’s Border Security Force & Pakistan’s Pakistan Rangers have a Beating Retreat march with crowds cheering on both the side. This is a must visit ceremony to attend for everyone who came to Amritsar.

Wagah Border - Indian side

Ceremony at wagah Border

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