Travel Guide to Golden Temple Amritsar
Darbar Sahib, also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple, (on account of its scenic beauty and golden coating for English speaking world), is named after Hari (God) the temple of God. The all over the world, daily wish to pay visit to Sri Amritsar and to pay obeisance at in their Ardas.
, the Fifth Nanak, conceived the idea of creating a central place of worship for the and he himself designed the architecture of . Earlier the planning to excavate the holy tank (Amritsar or Amrit Sarovar) was chalked out by , the Third Nanak, but it was executed by under the supervision of Baba Budha ji. The land for the site was acquired by the earlier Guru Sahibs on payment or free of cost from the Zamindars (landlords) of native villages. The plan to establish a town settlement was also made. Therefore, the construction work on the (the tank) and the town started simultaneously in 1570. The work on both projects completed in 1577 A.D.
The land for the site was bought by the on payment from the Zamindars (landlords) of native villages.
got its foundation laid by a muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir ji of Lahore on 1st of Magh, 1645 Bikrmi Samvat (December, 1588). The construction work was directly supervised by himself and he was assisted by the prominent personalities like Baba Budha ji, Bhai Gurdas ji, Bhai Sahlo ji and many other devoted .
Unlike erecting the structure on the higher level, got it built on the lower level and Guru Sahib got it open from four sides. Thus he created a symbol of new faith, . Guru Sahib made it accessible to every person without any distinction of Caste, creed, sex and religion.
The building work completed in 1601 A.D. on Bhadoon Sudi 1st, 1661 Bikrmi Samvat (August/September,1604). installed newly created , in and appointed Baba Budha ji as its first Granthi i.e. the reader of . After this event it attained the status of ‘Ath Sath Tirath’. Now the Nation had their own Tirath, a pilgrimage center.
, is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of the (tank). The temple itself is 40.5ft. square. It has a door each on the East, West, North and South. The Darshani Deori (an arch) stands at the shore end of the causeway. The door frame of the arch is about 10ft in height and 8ft 6inches in breath. The door panes are decorated with artistic style. It opens on to the causeway or bridge that leads to the main building of . It is 202 feet in length and 21 feet in width.
The bridge is connected with the 13 feet wide ‘Pardakshna’ (circumambulatory path). It runs round the main shrine and it leads to the ‘Har ki Paure’ (steps of God). On the first floor of "Har Ki Pauri", there is continuous reading of .
The main structure of , functionally as well as technically is a three-storied one. The front, which faces the bridge, is decorated with repeated cusped arches and the roof of the first floor is at the height of the 26 feet and 9 inches.
At the top of the first floor 4 feet high parapet rises on all the sides which has also four ‘Mamtees’ on the four corners and exactly on the top of the central hall of the main sanctuary rises the third story. It is a small square room and have three gates. A regular recitation of is also held there.
On the top of this room stands the low fluted ‘Gumbaz’ (dome) having lotus petal motif in relief at the base inverted lotus at the top which supports the "Kalash" having a beautiful "Chhatri" at the end.
Its architecture considered the best architectural specimens of the world. It is often quoted that this architecture has created an independent school of architecture in the history of art in India.
Foundation by : The foundation of was laid by , the fourth Guru, in 1577. The site chosen for the temple was in the midst of a small lake, which was later expanded to become the Amrit (Pool of Nectar). initiated the excavation of the and the construction of the complex.
Construction by : The construction of the itself was overseen by , the fifth Guru, and was completed in 1604. also compiled the , the holy scripture of , and installed it in . This act solidified the 's significance as the central place of worship for .
Architectural Features: The is built on a lower level, accessible via a flight of steps, surrounded by the Amrit . It has four entrances, symbolizing the openness of to people of all castes and backgrounds.
Spiritual Significance: is considered the holiest shrine in . It is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of values such as equality, service, and community. The central shrine, Darbar Sahib, is adorned with gold plating, giving rise to the popular name "Golden Temple."
Over the centuries, has witnessed several significant historical events.
The early 17th century saw some Mughal emperors like Jahangir appreciate the growing center.
However, later Mughal rulers like Aurangzeb viewed as a threat and targeted the .was damaged multiple times during Afghan invasions in the 18th century.
One of the most tragic incidents was the Operation Blue Star in June 1984. The Indian Army conducted a military operation to flush out militants who had fortified themselves inside the complex. The operation resulted in significant damage to the and loss of lives, including civilians.
After attacks, the community rebuilt each time.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Empire in the early 19th century, played a pivotal role in the 's beautification.
The upper part of the was adorned with a gold foil-covered copper dome during his reign, giving it the name "Golden Temple."
Amritsar became a center of power and trade flourished under his rule.
Community Service: A distinctive feature of is the , or community kitchen, where free meals are served to all visitors regardless of their background. This tradition, initiated by , the founder of , symbolizes equality and hospitality.
Cultural Significance: is not only a religious symbol but also a cultural icon of Punjab and India. Its architectural beauty, spiritual aura, and historical significance attract millions of visitors from around the world each year.
