Harmandir Sahib

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Harmandir Sahib
ਹਰਿਮੰ ਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ
Golden Temple

The Harmandir Sahib (The abode of God),

informally known as the Golden Temple[1][2]

Architectural style Sikh architecture

Town Amritsar

Country India

Coordinates

Client Guru Arjan Dev & Sikhs

Started December 1585 AD

Completed August 1604 AD

Architect Guru Arjan Dev

The Harmandir Sahib[1] (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰ ਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ, IPA: [həɾməndəɾ sɑhɪb] or IPA: [həɾɪməndəɾ

sɑhɪb]) also Darbar Sahib[3] (Punjabi: ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ, IPA: [dəɾbɑɾ sɑhɪb]), informally referred to
as The Golden Temple,[1] is a prominent Sikh gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab
(India). Construction of the gurdwara was begun by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, and
completed by his successor, Guru Arjan. In 1604, Guru Arjan completed the Adi Granth, the
holy scripture of Sikhism, and installed it in the Gurdwara. In 1634, Guru Hargobind left
Amritsar for the Sivalik Hills and for the remainder of the seventeenth century the city and
gurdwara was in the hands of forces hostile to the Sikh Gurus.[4] During the eighteenth century,
the Harmandir Sahib was the site of frequent fighting between the Sikhs on one side and either
Mughal or Afghan forces on the other side and the gurdwara occasionally suffered damage. In
the early nineteenth century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh secured the Punjab region from outside
attack and covered the upper floors of the gurdwara with gold, which gives it its distinctive
appearance and english name of "Golden Temple".[5]

Contents
[hide]

 1 General
 2 History
o 2.1 Construction of the Harmandir Sahib
 3 The Harmandir Sahib Complex and areas in its vicinity
 4 Artwork and monument sculptures
 5 Celebrations at Harmandir Sahib
 6 Reaching the Harmandir Sahib from abroad
 7 Operation Blue Star
 8 In Popular Culture
 9 Photo gallery
 10 Other gurdwaras
 11 See also
 12 References
 13 External links

General

The Golden Temple is considered holy by Sikhs because the eternal guru of Sikhism, the Sri
Guru Granth Sahib, is always present inside it and its construction was mainly intended to build
a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religion to come and
worship God equally.[1][6] The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the holiest literature in the Sikh religion,
[6]
the tenth guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh, on 7 October 1708 at Nanded made it the
eternal Sikh Guru and the leader of Sikhism.[6] Anywhere in the world where the Guru Granth
Sahib is present is equally holy and precious to Sikhs. Amritsar is the location of Harmandir
Sahib.

History
Its name literally means Temple of God. The fourth guru of Sikhism, Guru Ram Das, excavated
a tank in 1577 AD which subsequently became known as Amritsar (meaning "Pool of the Nectar
of Immortality"),[7] giving its name to the city that grew around it. In due course, a splendid Sikh
edifice, Harmandir Sahib (meaning "the abode of God"),[8] rose in the middle of this tank and
became the supreme centre of Sikhism. Its sanctum came to house the Adi Granth comprising
compositions of Sikh gurus and other saints considered to have Sikh values and philosophies,
e.g., Baba Farid, and Kabir. The compilation of the Adi Granth was started by the fifth guru of
Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev.

Construction of the Harmandir Sahib

Originally built in 1574, the site of the temple was surrounded by a small lake in a thin forest.
The third of the six grand Mughals, Emperor Akbar, who visited the third Sikh guru, Guru Amar
Das, in the neighbouring town of Goindval, was so impressed by the way of life in the town that
he gave a jagir (the land and the revenues of several villages in the vicinity) to the guru's
daughter Bhani as a gift on her marriage to Bhai Jetha, who later became the fourth Sikh guru,
Guru Ram Das. Guru Ram Das enlarged the lake and built a small township around it. The town
was named after Guru Ram Das as Guru Ka Chak', Chak Ram Das or Ram Das Pura.

During the leadership of the fifth guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1581–1606), the full-fledged Temple
was built. In December 1588, the great Muslim Sufi saint of Lahore, Hazrat Mian Mir, who was
a close friend of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, initiated the construction of the temple by laying the first
foundation stone (December 1588 AD).[1][9] A mason then straightened the stone but Guru Arjan
Dev told him that, as he had undone the work just completed by the holy man, a disaster might
come to the Harmandir Sahib. It was later attacked by the Mughals.

