Harmandir Sahib
The Golden Temple (informal name in Sikhism)[1], is the most sacred and holiest shrine of Sikhism (the holy-of-holies of Sikhism). The official name of the Temple in Sikhism is: Harmandir Sahib[2][3] or Darbar Sahib[4], (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ) which means literally (Harmandir Sahib meaning: The Abode of God).[5] It is located in Amritsar (meaning: The Pool of the Nectar of Immortality)[6], the holiest city in Sikhism, in the state of Punjab, India. Sikh devotees, for whom the Temple is a symbol of infinite freedom and spiritual independence, come to the Temple from all over the world to enjoy its environs and offer their prayers.
| Harmandir Sahib[7] | |
| 260px The Harmandir Sahib[8] informally known as the Golden Temple in Sikhism[9][10] | |
| Building information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Amritsar |
| Country | India |
| Architect | Guru Arjan Dev |
| Client | Guru Arjan Dev & Sikhs |
| Construction start date | December 1588 C.E. |
| Completion date | August 1604 C.E. |
| Style | Sikh architecture |
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History
The fourth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Ram Das, excavated a tank (1577 C.E.) which subsequently became known as Amritsar (meaning: Pool of the Nectar of Immortality)[11][12] and gave its name to the city that grew around it. In due course, a splendid Sikh edifice, Harmandir Sahib (meaning: The Abode of God)[13], rose in the middle of this tank and became the supreme centre of Sikhism. Its sanctorum came to house the adi granth confining compositions of Sikh Gurus and other saints considered to have Sikh values and philosophies e.g. Baba Farid, Kabir, etc. The compilation of the Adi granth was started by the fifth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Arjun Dev.
The Amritsar area
Amritsar is located in the Majha region of the Punjab. Majha is also known as the Bari Doab, since it is the Doab (Do = two, ab = rivers) or the (fluvial) tract of land which lies between two of the five great rivers of the province, the Ravi and the Beas. As such, Majha lies in the heart of the ancient Punjab region, besides Amritsar it comprises Gurdaspur, Batala and Tarn Taran Sahib.
Construction of the Harmandir Sahib
Originally during 1574 C.E., a small lake in a thin forest, surrounded the site of the temple. The third of the six grand Mughals, emperor Akbar, who visited the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das at 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". It was during the leadership of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1581-1606), that 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 C.E.).[14][15] 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 that a disasters 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 C.E. 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 none was shown. Both forces met each other 5 miles outside Amritsar; Jahan Khan's army was destroyed.[16] He himself had his head decapitated by commander Sardar Dayal Singh.[17]
The Harmandir Sahib Complex and areas in its vicinity
The temple is surrounded by a large lake of water, 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 Abraham in the Old Testament — his 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 signifies a historical event or Sikh saint. Inside the temple there 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 war one and two. For a new visitor the first recommended place to visit is the information Office highlighted in the map and followed by visiting the Sikh Central museum near the main entrance and clock tower. Anyone who wants to enter the Harmandir Sahib may do so, irrespective of religion, colour, creed or sex. The only restrictions are that the person must not drink alcohol, eat meat or smoke cigarettes or other drugs while in the shrine. Visitors are, as well, expected to dress appropriately and everyone must cover their heads as a sign of respect, remove their shoes and wash their feet in the small pool of water as they enter the Harmandir Sahib premises. Head scarves are provided. All Sikh temples (Gurdwaras) in the world follow this traditional rule that everyone is welcome to enter. There are four doors to get into the Harmandir Sahib, meaning that Harmandir sahib is open to anyone.
In 1988, after Operation Black Thunder, a narrow peripheral strip of land (including buildings) was acquired by the government essentially to create a security belt. A large number of people were displaced and rehabilitated in the process.
However, the project met with a strong resistance from the moderate as well as militant Sikh organisations and the project had to be abandoned, after a senior Government engineer, connected with the project, was killed. 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 was popularly described 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 etherial beauty of the Golden Temple. This was done in quiet consultation with the SGPC. The pilgrims today can travel by foot in the Galliara; no vehicles are permitted.
