Golden Temple: History and Architectural Evolution

The Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib, is the most significant spiritual shrine for the Sikh community. Located in Amritsar, a city in the Punjab state of India, it boasts a gleaming golden architecture that captivates people worldwide. Surrounding the temple is a sacred pool, Amrit Sarovar, which embodies the core values of the Sikh community, such as humility and unity.

In a year, millions of people come to the Golden Temple for enlightenment. A person visiting the Amritsar temple also visits many other attractive locations like Wagha Border and Jhaliawala Bagh.

History of the Golden Temple

According to Sikh historical records, the land where the Harimandir Sahib stands today was chosen by Guru Amar Das, the third Guru of the Sikh tradition. At that time, the area was called Guru Da Chakk. Guru Amar Das asked his disciple Ram Das to find land to start a new town with a man-made pool as its central point. Ram Das founded the town that came to be known as “Ramdaspur” and completed the pool with the help of Baba Buddha (not to be confused with the Buddha of Buddhism).

Over time, Ramdaspur town expanded with the help of donations and voluntary work during the time of Guru Arjan. It eventually grew into the city of Amritsar, and the area grew into the temple complex. In 1604, Guru Arjan installed the scripture of Sikhism inside the new gurdwara. Today, this holy site is a significant pilgrimage destination for Sikhs from all over the world.

• Foundation: The groundwork for the temple began in 1581 under Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru. Construction was completed by 1589.
• Addition of Adi Granth: Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru, installed the holy Adi Granth, the Sikh scripture, within the temple in 1604. The site was initially called Amritsar, meaning “Pool of Nectar.”
• The Golden Touch: The gold plating on the dome, a signature feature, was added during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century.

The Golden Temple has faced periods of destruction and renovation throughout history. Notably, Mughal emperor Jahangir ordered its partial demolition in the early 17th century. However, the Sikhs rebuilt it under Guru Arjan’s successor, Guru Hargobind.

How big is the Golden Temple?

The Golden Temple itself isn’t massive, but it sits in the center of a large pool and complex.

• Main Temple Building: The sanctum itself is a square measuring roughly 40.5 feet (12.25 meters) on each side. It has two stories and a gilded dome.
• Platform: The temple sits on a marble platform that’s about 19.7 meters (64.6 feet) square.
• Amritsar Pool: The surrounding pool, called the Amritsar or Amritsarovar, is much larger. It’s almost square, measuring 154.5 meters by 148.5 meters (507 feet by 487 feet), and about 5.1 meters (17 feet) deep.

Construction of the Golden Temple

In 1581, Guru Arjan initiated the construction of the Gurdwara. During the construction, the pool was kept empty and dry. It took 8 years to complete the first version of the Harmandir Sahib. Guru Arjan planned a gurdwara at a level lower than the city to emphasize humility and the need to efface one’s ego before entering the premises to meet the Guru.

1589, the gurdwara made with bricks was complete.

After the inauguration, the pool was filled with water. On 16 August 1604, Guru Arjan completed expanding and compiling the first version of the Sikh scripture and placed a copy of the Adi Granth in the gurdwara.

Golden Temple: Materials Used

• Marble and Brick: The lower level of the temple is built from white marble and Bricks. This provides a solid and beautiful foundation for the structure.
  
• Gilded Copper: The upper level and the iconic dome are constructed from copper. This metal base offered a sturdy structure to support the most distinctive element – the gold plating.
  
• Gold Leaf: Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s contribution in the early 1800s involved covering the copper superstructure with gold leaf. This bestowed the temple with its dazzling exterior and the name “Golden Temple.”
  
• Other embellishments: In addition to the main structure, the Golden Temple complex likely incorporates other materials for decorative purposes. These might include gemstones for inlays (Jarat Kari), colored glass, and decorative metals.

Is the Golden Temple made of gold?

The glory of the Golden Temple often leads to the misconception that the Golden Temple is made of gold. While the temple does boast a stunning gold-plated exterior, it is not constructed from solid gold.

The structure and material used to make the temple comprises bricks, marble, and other materials beneath the gold. The craftsman used this material blend of bricks, marbles, etc., to give the temple structural stability and artistic richness. The temple attracts visitors to explore beyond the myth: “Is the Golden Temple made of gold?”

Architectural Description of the Golden Temple

The Golden Temple as we see it is a very beautiful architect. It incorporates a fusion of architectural styles from Indian, Mughal, and Sikh influences. The Golden Temple is centrally located and surrounded by pure Amrit Sarovar, a sacred pool representing the eternal nectar of spirituality. The temple has four beautiful entrance gates on all sides of it. The Sikh community shows its openness through these gates.

Golden plating with detailed design graces the exterior of the Golden Temple. It has round roofs, like those in palaces from the Mughal times. Marble comprises the walls, showcasing Indian craftsmanship through the artistry of bricks. People should remain humble and kind, which is the main learning this fusion gives us.

