Prepared By, Priyal L. Jain F.Y.

MBA A- 111 1022

It is also known as HARMANDIR SAHIB , HARI MANDIR & SIKHISM .

FEATURES
Name : Golden Temple of Amritsar  Location : Punjab (India)  Faith : Sikhism  Category : Temple  Date : 1574-1601  Features : Holiest  Status : Active  Opening Hours : Summer 7:30am to 7:30pm Winter 8:00am to 7:00 pm


HISTORY
 The Golden Temple in Amritsar , Punjab , is the holiest shrine in Sikhism .  It was officially renamed Harmandir Sahib in March 2005 .  Construction of the Golden Temple began in 1574 on land donated by the Mughal Emperor Akbar .  The building project was overseen by the 4th & 5th Sikh Gurus .  The temple was started to complete in 1601 .  The temple had to be substantially rebuilt after it was sacked in 1760s.

ATTRACTION
 Although the building itself was great historical & architectural interest.  In 19th century , 100 kg of gold were applied to the inverted Lotus shaped dome & decorative marble was added.  All this gold & marble work took place under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.  The gold plated building features copper cupolas & white marble walls encrusted with precious stones arranged in decorative Islamic-style floral patterns.  The temples architecture draws on both Hindu & Muslim artistic styles yet represents a unique co - evolution of the two.

FACTS
 The temple or Gurdwara is a major pilgrimage destination for Sikhs from all over the world , as well as an increasingly popular tourist attraction.  In a country that is exceptionally rich with vibrant devotion , frommers rates the Golden Temple the most tangibly spiritual place in the country.  Many people in Amritsar are still anxious to explain the Sikh side of the story to visitors .  The fascinating scene inside the Hari Mandir is televised throughout India for Sikh viewers.

UNFORGETTABLE INCIDENT
In June 1984 , Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered an attack on armed Sikh militants holed up in the Golden Temple . Over 500 people were killed in the ensuing firefight , & Sikhs around the world were outraged at the desecration of their holiest site . Four months after the attack , Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards , leading to a massacre followed in which thousands of Sikhs lost their lives . The Sikh community refused to allow the central gov. to repair the damage to the temple , instead undertaking the work themselves . Although most of the damaged been repaired , the incident has not been forgotten .

ABOUT VISITORS

Despite its great sacred status , the golden temple is open to visitors , like all Sikh temples . The only restrictions are that visitors must not drink alcohol , eat meat or smoke in the shrine . Visitors must leave shoes , cover head & wash feet.

Most visitors to the Golden Temple , whether Sikh or not , are humbled by what is quite simply the most tangibly spiritual place in the country . Arrive with a few good hours set aside & get lost in its magical beauty.

1.Hari 1.Hari Mandir 2.Amrit Sarovar 2.Amrit 3.Gurus Bridge 3.Gurus 4.Gateway 4.Gateway 5.Palki Sahib 5.Palki 6.Guest Quarters 6.Guest 7.Sikh Museum 7.Sikh 8.Guru-ka-langar 8.Guru-ka-

The most famous & sacred part of the Golden Temple is the Hari mandir (Divine Temple) or Darbar Sahib (Court of the Lord ) , which is the beautiful golden structure at the center of a large body of water. water.

1 . HARI MANDIR

The water that surrounds the Hari Mandir is a sacred pool known as the Amrit Sarovar ( pool of Nectar ) . The temple is reached by following the Parikrama , which circumscribes the sacred pool in a clockwise direction .

2 . AMRIT SAROVAR

Connecting the pathway with the Hari Mandir is a marble causeway called the Gurus Bridge , which symbolizes the journey of the soul after death .

3 . GURUS BRIDGE

The gateway to the bridge , the Darshani Deorhi , has magnificent silver doors .

4 . GATEWAY

Amidst a crowd of fervent & solemn devotees , scriptures from the Holy Book are sung beneath a canopy studded with jewels . Called the Palki Sahib , this nightly ceremony provides a chance for all male pilgrims & visitors to actively participate in the veneration of the Holy Book . The ceremony usually takes place at 11pm in summer at 9:30pm in winter .

5 . PALKI SAHIB

6 . GUEST QUARTERS

7 . SIKH MUSEUM

Another major highlight of the Golden Temple Complex is the Guru-ka-Langar . Langar is the term used in the Sikh religion for free good , served in a Gurdwara. The tradition of serving langar initiated by Guru Nanak Dev Ji & then established by the 3rd Guru Sri Guru Amar Dass Ji at Goindwal . In the Golden Temple Community Kitchen at an average 50000 devotes or tourists take langer the community kitchen daily .

8 . GURU-KA-LANGAR

QUESTIONS