Golden Temple History | Why It Is So Famous In The World?

GOLDEN TEMPLE HISTORY | WHY IT IS SO FAMOUS IN THE WORLD

ABOUT GOLDEN TEMPLE

The Golden Temple, a pride of Punjab, is located in the city of Amritsar in the northwestern Indian state. It is also a source of pride for India. The meaning of Golden Temple is 'abode of God.” It is also known as ‘Harmandir Sahib’ or ‘Darbar Sahib.’ This spiritual site of Sikhism, situated in the heart of Amritsar and about 30 km from the border with Pakistan, is the Golden Temple. If you are in North India, it’s unlikely that Amritsar will be on your list. Whether you are religious or non-religious, this sacred place in Punjab will certainly connect you to the soul. This site inspires much curiosity among travelers, prompting questions about why it is referred to as the Golden Temple, why it is considered a sacred place, and why it is surrounded by a lake.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS TO REACH THE GOLDEN TEMPLE?

Being one of the famous tourist destinations, reaching Amritsar has lots of options.

By Air

Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport is located at a distance of 12 km from the city. There are daily flights to and from major cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Chandigarh. Being one of the International airports, there is direct connectivity to and from London, Dubai.

By Road                                

Being located on the national highway, Amritsar is well connected by road. There are regular buses, including Private and Government runs, to and from Ambala, Patiala, Chandigarh, and Delhi. Bus fare lies between 500 INR to 1500 INR, depending on the Bus. For transportation within the city, there are regular rickshaws and buses available.

By Train

The Amritsar railway station is the junction to major cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chandigarh, and Delhi. In some cases, one can reach Delhi and then a further 6 6-hour train journey to Amritsar. From Mumbai, there is the Golden Temple mail express train that runs straight to Amritsar. From Amritsar railway station, the distance to the Golden Temple is around 2 km.

HISTORY OF GOLDEN TEMPLE OR HARMANDIR SAHIB    

In the history of the Golden Temple, this Gurudwara is built around man made pool that was completed by Guru Ram Das in 1577. Guru Arjan, the fifth guru of Sikhism, requested Sai Mir Mian Mohammed, a Muslim Pir of Lahore, to lay its foundation stone in 1589. In 1604, Guru Arjan placed a copy of Adi Granth in Harmandir Sahib, calling the site Ath Sath Tirath. The Gurudwara was repeatedly rebuilt by the Sikhs after it became a target of persecution and was also destroyed several times by the Mughal Empire. Later, Maharaja Ranjit Singh ,after founding the Sikh Empire, rebuilt it with marble and copper in 1809, and covered this place with gold foil in 1830, therefore, it became, ”Golden Temple”.

This is one of such places, where several fights have been performed against Sikhism. Some of these are, Singh Sabha movement, the Punjabi Suba movement, Operation Blue Star, and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Several lives have been lost in this protest. The historical story from that time around this place will give you goosebumps.

MY JOURNEY TO AMRITSAR FROM MUMBAI

Everything started in Mumbai, Maharashtra, when we were all in a hurry to catch the Golden Temple mail express. The train journey lasted nearly 30 hours from Mumbai. This was my first tour organized by an unknown tour operator, even though he was from the same city. We hardly knew each other. Traveling with strangers for the first time, especially in another state where everything was unfamiliar, made my dream come true as a fearless traveler. It is said that sometimes, ‘the journey is better than the destination.’ After a long 30-hour journey, our train was about to reach Amritsar. One hour before arriving, there was complete fog outside, which caused the train to go very slowly. Until then, I had been excited and had started reading more about this stunning place. Amritsar is a complete package of rich history, architecture, and devoted followers. As I drew closer to my destination, something was happening inside me, and I was unaware of what it was; maybe it was an eagerness to see the alluring Golden Temple.

FIRST GLIMPSE OF AMRITSAR RAILWAY STATION WITH EVERYONE

It was 7 am when we reached the Amritsar railway station. The temperature made my body shiver; it was the winter season. We headed to Hotel Nayyar and got refreshed. None of us wanted to waste time in the hotel; instead, we all decided to spend more time at the Temple. I left my luggage in the room and headed toward our destination. The distance was no more than 2 km from the hotel. A shared rickshaw from the hotel dropped us near the main entrance. After arriving at the entrance, we removed our shoes and placed them in the shoe rack located to the left of the entrance gate. Before entering through the main entrance, one must cover their head with a scarf; those without a scarf can purchase a headscarf here at a very cheap rate. Everyone needs to wash their feet in the holy lake opposite the main entrance before entering the Temple. As we walked closer to the entrance of the Gurudwara, the sight of colorful people of faith from different nationalities was heartwarming.

FIRST ENTRANCE OF GOLDEN TEMPLE

NIGHT VIEW OF ENTRANCE GATE

The first glimpse of the Temple from the holy lake, with its golden plate, was astonishing. The area surrounding the lake was a bit crowded, but there was no need to stand in a queue here. Walking barefoot on the white marble was refreshing and invigorating. It took us about 4 to 5 minutes to walk through the crowd to reach the main Temple, known as the Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib, where the holy book is kept.