Important Parts of the Golden Temple

Amrit Sarovar: The Sacred Pool

Amrit Sarovar lies at the center of the Golden Temple. It is also called the “Pool of Nectar” and holds immense spiritual significance. People from every background come, and put their feet in the Sarovar, teaching us unity. It is believed that the Sarovar waters, like the Ganga, provide divine teachings and spiritually cleanse the soul. Pilgrims take part in a sacred tradition of taking a dip in the Sarovar as a means to purify both body and soul.

The Amrit Sarovar of the temple is made from Indian marble. The water of the Sarovar is pure and crystal clear to see big fishes inside it. The pure water of this Sarovar makes a person meditate and connect with their inner selves. The Amrit Sarovar gives the ideals of equality, humility, and spiritual rejuvenation.

The Harmandir Sahib: House of worship

People say that the Harmandir Sahib is the heart of the Golden Temple and the “House of God”. The inner sanctum inside the Golden Temple has Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal Sikh scripture, placed under a canopy.

The daily rituals start with a melodious recitation of Gurbani. People come here daily to read and sing from the holy book of Guru Granth Sahib. Every person visiting the temple helps prepare and serve the food in the langar. This special temple is not just about the outer architectural marvel but also about the devotion, unity between people, and divine connection.

Guru Granth Sahib: Eternal Guru

Imagine having a book that is a guide for your soul. The Guru Granth Sahib is that book to the people who follow Sikhism. It is not just words on pages, it is a living guide that holds wisdom, prayers, and teachings. Inside the Golden Temple, this special book sits in a place of honor.

Every day, people from around the country gather to read from the book, giving them peace. They recite the book word by word, sing its verses, and they also listen to the teachings the book provides. Reading the holy book is like having a conversation with something greater than yourself. The book teaches people important things, like kindness, honesty, and helping others in every situation.

Langar: The Community Kitchen

In the energetic world of Golden Temple, there is a heartwarming tradition known as Langar. Langar means a big kitchen where everyone is welcome to share a meal.

It’s not just any meal; they serve it with kindness and care. The Langar tradition of the temple is all about equality and togetherness. You can always have a delicious free meal, no matter who you are or what you believe in. Langar is like a big family dinner.

People volunteer their time to prepare the food, serve it, and clean up afterward. In the Langar Seva, people from every ethnicity come and make delicious food. They make the food with pure ghee, and it can fill your stomach in no time. This idea of “Seva” done by the people is the utmost important part of the selfless service of Sikhism. Through the Langar tradition, the Golden Temple nourishes people’s hearts with kindness.

Operation Blue Star: Connection with the Golden Temple

The Indian military conducted Operation Blue Star between June 1 and 8, 1984, severely damaging the Golden Temple. The aim was to remove militant Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi decided to launch the attack.

In July 1982, Harchand Singh Longowal, the president of the Sikh political party Akali Dal, invited Bhindranwale to reside at the Golden Temple to evade arrest. The government claimed that Bhindranwale subsequently turned the Golden Temple into an armory and his headquarters.

After negotiations with the militants failed, Indira Gandhi ordered the army to launch Operation Blue Star on June 1, 1984. The operation also involved attacks on other Sikh temples across Punjab. Military units and paramilitary forces surrounded the Golden Temple on June 3, 1984. Skirmishes began on June 5th, leading to a three-day battle that ended on June 8th. Following the operation, a “cleaning campaign” called Operation Woodrose was initiated across Punjab.

Also Read:-

Jantar Mantar: A Wonders Journey

7 Wonders of India: Architectural Marvels

Qutub Minar in Delhi | Timings, Height, Ticket Prices,

Planning Your Visit: Golden Temple Timings

The good news is that the Golden Temple is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so there’s no single “best” time to visit. However, some times may be more suitable for you than others, depending on what you’re looking for in your experience.

• If you want to experience the Sikh religious ceremonies: The daily ceremonies at the Golden Temple start very early in the morning, around 3:30 am. During this time, They bring out the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, from Akal Takht, the seat of Sikh authority, and carry it in a procession to the Golden Temple. You can also witness the evening ceremony when the Guru Granth Sahib is returned to Akal Takht at around 10:30 pm.
• If you want to avoid the crowds: The Golden Temple is a popular tourist destination, so it can get very crowded during the day. If you want to avoid the crowds, you may want to consider visiting early in the morning or later in the evening.
• If you want to participate in langar: Langar is the free community kitchen that is run by the gurdwara. Langar is open to everyone, regardless of religion or caste. If you want to experience langar, you can visit the Golden Temple at any time of day.

Conclusion

The Golden Temple is a symbol of unity, community, and spirituality. Amritsar’s spiritual oasis, the Golden Temple, invites the people to immerse themselves in its serene Ambience.

The Golden Temple provides a multi-experience, attracting individuals to the recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, the coolness and purity of the water of Amrit Sarovar, or the heartwarming Langar tradition. We can conclude that the temple made by the hardship of the craftsmen is a wonderful wonder. The teachings of the Guru have made this wonder a place of faith.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ’s )