The temple was completed in 1604. Guru Arjan Dev, installed the Guru Granth Sahib in it and
appointed Baba Buddha Ji as the first Granthi (reader) of it on August 1604. In the mid-18th
century it was attacked by the Afghans, by one of Ahmed Shah Abdali's generals, Jahan Khan,
and had to be substantially rebuilt in the 1760s. However, in response a Sikh Army was sent to
hunt down the Afghan force. They were under orders to show no mercy and historical evidence
suggests the Sikh Army was decisively victorious in the ensuing battle. Both forces met each
other five miles outside Amritsar; Jahan Khan's army was destroyed.[10] He himself was
decapitated by commander Sardar Dayal Singh.[10]

The Harmandir Sahib Complex and areas in its vicinity

Map of the Harmandir Sahib

The temple is surrounded by a large lake, known as the Sarovar, which consists of Amrit ("holy
water" or "immortal nectar"). There are four entrances to the temple, signifying the importance
of acceptance and openness; ostensibly, this concept is reminiscent of the tent of the Old
Testament patriarch Abraham, whose tent was open on all four sides in order to be able to
welcome travelers from all directions. Inside the temple complex there are many shrines to past
Sikh gurus, saints and martyrs (see map). There are three holy trees (bers), each signifying a
historical event or Sikh saint. Inside the temple there are many memorial plaques that
commemorate past Sikh historical events, saints, martyrs and includes commemorative
inscriptions of all the Sikh soldiers who died fighting in World Wars I and II.

In 1988, after Operation Black Thunder, the government acquired a narrow peripheral strip of
land (including buildings) in order to use their space as a security buffer. The acquisition process
involved the displacement and relocation of a large number of residences and businesses.
However, the project met with a strong resistance from both moderate and militant Sikh
organisations and had to be abandoned following the murder of a senior government-employed
engineer connected with the project. The project was revived only in 1993 by the Deputy
Commissioner Karan Bir Singh Sidhu, who was also appointed as the project director of what
became popularly known as the Galliara Project. He changed the concept of the periphery from
that of a security belt to that of a second parikarma and created a serene landscape that was fully
consistent with the ethereal beauty of the Harmandir Sahib. This was done in quiet consultation
with the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC). Present-day pilgrims can travel
by foot in the Galliara; no vehicles are permitted.

In keeping with the rule observed at all Sikh temples (gurdwaras) worldwide, the Harmandir
Sahib is open to all persons regardless of their religion, colour, creed, or sex. The only
restrictions on the Harmandir Sahib's visitors concern their behavior when entering and while
visiting:

 Maintaining the purity of the sacred space and of one's body while in it:
o Upon entering the premises, removing one's shoes (leaving them off for the
duration of one's visit) and washing one's feet in the small pool of water provided;
o Not drinking alcohol, eating meat, or smoking cigarettes or other drugs while in
the shrine
 Dressing appropriately:
o Wearing a head covering (a sign of respect) (the temple provides head scarves for
visitors who have not brought a suitable covering);
o Not wearing shoes (see above).

First-time visitors are advised to begin their visit at the information office highlighted in the map
and then proceed to the Central Sikh Museum near the main entrance and clock tower.

Artwork and monument sculptures

North Entrance gate near Ath-sath Tirath (68 Sacred Places) (Point 15 on map)

Much of the present decorative gilding and marblework dates from the early 19th century. All
the gold and exquisite marble work were conducted under the patronage of Hukam Singh Chimni
and Emperor Ranjit Singh, Maharaja of the Sikh Empire of the Punjab. The Darshani Deorhi
Arch stands at the beginning of the causeway to the Harmandir Sahib; it is 202 feet (62 m) high
and 21 feet (6 m) in width. The gold plating on the Harmandir Sahib was begun by Emperor
Ranjit Singh and was finished in 1830. The Sher-e-Punjab (Lion of the Punjab) was a major
donor of wealth and materials for the shrine and is remembered with much affection by the
Punjabi people in general and the Sikh community in particular. Maharaja Ranjit Singh also built
two of the other most sacred temples in Sikhism. This was because Maharaja Ranjit Singh had a
deep love for the tenth guru of Sikhism Guru Gobind Singh. The other two most sacred temples
in Sikhism, which he built, are Takht Sri Patna Sahib (intiation or birth place of Guru Gobind
Singh) and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, the place of Guru Gobind Singh's Sikh ascension into heaven

Celebrations at Harmandir Sahib

One of the most important festivals is Vaisakhi, which is celebrated in the second week of April
(usually the 13th). Sikhs celebrate the founding of the Khalsa on this day and it is celebrated with
fervour in the Harmandir Sahib. Other important Sikh religious days such as the martyrdom day
of Guru Teg Bahadur, the birthday of Guru Nanak, etc., are also celebrated with religious piety.
Similarly Diwali is one of the festivals which sees the Harmandir Sahib beautifully illuminated
with Divas/Diyas (lamps); lights and fireworks are discharged. During these special occasions
many thousands of people visit the holy shrine named Harmandir Sahib.

Most Sikh people visit Amritsar and the Harmandir Sahib at least once during their lifetime,
particularly and mostly during special occasions in their life such as birthdays, marriages,
childbirth, etc.

Operation Blue Star

Main article: Operation Blue Star

Between 3 June and 6 June 1984, the Indian Army led by General Kuldip Singh Brar brought
troops into the Harmandir Sahib to arrest Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He and some
followers had taken refuge in the Harmandir Sahib, and resisted the police who sought to arrest
him for suspected acts of terrorism.

