Feature By Amutha Thinakaran
Sri Harmandir Sahib (commonly known as The Golden temple) is a gurudwara (a Sikh place of worship) located in the city of Amristsar, Punjab.
The Golden temple is built around a man-made pond.
Its construction was completed in 1577 by Guru Ram Das ji.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh rebuilt it in marble and copper in 1809 and overlaid the sanctum with gold foil in 1830.
The Harimandir Sahib is the holy seat of the Sikhs. The Guru Granth Sahib was consecrated here. The Khalsa was founded here.
It is built on a 67 feet square of marble and is a two storied structure. The upper half of the building is built with approximately 400 kg of gold foil. Scholars believe it is a mixture of Indo-Islamic Mughal and the Hindu Rajput architecture.
Like all Gurudwaras, this gurudwara also has 4 entrance gates – one on each side, emphasizing that it is open to all. The main sanctum inside the pool has only one bridge to emphasize that the end goal is one.
The buildings around the sanctum and the pool include: The Akal Takht (Eternal Throne), offices of the Gurudwara committee, a museum, rooms to stay, and a Langar.
The Main Temple Sanctum
The sanctum has two floors. The Holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, is placed on the lower square floor. The upper floor walls are made of marble with nature motifs like flowers and birds. The doors are covered with copper sheets lined with gold foil.
The Sacred Pool (Sarovar)
The sacred pool is called Amrit Sarovar meaning pool of nectar.The circumambulatory (the act of moving around a sacred object or idol) marble passage around the pool is circled clockwise. People can take a holy dip in the pool. It is believed to have restorative powers, purifying one’s karmas. Like all facilities in a Gurudwara, the pool is also maintained by the kar sevas (volunteers).
Drinking Water (Amrit)
Water to drink is served in bowls which are cleaned and kept back for use by volunteers. The amrit is as holy as the prasad.
Museum
It exhibits paintings of Sikh gurus, Saints, Sikh warriors. It also has a rich collection of coins, arms, and ancient manuscripts.
Prasad
At the exit of the path away from the sanctum is the place were volunteers serve flour based sweet called Karah Prasad to the devotees.
It is called Kadah Prashad because it is made in a large cauldron, called Kadahi in India.
Langar
A free community kitchen run by volunteers.
Most Gurudwaras serve langar, usually round the clock.
Here vegetarian food is served, and all people eat together as equals. Everyone sits on the floor in rows.
Festivals
13 April Baisakhi
19 November (approximately) Guru Parb (literally, the festival of the Guru)
Holla Mohalla – celebrated the day after Holi.
Every day around 1 lakh people visit the temple.
Baisakhi is the largest festival by far. It was on the day of Baisakhi that Shri Guru Gobind Singh ji, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, founded the Khalsa (1699 approximately) at the Harimandir Sahib. It was on Baisakhi that the Jalianwala Bagh massacre happened in 1919.