Courtesy Photo
I saw the photos and read about the Golden Temple. Seeing its beauty in person is a privilege sought by Sikhs and others wanting to understand this religion based in Northern India.
I am with Exodus Adventure Travels in Amritsar, in the Indian state of Punjab. This tour—Foothills of the Himalaya—has included many religious temples and sites, including this marvel.
The temple is revered by Sikhs worldwide. Sri Harmandir Sahib, or Sri Darbar Sahib, is the proper name of the temple, but the Golden Temple derives from its gold plating.
The sacred pool, called the Sarovar, was completed in 1577. The vision of a central place of worship for the Sikh community was realized by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Sahib, who conceived the architectural design and oversaw its construction.
The construction of the temple began in 1581 and was completed in 1601. In 1604, the Adi Granth, the holy scripture of the Sikhs, was installed. The dedication and leadership of the early Gurus laid a strong foundation for the Golden Temple’s enduring spiritual significance.
Throughout its history, the Golden Temple has endured many trials, including periods of destruction and desecration at the hands of Mughal and Afghan invaders. A significant phase of reconstruction and beautification took place in the early 19th century, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh rebuilt the temple with marble and copper, and in 1830, he donated gold to gild it.
We first visit the community kitchen. This remarkable institution serves free, simple, vegetarian food to all visitors throughout the day, reflecting the core Sikh principles of equality and selfless service. It is the world’s largest free kitchen, regularly serving more than 100,000 meals a day.
It is said that the greatest feature of the Golden Temple is its inclusiveness. This principle of universal welcome is also reflected in its architectural design, which has entrances on all four sides. The design conveys the message that people from every direction and region are equally welcome to find spiritual peace on its sacred premises.
Around 9 p.m., tour participants can return to the Golden Temple to witness the Palki Sahib ceremony, where dozens of devotees form a human conveyor belt to carry the Granth Sahib, containing the Adi Granth, to the sanctum, where it is kept until the opening ceremony the following morning.
As I journey through Northern India, I learn more about the Sikh, Hindu, and Buddhist religions, and visit the beautiful Christ Church in Shimla.
For more information about this tour, click here.