Mark Tully and Satish Jacob wrote[12]: "All ... [Bhindranwale's] terrorists were known by name to
the shopkeepers and the householders who live in the narrow alleys surrounding the Golden
Temple....The Punjab police must have known who they were also, but they made no attempt to
arrest them. By this time Bhindranwale and his men were above the law."

The Harmandir Sahib complex and some of the surrounding houses were fortified. The
Statesman reported on 4 July that light machine-guns and sophisticated self-loading rifles were
known to have been brought into the compound.

Indira Gandhi ordered the army to launch Operation Blue Star.

Fierce fighting ensued between Bhindranwale's supporters and the soldiers, in which many of
Bhindranwale's supporters were killed along with many soldiers. An official account tallies the
deaths of 83 soldiers and 492 civilians.[13] However, many journalists abroad and in India
consider the pilgrim death toll to be much higher.[citation needed]. The Harmandir Sahib complex also
suffered much damage due to the fighting, especially the holy Sri Akal Takhat Sahib.

Many Sikhs regarded the attack as a desecration of their holiest shrine and their alienation had
deep and dramatic consequences.
Sonia Gandhi in 1998 officially apologized for the assault on the holy Harmandir Sahib as a
great mistake.[14]

In 1986, the repairs performed on the holy Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, which the Rajiv Gandhi
Government had undertaken without consultation, were removed. A new Sri Akal Takhat Sahib
was completed in 1999 by Kar Seva (free pilgrim service and work).

Sri Harmandir Sahib, also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple, (on account of its scenic beauty
and golden coating for English speaking world), is named after Hari(God) the temple of God. The Sikhs all
over the world, daily wish to pay visit to Sri Amritsar and to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib in their
Ardas.

Guru Arjan Sahib, the Fifth Nanak, conceived the idea of creating a central place of worship for the Sikhs
and he himself designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib. Earlier the planning to excavate the holy
tank (Amritsar or Amrit Sarovar ) was chalked out by Guru Amardas Sahib, the Third Nanak, but it was
executed by Guru Ramdas Sahib under the supervision of Baba Budha ji. The land for the site was
acquired by the earlier Guru Sahibs on payment or free of cost from the Zamindars (landlords) of native
villages. The plan to establish a town settlement was also made. Therefore, the construction work on the
Sarovar(the tank) and the town started simultaneously in 1570. The work on both projects completed in
1577 A.D.

Guru Arjan Sahib got its foundation laid by a muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir ji of Lahore on 1st of Magh,
1645 Bikrmi Samvat(December,1588). The construction work was directly supervised by Guru Arjan
Sahib himself and he was assisted by the prominent Sikh personalities like Baba Budha ji, Bhai Gurdas ji,
Bhai Sahlo ji and many other devoted Sikhs.

Unlike erecting the structure on the higher level(a tradition in Hindu Temple architecture), Guru Arjan
Sahib got it built on the lower level and unlike Hindu Temples having only one gate for the entrance and
exit, Guru Sahib got it open from four sides. Thus he created a symbol of new faith, Sikhism. Guru Sahib
made it accessible to every person without any distinction of Caste, creed, sex and religion.

The building work completed in 1601 A.D. on Bhadoon Sudi 1st, 1661 Bikrmi Samvat
(August/September,1604). Guru Arjan Sahib installed newly created Guru Granth Sahib, in Sri Harmandir
Sahib and appointed Baba Budha ji as its first Granthi i.e. the reader of Guru Granth Sahib. After this
event it attained the status of ‘Ath Sath Tirath’. Now the Sikh Nation had their own Tirath, a pilgrimage
center

Sri Harmandir Sahib, is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of the Sarovar(tank). The temple
itself is 40.5ft. square. It has a door each on the East, West, North and South. The Darshani Deori (an
arch) stands at the shore end of the causeway. The door frame of the arch is about 10ft in height and 8ft
6inches in breath. The door panes are decorated with artistic style. It opens on to the causeway or bridge
that leads to the main building of Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is 202 feet in length and 21 feet in width.

The bridge is connected with the 13 feet wide ‘Pardakshna’ (circumambulatory path). It runs round the
main shrine and it leads to the ‘Har ki Paure’ (steps of God). On the first floor of ‘Har ki Paure’, there is
continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib.

The main structure of Sri Harmandir Sahib, functionally as well as technically is a three-storied one. The
front, which faces the bridge, is decorated with repeated cusped arches and the roof of the first floor is at
the height of the 26 feet and 9 inches.

At the top of the first floor 4 feet high parapet rises on all the sides which has also four ‘Mamtees’ on the
four corners and exactly on the top of the central hall of the main sanctuary rises the third story. It is a
small square room and have three gates. A regular recitation of Guru Granth Sahib is also held there.

On the top of this room stands the low fluted ‘Gumbaz’(dome) having lotus petal motif in relief at the base
inverted lotus at the top which supports the ‘Kalash’ having a beautiful ‘Chhatri’ at the end.
Its architecture represents a unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction
work and this is considered the best architectural specimens of the world. It is often quoted that this
architecture has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in the history of art in India.