Artwork and monument sculptures
Much of the present decorative gilding and marblework date from the early 1800s. All the gold and exquisite marble work were conducted under the patronage of Emperor Ranjit Singh, Maharaja of the Sikh Empire of the Punjab. The Darshani Deorhi Arch stands at the beginning of the causeway to the Golden Temple, it is 202 feet (62 m) high and 21 feet (6 m) in width. The Gold plating on the Golden temple was began by Emperor Ranjit Singh and was finished in 1830 C.E. The Sher-e-Punjab (Lion of the Punjab), was a heavy 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 due to Maharaja Ranjit Singh having 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.
In film and television
- The Temple is one of the locations of the movie Gandhi (1982).
- The Temple is one of the locations of Bride and Prejudice (2004).
- The Temple is also one of the places visited by the BBCs Michael Palin for the documentary 'Himalaya' (2004).
- The Temple is also in the Indian (Hindi) serial Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin (2005).
- The Temple is a highlight in the Bollywood movies Rang De Basanti starring Aamir Khan (2006).
- The Temple is one of the locations of Namastey London (2007).
Notable visits
- Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of the United Kingdom — October 14, 1997
- Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs — John Manley —January 2002
- Former Prime Minister of Canada — Jean Chrétien —October 2003
- Television Presenter and Actor — Michael Palin 2004
- Indian President — A.P.J. Abdul Kalam —August 2004
- Indian Prime Minister — Manmohan Singh —September 2004
- British Foreign Secretary — Jack Straw —February 2005
- Ambassador Ernesto Carlos Alvarez — Ambassador of Argentina (October 2007).
- Ambassador Miguel Angel Ramirez — Ambassador of Cuba (October 2007).
- Ambassador Carlos Abad — Ambassador of Ecuador (October 2007).
- Ambassador Rogelio Granguillhome — Ambassador of Mexico (October 2007).
- Ambassador Hans Dannenberg — Ambassador of Dominican Republic (October 2007).
- Ambassador Milena Santana Ramirez — Ambassador of Venezuela (October 2007).
- Mr. J.Ronald Gajraj — High Commissioner of Guyana (October 2007).
- Mr. Ricardo Leon — Charge De Affairs (CDA) of Chile (October 2007).
- Mr. Minister Genaro Pappalardo — Charge De Affairs (CDA) of Paraguay (October 2007).
- Mr. Carlos Alberto Yrigoyen — Charge De Affairs (CDA) of Peru (October 2007).
- Mayor Ken Livingstone — Mayor of London (November 2007).
- Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso — The 14th Dalai Lama (November 2007).
Celebrations at Harmandir Sahib
.JPG)
One of the most important festivals is Vaisakhi, which is celebrated in the second week of April (13th usually). 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, 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) and fireworks are discharged. During these special occasions and dates there are an estimated 1-2 million pilgrims visiting the Holy shrine.
Most Sikh people visit Amritsar and the Harmandir Sahib at least once during lifetime, particularly during special occasions in their life.
Reaching the Golden Temple from abroad
For the global Sikh pilgrim or international tourist visitor the fastest way to reach the Golden Temple is by air-travel. The holy city of Amritsar, where the Golden Temple is located, has a rapidly expanding modern Airport called, Amritsar International Airport. The airport can be reached direct, by the international traveller, from most major cities of the world including, London, New York and Toronto. Moreover, there is a rapidly expanding array of international hotels in the holy city that can be booked for overnight stays. Lonely Planet Bluelist 2008 has voted the Golden Temple as one of the world’s best spiritual sites.[18]
Recent events
- On July 6, 2005 the SGPC decided to install closed circuit television cameras around the Harmandir Sahib Complex and will be adding more security due to other attacks in India on other religious areas.
Operation Blue Star
Between June 3 and June 6, 1984, the Indian Army led by General Kuldip Singh Brar brought troops into the Golden Temple to arrest a separatist militant named Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who sought to establish an independent Sikh state in the Punjab province. He and some followers took refuge in the Golden Temple, and resisted the police who sought to arrest him for suspected acts of terrorism. Indira Gandhi and President Zail Singh ordered the army to arrest him. The code name for this operation was Operation Blue Star.