 

The only part where we had to wait in a long queue was to enter the temple itself; it took us around 2 hours to get inside. The line was packed, likely because everyone was eager to see the holy book. The Temple is situated in the middle of the holy lake, so visitors are reminded not to litter. The lake is home to many hungry fish, which are both golden and black in color, making it an exciting attraction for children. Many people also take dips in the holy lake.

 

When we stepped inside the temple, we were struck by the magnificent structure covered in golden accents. We spent an hour sitting by the lake, admiring the beauty of the Golden Temple..

HUNGRY FISHES IN HOLY LAKE

GOLDEN AND BLACK FISH

GOLDEN HOURS OF GOLDEN TEMPLE

I recommend witnessing both the sunrise and sunset at the Golden Temple. The views during these times are truly splendid. As the sun begins to set, the reflection of the Golden Temple can be seen in the holy lake. There are no time constraints here, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy the surroundings. You can even lie a mat on the marble near the lake and admire the charming Golden Temple throughout the night. At night, the golden hues of the temple are beautifully reflected in the water, creating a stunning sight.

GOLDEN TEMPLE REFLECTION IN HOLY LAKE

MAIN ENTRANCE OF TEMPLE WHERE HOLY BOOK IS KEPT

SHRINE OF GOLDEN TEMPLE IN HOLY LAKE

INSIDE THE GOLDEN TEMPLE

MOST INTERESTING PART OF THE GOLDEN TEMPLE

Golden Temple Langar

LANGAR FOOD AT LANGAR HALL WITH MY MATES

One of the important features of a Gurudwara is its langar hall. The langar hall is a communal kitchen that offers free vegetarian meals to all visitors. The Golden Temple is renowned for having the largest free community kitchen in the world. Meals are available 24 hours a day, and on average, 100,000 people are served daily. The food served is simple yet delicious.

Volunteering

Volunteering in the Golden Temple’s kitchen is the most exciting part here. You can dedicate a few hours a day to the pilgrims by washing dishes in the kitchen, cooking the meal, or serving the food. Dozens of visitors stand for volunteer in the kitchen daily.

OTHER PLACES TO EXPLORE NEAR GOLDEN TEMPLE

**Langar Hall**: Visitors should stop by the Langar Hall at the temple and consider volunteering in the kitchen.

 

**Jallianwala Bagh**: After visiting the Golden Temple, you can take a 1 km walk to reach Jallianwala Bagh. This historical garden serves as a memorial of national importance, preserving the memories of those who were wounded and killed during the tragic events that took place here. The garden features some old trees and buildings in the background, and you can still see bullet marks on the walls. The garden is open from 7 AM to 6 PM.

 

**Akal Takht**: Akal Takht is one of the five seats of Sikh authority and is located within the Harmandir Sahib complex. The structure of the Akal Takht is remarkable.

 

**Wagah Border**: The Wagah Border is 28 km from the Golden Temple, and shared cabs and buses are available for transport. Each evening, the Wagah Border ceremony marks the closing of the border between India and Pakistan. This ceremony features an elaborate display by both the Indian and Pakistani armies, and it is a spectacle not to be missed. The parade starts at 5:15 PM, and the border is open for visitors from 10 AM to 5 PM.

PLACES TO STAY AROUND GOLDEN TEMPLE

You can stay within Dharmashala inside the Golden Temple, but most often it is a bit crowded, and you will hardly get a bed. For foreigners, they have provided a separate dormitory for their stay. 
There are Sarais available near to Temple, which are so economical, one can also book online before reaching.

There are many hotels available at a distance of 2 to 4 km from the Golden Temple, and the cost varies from Deluxe to economic.

We had stayed at Hotel Nayyar, 1.5 km from the Golden Temple.   

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GOLDEN TEMPLE?

The best time to visit Amritsar is between November to March, when the weather is comparatively pleasant and ideal for sightseeing and visiting the Golden Temple. Sometimes the temperature touches the freezing point.

Inside the Temple, one should witness the sunrise and sunset views of the Temple.

While visiting Amritsar following food you should never miss;

Langar food at Temple and Dal Makhani, Chole and Paratha in the Punjabi Thali in Amritsar. There are small Dhabas on the way selling famous Punjabi Thali. Though the food is veg, the taste is delicious.

THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE YOU VISIT GOLDEN TEMPLE

• There is no time limit at Golden Temple, one can spend much more time as per own convenience, so visit it during day and night time.
• Photography inside the main Temple is prohibited.
• Washroom facilities are available near Dharmashala inside the Temple, so no need to worry.
• Do visit Wagaha Border, one should never miss the parade at Wagah Border, reach before 4 pm to get entry.
• Do not carry unnecessary stuff in your bag while visiting the Wagah Border, because the security force won't allow it.  
• Do not litter the Lake and the area around the Golden Temple.