Place Details:
Golden temple, also known as Harminder Sahib, is the most important religious place for Sikhs and also the main attraction in Amritsar, which literally means the tank of the nectar of immortality. The temple or gurdwara is a symbol for equality and brotherhood. The temple welcomes everybody, irrespective of race or cast. More than 100,000 people visit this place every day and take part in the free meal (langar) and the community kitchen. Golden temple represents the heritage and rich history of the Sikhs.
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Legend has it that when Guru Ramdas, the third Sikh guru, heard about healing powers of Amrit Sarovar (holy tank), he asked his son to build a temple at the site. The foundation was laid by Guru Ramdas and completed by Guru Arjan Dev. The first installation at the temple was the Guru Granth Sahib (scripture of the Sikhs) and the first Head Priest (Granthi) was Baba Budha Ji.
The present structure was reconstructed by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia in 1764 and the upper floor of the Golden temple was covered in gold by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early nineteenth century. The architecture of the gurdwara is unique. The gurdwara is at a lower level than the surrounding area instead of being on a highland. There are four entrances to get into the place and they represent openness and acceptance. There are several memorial plaques, which commemorates past events in Sikh history, martyrs and saints. The gurdwara is also home to the Akal Takht (the throne of the timeless one), which was constructed by Guru Hargobindas (sixth Sikh Guru).
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If you are visiting this holy shrine, you need to wear a head cover, as a sign of respect. You can start you visit by visiting the information office first and then the Central Sikh Museum and the clock tower. Vaisakhi and the founding day of the Khalsa are celebrated in Harmandir Sahib with great fervour. Another important festival id Diwali, when the gurdwara is beautifully decorated with lamps.
BEST TIME TO VISIT AMRITSAR
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Amritsar is as given below. The best time to visit Amritsar is also specified.
