Sri Harmandir Sahib also known as Golden Temple is the pilgrim spot of Sikh . This temple holds the World's Largest Free Kitchen known as Guru Ka Langar. The temple is basically a gurdwara in the city Amritsar of Punjab in India . The holy place is famous for its full golden doom and scenic beauty . It is the central religious place of Sikh and every person from Punjab prays to pay visit at least once in their lifetime .
Location: Amritsar, Punjab 143001, India Entry Fee: Free Timing: everyday from 4am to 11pm Time to visit: 1-2 hours Near by Food : the place itself holds the World's largest free kitchen and offers tasty food Near by Market: Kairon Market and Sehjra Market
Sri Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib means abode of God or exalted court is named after Hari (the temple of God) . The idea of creation of this holy place came in mind of the fifth guru of Sikhism , Guru Arjan Sahib . The idea was to create a central religious place for Sikhs . He himself designed the architecture of the temple and he requested to Hazrat Mian Mir ji ( a Muslim Saint from Lahore ) to lay the foundation stone of the temple . After the death of Guru Govind Singh, this gurdwara was constantly attacked and destroyed by the Mughal and Afghan armies . In the year 1762, this religious heritage was completely blown away with gunpowder. Last time it was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh , he built the upper half of the building with around 400 kg gold leaf due to which this pilgrim spot got its name Golden Temple.
Sri Harmandir Sahib is built around a man-made pool known as Amrit Sarovar . Construction of this Sarovar was planned by the third Nanak Guru Amardas Sahib . Although it was executed by Guru Ramdas Sahib . Amritsar got its name from the name of this Sarovar . The land for the structure was acquired by the earlier Guru Sahibs on payment or free of cost from the Zamindars (landlords) of native villages . This Mandir is built on a 67 feet square marble platform , surrounded by the Amrit Sarovar . Guru Arjan Sahib got the temple open from all four sides so that everyone irrespective of their identity , glory , caste , religion and heritage could enter this Mandir . He built the temple at a lower level so that everyone could enter it's premises , thus creating a symbol of love and brotherhood.
The Darshani Deori (an arch) is built at the ends of the shore causeway . The bridge is connected to the pardakshna (a circular path) . It runs around the main temple and leads to the main temple and Har Ki Paure (steps of God) . First floor of the Har ki Paure inculcates continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib . The famous Golden Gumbaz stands at the top of the temple having lotus petal motif in relief at the base and an inverted lotus at the top, which supports the 'Kalash' having a beautiful 'Chhatri' at the end .The main temple houses the Guru Granth Sahib . The Guru Granth Sahib is placed inside the temple premises every morning and returned to Akal Takhat , which is the temporal seat of the Khalsa brotherhood , every night .
Sri Harmandir Sahib is considered to be the most significant shrine of Sikhs . This gurdwara holds the World's Largest Free Kitchen known as Guru Ka Langar . The gurdwara offers food to everyone irrespective of religion and faith . Although , the food is free of cost but devotees often make donations and often helps inform of doing work at the temple.
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