Golden Temple

Amritsar, the city of celebrated Golden Temple, is indisputably, the religious capital of the Sikhs. The Golden Temple is an important landmark in Amritsar. A Muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir Ji of Lahore laid the foundation stone of the temple in 1588. The Golden Temple is a marvel in architecture. The temple was completed in 1601 and Guru Arjan Sahib installed Guru Granth Sahib (the holy book of Sikhs). Sri Harmandir Sahib, also known Golden Temple, is named after Hari the temple of God. Guru Arjan Sahib, the Fifth Nanak, considered the idea of creating a central place of worship for the Sikhs and he himself designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib.

The four gates of the temple signify the liberal and openness of the religion. The gates were specifically made to welcome all the people from all the four sides. The temple is surrounded by a lake that gives the Golden Temple a beautiful character. Also known as the Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple is built in three stories. The dome of the temple is gold plated and hence the temple is known as Golden Temple. The first storey of the temple is done in marble while the rest have gold plating. The walls of the temple are decorated with carved wooden panels and elaborate inlay work in gold and silver is another highlight of the temple architecture.

Golden Temple constructed on a 67ft. Stage in the center of the tank is a colossal structure of 40.5ft. Leading doors of the temple opens in all the four directions North, south, East and west. The Darshani Deori or the entrance is in the shape of an arched gateway erects at the end of the causeway. The arch embellished in artistic style is about 10ft in height and 8ft in breath. The main structure of the Golden Temple is 202 feet in length and 21 feet in width is a multi storied building. The first floor of 'Har ki Paure', houses the holy book of Sikhs, 'The Guru Granth Sahib.' The devotees through out the day continuously read the book.

The structure is decorated with sequential arches and marvelous designs. There is a unique compatibility between the Muslims and the Hindu architecture and is regarded as the premium architectural splendor of the world. It is often quoted that this architecture has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in the history of art in India. Akal Takhat, Baba Atal and Guru Ka Langar are some of the other holy shrines near the Golden Temple is the nerve center of the Sikhs ever since.