Top 15 Things to Know about the Golden Temple, Amritsar

1. Top 15 Things to Know about the Golden Temple, Amritsar Amritsar Golden Temple Tour Packages are an ideal choice for national & international pilgrims, who wish to feel the serene and sacred Golden Temple. Amritsar is the spiritual capital of Sikhism and is famous for its renowned Golden Temple. The Golden Temple, known as the ‘Pearl of Sikhism’, is a majestic religious building located in the heart of Amritsar, Punjab. A symbol of Sikh brotherhood, equality, and glory, the Harmandir Sahib hosts thousands of devotees from all walks of life every day. In this sacred place, the priests chant the sacred Guru Granth Sahib, which adds to the charm of this Temple. Read the article completely to know the 15 most important things about Golden Temple.

2. 1. Foundation of Amritsar The fourth Sikh guru, Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, who originally built the pool here, founded Amritsar, which contains the Golden Temple. Guru Ram Das Sahib is the one who covered Amritsar’s Golden Temple with gold in 1830, two centuries after it was built. 2. Birth of Golden Temple Tensions between Hindus and Muslims in the 16th century were palpable and the prophets of Sikhism wanted to break down these barriers in order to discover and protect the spiritual foundation that both Hindus and Islam have in common, so a Golden shrine was born. 3. Actual Name of Golden Temple The real name of the Golden Temple is Sri Harmandir Sahib and it is a collection of glory, harmony, and equality. It is also known as Sri Darbar Sahib which means “God’s Abode/House” and in the name of the Amritsar loyal to the Golden Temple, this Sikh temple is open to visitors every day. 4. Age of Golden Temple Designed by the fifth Sikh guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in the late 16th century, the Golden Temple has seen history unfold and stood for over four centuries. 5. Foundation Stone Laid by a Muslim As the Gurudwara is open to all people regardless of their religion or caste, Guru Arjan Dev Ji invited one of his friends and the great modern mysticism Buddhist and Muslim scholar Mir Mohammad Muayyinul Islam, commonly known as Mian Mir, who then laid the foundation stone for the temple. 6. Completion of Construction Work After its foundation was laid in 1588 under the supervision of the fifth Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the building work at the Harmandir Sahib was completed in August/September 1601. 7. Parkash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji The Sikh Scripture i.e. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was first placed inside the Gurudwara in August 1604. Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the holy book of Sikhs that is considered to be the eternal guru.

3. This holy book is a collection of many sacred prayers, poems, and various hymns, originally composed by various Sikh gurus and Muslim saints. 8. Four Entries Another fact about the temple strengthening all people and religious unity is that the temple has entrances from all four sides, which means that people of different backgrounds can enter the Gurudwara, which welcomes them with open arms to all. So, if foreign nationals booking Amritsar Golden Temple Tour Packages ask “is Golden Temple open for tourists” then, they must remember that the temple is well-known among adherents of all religions, castes, creeds, and nationalities, etc. and the temple welcomes adherents of all religions without discrimination. 9. Ranjit Singh Era Reconstruction In 1802, 22-year old Maharaja Ranjit Singh took Amritsar from Bhangi Sikh Misal to pay homage to the Golden Temple and announced that he would renovate and rebuild it with marble and gold. 10. Cost and Weight of Gold in Harmandir Sahib During the construction of the Golden Temple, it was not covered with any gold rim, but later Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the brave ruler of the Sikhs, donated about 500 kilograms of gold worth 130 crores of Indian rupees to decorate it. 11. The Unique Architecture The exquisite architecture of this temple makes it a distinctive blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture. Structurally, the temple is located one level below ground level, as this means one has to be humble and descend to reach the temple of God. 12. Prayers in the Temple By Britishers for Victory in WWI During WWI i.e. the First World War, when the British army was facing heavy casualties, they decided to seek divine help. Thus, various Akhand Paths were performed in the Golden Temple upon the request of the British government. 13. Langar (Community Kitchen) The Golden Temple of Amritsar has been providing free hot meals, also known as langar, to the people of all religions and beliefs who come here since Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru of the

4. Sikhs, started this tradition in 1481. This largest community kitchen in the world serves more than 1 lakh people with free food every day. 14. Sikh Museum The Golden Temple is also home to the famous Central Sikh Museum, which houses relics and works of art related to the Sikh religion, great saints and warriors of the Sikh religion. 15. Awarded as the Most Visited Place in India The Golden Temple has become one of the most visited places in India by national & international tourists who visit Amritsar mainly because of the stunning beauty and religious significance of the Golden Temple of Amritsar. Things to Keep in Mind When Visiting Golden Temple Complex ● You must cover your head with your handkerchief, scarf or bandana; or you can rent or buy one right outside the temple. Wearing a hat as a substitute should be avoided. ● Must Cover your shoulders and legs. Consider wearing a long dress or a long top with trousers. ● Remove your shoes before entering the grounds. There are various designated shoe drop-off locations where you can keep your shoes free of cost. You will be given a token to hold to pick up your shoes as you exit the complex. Or, you can even keep your shoes in your parked vehicle, if you want. ● Wearing socks is not allowed in the complex. You have to wash your feet in the basins built before the entrances. ● To avoid carrying an extra load, you can store your luggage or any baggage in the free storage room at the temple entrance. ● You should take care of your belongings on your own as no one will be responsible for any loss or damage. Best Places to Stay in Amritsar Near Golden Temple Being a prominent Sikh Gurudwara, the Golden Temple is truly an impressive sight. There is a free bus facility for both the pilgrims and tourists to pick them up from the train station and drop them at the golden temple. So, if you are coming to experience the spiritual environment of Sri Harmandir Sahib, you can consider staying at the following places near the holy shrine:

5. 1. Inside the Golden Temple Complex 2. Guru Arjan Dev Niwas (Sarai), simple accommodation with a shared bathroom reserved for tourists 3. Mata Gujri Niwas 4. New Akal Rest House 5. Guru Ram Das Niwas 6. Guru Nanak Niwas 7. Guru Hargobind Niwas 8. Mata Ganga Ji Niwas 9. Saragarhi Sarai 10. Guru Gobind Singh Ji NRI Yatri Niwas, a 3-minute walk from Golden Temple To stay in any of these Niwas Asthans/Sarai, you have to make a reservation for your room by paying nominal charges as due to the large number of pilgrims visiting Golden Temple daily, sometimes you may not get a vacant room. But, in case there is no room available then you go to other places like luxury hotels, paid accommodations near Golden Temple or Sadda Pind, where you can enjoy the authentic Punjabi village life & its culture and a lot more things to do. Places to Explore When Visiting Golden Temple, Amritsar Below mentioned are some of the historical places that you can visit and explore: ● Wagah Border ● Jallianawala Bagh ● Partition Museum ● Baba Atal Tower ● Gobindgarh Fort ● Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum ● And, a Few More Now, as you are clear about everything about Golden Temple’s divine and glorious past, you should book any one of the Amritsar Golden Temple Tour packages with the Best Tour and Travel Company in India and discover the rich history of this place on your own.