Golden Temple - Amritsar

Harmandir Sahib - Amritsar 

Hi Friends ! Today we will see about the Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara which is the holiest temple for Sikhs.

The temple was built by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru of the Sikhs and is located in Amritsar (Punjab), India. 

Construction began in December 1585 and was completed in August 1604. The main purpose of its construction is to create a place where men and women of all faiths can come equally and worship God in all walks of life.

 In 1604, Guru Arjun Singh completed the Sikh holy book Adi Granth and established it at the Gurudwara. Sikhs call it Harmandir Sahib with devotion.

 

Harmandir Sahib means the temple of God. In 1577, Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru of the Sikhs, dug a pond. Later it was called Amritsar (meaning "immortal honey pool"). The city that grew around it was also given the same name. Later, Sri Harmandir Sahib (meaning "House of God"), was built in the middle of this tank. And it became the supreme center of the Sikhs. Its sanctum sanctorum contains the Adi Granth, a collection of songs by Sikh gurus and other sages who followed Sikh philosophy, e.g., Baba Farid, and Kabir. The collection of Adi Granth was started by Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs. This holy book is called Guru Granth Sahib.

 

Sikh temples are called Gurudwaras. There are no idols of gods in the gurudwaras. (As per Sikhism god is Formless so no idols .)

Bathing in the pool around the Golden Temple is special. It is not possible to take a bath if it is very crowded. Do not swim. Dip one foot into warm running water. The hair should be covered with a cloth and tied before entering the temple premises. Women cover their heads with sarees. This arrangement is so that the hair does not fall out in the holy temple.

 

Gurbani is always sung in the temple. For this, there are musicians called Granthi in the temple. Guru Granth Sahib will be kept in the middle. Everyone bows their heads, bows down, and goes out to worship. 

When the worshiper goes out he will offer an offering like Ravakesari called Kada Prasad which is good ghee. It will be as sweet as it actually fits the name of the town. In addition, food is always served at a place called the Langar. This langar food will be served with devotion. Many here take the task of feeding and scrubbing the utensil as a request and do it diligently. 

In the nineteenth century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh protected the Punjab region from external attack and covered the upper floors of the gurudwara with gold. This is what gives it its unique look and its English name (Golden Temple).

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa ! Waheguru ji ki Fatih !!!