After fierce fighting between Bhindranwale's side and the soldiers. Bhindranwale's side were killed in the fighting along with many soldiers. An official account tallies the deaths of 83 soldiers and 492 civilians[19]. However, many journalists abroad and in India consider the pilgrim dead toll to be much higher up to 2000. The Golden Temple 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: on October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh. The chief of the Indian Army, General Arun Shridhar Vaidya and most other officers involved in the planning or assault on the Golden Temple were also killed and assassinated. The assassination of Mrs Gandhi gave rise to the Delhi anti-Sikh riot with estimates of up to 4,000 innocent Sikhs being murdered. Amnesty International is one of the Global Human rights bodies that is pursuing and trying to bring to trial of any Delhi police or politicians that were involved in planning of the murders.[20] Most expect future cases to be tried at The Hague similar to Slobodan Milosevic trials held on crimes against humanity charges.
Sonia Gandhi in 1998 officially apologised for the assault on the holy Golden temple, as a great mistake.[21]
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 & work).
Photo gallery
- Golden temple Akal Takhat.JPG
Golden Temple main Building with Akal Takht Sahib
- Golden Temple West Entrace.JPG
Golden Temple from the North Entrance gate near Ath-sath Tirath (68 Sacred Places) (Point 15 on map)
- Baba Atal Amritsar.JPG
Gurdwara Baba Atal, Golden Temple complex Amritsar (Point 25 on map)
- Nishan sahib golden temple.JPG
Nishaan Sahib (Flagstaffs) (Point 7 on map)
Harmandir Sahib Complex
Harmandir Sahib
- DSC00009.JPG
The Entrance to the Golden Temple as seen from the inside of the complex
Panorama of the main building and Sarovar
- 100 1202f.jpg
North Entrance gate near Ath-sath Tirath (68 Sacred Places) (Point 15 on map).
The Causeway to the Golden temple (Point 10 on map)
- 100 1194.jpg
- 100 1186d.jpg
The East entrance gate to Golden temple (see map)
Harmandir, circa 1870
- Golden Temple Amritsar 1987.JPG
Golden Temple Amritsar 1987, Amritsar.
- Guarding the Golden Temple, 1973.JPG
Guarding the Golden Temple, Amritsar.
Langar Canteen, inside Golden Temple.
Other gurdwaras
- Akal Takht, Amritsar, India
- Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal, Pakistan
- Bangla Sahib, Delhi, India
- Hazur Sahib, Nanded, India
- Patna Sahib, Patna, India
- Damdama Sahib, Bathinda, India
- Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur, India
- Sri Hemkunt Sahib,
See also
- Most holy place
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- ↑ Harban Singh and Punjabi University (1998). Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Punjabi University. ISBN 817380530X.
- ↑ Harban Singh and Punjabi University (1998). Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Punjabi University. ISBN 817380530X.
- ↑ http://www.harmandirsahib.com/
- ↑ http://www.harmandirsahib.com/
- ↑ Golden Temple, Punjabi University, Parm Barkshish Singh, Devinder Kumar Verma, ISBN: 8173805695.
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ http://www.harmandirsahib.com/
- ↑ http://www.harmandirsahib.com/
- ↑ Harban Singh and Punjabi University (1998). Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Punjabi University. ISBN 817380530X.
- ↑ http://www.sikhs.org/summary.htm
- ↑ Golden Temple, Punjabi University, Parm Barkshish Singh, Devinder Kumar Verma, ISBN: 8173805695.
- ↑ [2]
- ↑ Golden Temple, Punjabi University, Parm Barkshish Singh, Devinder Kumar Verma, ISBN: 8173805695.
- ↑ http://allaboutsikhs.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11
- ↑ Harban Singh and Punjabi University (1998). Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Punjabi University. ISBN 817380530X.
- ↑ Volume 2: Evolution of Sikh Confederacies (1708-1769), By Ram Gupta.
- ↑ Volume 2: Evolution of Sikh Confederacies (1708-1769), By Ram Gupta.
- ↑ [3]
- ↑ [4]
- ↑ http://thereport.amnesty.org/eng/Regions/Asia-Pacific/India
- ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/s/w_asia/50469.stm
External links
All links retrieved December 12, 2007
- Listen to Live Radio From Golden Temple
- AmritSarovar.com
- Amritsar Portal
- Amritsar Paath
- Sikhnet.com
- SacredSites.com
- Sgpc.net
- A journalist’s report on his short tourism experience of Punjabi Sikh shrines
- Pictures of the Harmandir Sahib Pictures of the Harmandir Sahib from a backpackers trip around India.
- Photos of the Golden Temple
- Vídeo Tour the Temple[5]
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| Philosophy: | Beliefs and principles | Underlying values | Prohibitions | Technique and methods | Other observations |
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