Golden Temple
Holiest shrine of Sikhism, symbolizing equality and open worship.
via Wikipedia: Sikh architecture · see source
The Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib, is a gurdwara located in Amritsar, Punjab, India. It is the pre-eminent spiritual site of Sikhism, featuring a sanctum covered in gold leaf and a surrounding holy pool called the Amrit Sarovar. The complex includes the Akal Takht, one of the five seats of authority in Sikhism, and serves as a major center of religious authority and worship.
- location
- Amritsar, Punjab, India
- religious_affiliation
- Sikhism
- known_for
- Holiest site of Sikhism, gold-leaf-covered sanctum, langar (free community kitch
Lore & Background
The pool on the site was completed by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das, who constructed the tank of Amritsar (Amrit Sarovar). The gurdwara was repeatedly rebuilt after being destroyed by Mughal and Afghan armies.
Reader's Guide
The Golden Temple is spiritually the most significant shrine in Sikhism. The complex was rebuilt after the attack. The temple is an open house of worship for all people, with four entrances symbolizing Sikh belief in equality and welcome for all castes and faiths.
Did You Know?
- The original building constructed under Guru Arjan was blown up by invading Afghans in 1762.
- The Darbar Sahib was reconstructed under Jassa Singh Ahluwalia in 1765 after it was destroyed.
- The Darshani Deori of the site was built in 1776 and the parkarma in 1784.
- The site was renovated with gold-plated copper-sheets and marble starting in 1803 under Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
- The current gold and marble construction dates to the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (renovated between 1802 and 1839).
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