Golden Temple, Amritsar
One of the most spiritual places in India, the Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest shrine in all of Sikhism.
Located right in the heart of Amritsar and being easily reachable from any part of the city, the stunning golden architecture of the temple and the daily Langar (community kitchen) attract a large number of visitors and devotees each day.
The temple is open to devotees of all faiths and serves over 100,000 people free food from all walks of life.
The main Temple housing the shrine is a small part of the vast complex known as Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib to the Sikhs.
The spiritual focus is the tank, the Amrit Sarovar, which surrounds the glistening central shrine.
Around the edges of the compound, there are more shrines and monuments.
The Sikh Museum is located inside the main entrance clock tower which shows the oppression endured by the Sikhs at the hands of the Mughals, the British and the Indian Government of 1984.
The Ramgarhia Bunga is a protective fortress located at the southeast end of the tank and is surrounded by two Islamic-style minarets.
Golden Temple is indisputably one of the most exquisite attractions in the world.
###History of Golden Temple###
The land for the Golden Temple was donated by the Mughal emperor Akbar on which construction began in 1574.
The foundation was overseen by the fourth and fifth Sikh Gurus, and the construction was completed in 1601.
It has been restored and embellished continuously over the years.
In the 19th century, the inverted lotus-shaped dome was inlaid with 100 kgs of gold and decorative marble.
This took place under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who was a legendary warrior king fondly remembered by the Sikh community.
In 1984, the then Prime Minister of India, ordered an attack on the armed Sikh militants hiding inside the Golden Temple premises.
In the fight that ensued, over 500 people were killed, and Sikhs all over the world were enraged by this sacrilege of their holy site.
The Sikh community did not allow the central government to undertake the repair of the damage caused to the temple, undertaking the work themselves.
The temple has been substantially built since then, but the incident remains fresh in the memory of the locals.
###Tips For Visiting Golden Temple###
1. Remove your shoes and socks before entering the temple compound (there is sandal stand at the entrance). Wash your feet in the shallow foot baths located nearby.
2. Dress appropriately. The body must be fully covered, and you need to cover your head which is a sign of respect in the gurudwara. Scarves can be borrowed free of charge or bought from the hawkers who sell souvenir scarves for INR 10. However, it is prudent to carry a scarf with you.
3. Tobacco and alcohol are strictly prohibited.
4. If you wish to sit beside the tank, sit cross-legged and do not dip your feet in the water.
5. Photography is permitted near the walkway surrounding the tank but not inside the Golden Temple itself.
6. While listening to Gurbani, sit on the ground in the Darbar Sahib as a sign of reverence.
####How to reach Golden Temple####
The Golden Temple can be reached by local transport such as auto and cycle rickshaws which are the cheapest and most convenient mode of transportation.
It also has car rental companies from where you can hire a car and reach the temple.
The Golden Temple Trust also arranges free bus services from the Amritsar Railway Station.
Air: The Amritsar airport known as Raja Sansi International Airport is situated at a distance of 11 Km from the city. One can take taxis from there to reach the Golden temple.
Rail: Amritsar shares a very strong rail network with Delhi. Taxis and three wheelers like cycle rickshaws and e-rickshaws ferry passengers to the Golden temple.
Road: Traveling from Delhi to Amritsar by road is one of the best options since both the cities are connected with a flawless highway network.