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Golden Temple

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The Golden Temple is the most important spiritual site for people of the Sikh faith.

Complete view of Golden Temple complex 09
Complete view of Golden Temple complex 09

It is located in the city of Amritsar in Punjab, India. The site is also known as Harmandir Sahib, which means "house of God."

Golden Temple, Amritsar 03
Golden Temple, Amritsar 03

It is a place where many people go to pray and find peace. The temple complex is a collection of many different buildings. These buildings sit around a large, holy pool called a sarovar.

The Golden temple map
The Golden temple map

This pool is a central part of the whole sacred area.

The temple is designed to show that everyone is equal.

Entrance to Golden Temple, Amritsar
Entrance to Golden Temple, Amritsar

It has a square shape with four separate entrances. These four doors represent the Sikh belief that all people are welcome. It does not matter what group or background a person comes from. One path leads across the water to the main shrine.

Golden Temple night view - IMG 6323-2
Golden Temple night view - IMG 6323-2

The temple is built at a level lower than the city. This was done to teach humility to those who visit. The complex also includes a kitchen called a langar. This kitchen serves free vegetarian meals to every visitor without discrimination.

The history of the site began with the Sikh Gurus.

Painting of Guru Arjan overseeing the construction of the original Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), circa 1890-95
Painting of Guru Arjan overseeing the construction of the original Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), circa 1890-95

Guru Ram Das completed the holy pool in 1577. Later, the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan, played a huge role in its growth. In 1604, he placed a copy of the Adi Granth inside the temple.

A Sikh Guru (Perhaps Guru Arjan Dev) Seated in the Golden Temple at Amritsar, Guler, circa 1830
A Sikh Guru (Perhaps Guru Arjan Dev) Seated in the Golden Temple at Amritsar, Guler, circa 1830

This made the temple a major place for pilgrimage. The site has seen many changes over hundreds of years. It has been a center for many important movements in Sikh history.

Over time, the temple faced many hard times and attacks.

The Golden Temple in 1840
The Golden Temple in 1840

It was destroyed several times by the Mughal and Afghan armies. In the 1700s, the Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani attacked the city. He even used gunpowder to blow up the temple in 1762.

Photograph of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, by Felice Beato, circa October 1859
Photograph of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, by Felice Beato, circa October 1859

Later, in 1984, the Indian Army arrived during a conflict known as Operation Blue Star. This event caused damage to the temple and the Akal Takht. The Sikhs rebuilt the complex again after these difficult years.

The temple got its famous name from its beautiful appearance.

Ceiling of the Golden Temple in gold and precious stones
Ceiling of the Golden Temple in gold and precious stones

In 1809, Maharaja Ranjit Singh rebuilt the shrine using marble and copper. In 1830, he covered the central part with gold leaf.

Ranjit Singh at Harmandir Sahib - August Schoefft - Vienna 1850 - Princess Bamba Collection - Lahore Fort
Ranjit Singh at Harmandir Sahib - August Schoefft - Vienna 1850 - Princess Bamba Collection - Lahore Fort

This bright gold is why people call it the Golden Temple. Today, more than 150,000 people visit the shrine every single day. It remains a place of deep respect and wonder for the world.

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🖼️ Images & Media (17)
File:Complete view of Golden Temple complex 09.jpg
Complete view of Golden Temple complex 09.jpg
File:Painting of Guru Arjan overseeing the construction of the original Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), circa 1890-95.jpg
Painting of Guru Arjan overseeing the...
File:A Sikh Guru (Perhaps Guru Arjan Dev) Seated in the Golden Temple at Amritsar, Guler, circa 1830.jpg
A Sikh Guru (Perhaps Guru Arjan Dev)...
File:Ranjit Singh at Harmandir Sahib - August Schoefft - Vienna 1850 - Princess Bamba Collection - Lahore Fort.jpg
Ranjit Singh at Harmandir Sahib - August...
File:The Golden Temple in 1840.png
The Golden Temple in 1840.png
File:Golden Temple, Amritsar 03.jpg
Golden Temple, Amritsar 03.jpg
File:1880 photograph of the Golden Temple, Darbar Sahib, sacred pool and nearby buildings, Amritsar.jpg
1880 photograph of the Golden Temple,...
File:The Golden temple map.jpg
The Golden temple map.jpg
File:Ceiling of the Golden Temple in gold and precious stones.JPG
Ceiling of the Golden Temple in gold and...
File:Entrance to Golden Temple, Amritsar.jpg
Entrance to Golden Temple, Amritsar.jpg
File:Golden Temple night view - IMG 6323-2.jpg
Golden Temple night view - IMG 6323-2.jpg
File:Dukh Bhanjani Ber tree and entrance gate near the Langar at the Golden Temple.jpg
Dukh Bhanjani Ber tree and entrance gate...

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