Harmandir, the Golden Temple of the Sikhs
The Golden Temple is situated in Amritsar, located in Northern Punjab, India, which is close to the border of Pakistan. It is the central gurdwara, or worship place, for all Sikhs in the world. Its proper name is Harmandir, which means "Temple of God". It is known as the Golden Temple because of its unique features. The gurdwara is constructed of white marble overlaid with gold leaf and stands in the center of a sarovar, or pool of fresh, clear, reflective water which is fed by the Ganges River. Pilgrims bathe and perform ablution in the sacred waters of the tank which is known for its healing properties. Visitors gather to worship, listen to hymns, and hear the scripture of the Guru Granth read, inside the gurdwara. It has four entrances, one on each side, which are a symbolic welcome to all persons regardless of caste, class, color, or creed. A bridge extends from the temple to the Akal Takhat, the governing body of religious authority for Sikhs. The Guru Granth is kept in the Akal Takhat after hours.
Langar is a free sanctified meal which is prepared daily and served at the temple. It is available to the tens of thousands pilgrims who visit daily. All cooking of food and maintenance of the golden temple complex is carried out by worshipers, who volunteer their services. All cost is provided for by donations.
History of Harmandir
1574 - Akbar, a Mogal emperor gifted the site to the Bibi Bhani, a daughter of the third Guru Amar Das. He gave it to her as a wedding gift when she married Jetha who later became Raam Das the Sikhs' fourth guru.
1577- Guru Raam Das, began excavation of a fresh water tank, and construction of the temple site.
1588 - Guru Arjun Dev, the son of Guru Raam Das and the fifth guru of the Sikhs, over-saw the laying of the temple's foundation.
1604 - Guru Arjun Dev completed the temple's construction. He also compiled the sacred scripture Adi Granth, and installed the Granth in the temple. He appointed a Sikh named Baba Buddha to be the caretaker of the Granth.
1760 - Jahan Khan, an Afghani general of Ahmend Shah Abdali, attacked the temple. The damages sustained resulted in major renovations.
1830 - Maharajah Ranjit Singh sponsored marble inlay, gold plating, and gilding of the temple.
June 1984 - The Indian Government sent tanks into the temple complex resulting in the massacre of thousands of innocent worshipers . The fighting which ensued defaced the entire complex, damaged the Akal Takhat, and desecrated sacred texts.
1993 - Karan Bir Singh Sidhu, a prominent Sikh, headed the Galliara renovation project of the Akal Takhat and the Golden Temple Harmandir complex.
