Harimandir Sahib Temple (Amritsar, Punjab India)
Religious
Contributed by : Harpreet Kaur
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The Harimandir Sahib temple also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple is one of the inspirations to the Sikh community. Its name literally means "House of God". It is the heritage of the Sikh people gathered in their five hundred years old history. Legends and miracles are connected with the holy tank while great martyrdoms and triumphs are associated with various spots of the temple precincts. The temple had been a symbol of the Sikh struggle for independence in the eighteenth century.
The greater part of the temple was constructed and decorated in nineteenth century. With this Harimandir Sahib temple Amritsar attained the status of a great holy place. The literature associated with the Harimandir Sahib shows that the site was chosen due to its religious antiquity.
The most popular views of the temple were done in the year 1577. The inauguration of the temple is made in traditional Indian style. Harimandir Sahib temple has entrance on all four sides which represents it is open to all. The Mughals negotiated peace and granted independent territory to the Sikhs so the Sikhs began to visit Amritsar in large numbers and it became a rallying centre of the Sikh community. More volunteer services were offered by the Sikhs for the construction of the temple. The local Sikhs visited the temple daily and people far away visited at least once a year.
The Harimandir Sahib temple was destroyed by the Afghan invaders three times during 1757, 1762, and 1764 and was finally built in its present structure during the period of Sikh Misls (confederacies) in AD. 1765. The next development of the Harimandir Sahib temple was compilation of scripture and it was compiled under the title of Pothi Sahib. The holy writings were made on the principle of the Unity of God and brotherhood of man. It is a shrine and part of the essential machinery of a living faith.
The architecture of the Golden Temple shows the achievement of the Sikhs in art and architecture. In 1882 Luois Rousselet regarded it as a "handsome style of architecture'''''''' and considered as the best architectural specimens in the world. Instead of building the temple in Hindu style, Guru Arjan built in a depression so that worshippers had to go down the steps in order to enter it. The main structure rises from the centre of the sacred pool. The decorations are made of mural painting and floral patterns with animal motifs.
Some of the places to visit around the Harimandir Sahib temple are Akal Takhat, Three Ber Trees and their Associated Shrines, Baba Atal, Guru Ka Langar, Gurdwara Thara Sahib, Athsath Tirath, Manji Sahib, Har ki Pauri and Darshani Deorhi, Causeway, Shrine of Baba Deep Singh Ji, The Two Towers, Sri Guru Ram Das Niwas, Guru Nanak Niwas, Akal Rest House, Guru Hargobind Niwas, Guru Arjan Dev Niwas, The SGPC Offices, Central Sikh Museum.
One of the most important festivals is Vaisakhi, which is celebrated in the second week of April at Harimandir Sahib temple. Sri Darbar Sahib is reachable by air, by road or by train. There is a rapidly expanding array of international hotels in the holy city that can be booked for overnight stays. Sri Darbar Sahib is one of the world''''''''s best spiritual sites.
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