Golden Temple ( Punjab)

Location: Amritsar, Punjab
Affilliation: Sikhism
Completed by: Fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1589
Also known as: Harmandir sahib or Darbar sahib
One of the most spritual place in India, Golden temple is the holiest shrines in Sikhism and alive with religious, fervour and sacredness. Located right in the heart of Amritsar. It is the symbol of equlity and brotherhood.
(Map of  The Golden Temple)
History of the temple:
The land that became golden temple was chosen by Guru Amar Das - the third guru of Sikh tradition.
Son of Guru Amar Das , Guru Ram Das founded the town that come to known as 'Ramdaspur'. With the help of Lord Buddha he started completing the pool.
Ramdaspur town exapnded during the time of Guru Arjan financed by donation and constructed by voluntary work. The town grew to become the city of Amritsar.
Guru Arjan installed the scripture of Sikhism inside the temple in 1604 & established Amritsar as a primary Sikh pilgrimage destination.
Architecture:
The architecture of the temple is described as a mixture of Indo-Islamic Mughal & the Hindu Rajput architecture.
The temple stands in the midst of beautiful water body called Amrit sarovar. It is a two stories structure. The lower level of the shrine is built out of marble, the upper level is covered with gold panels. A 750kg gold giled dome sits at the top of the structure. The doors of the shrine are covered in gold foil. When you enter the shrine you'll see that the shrine are adorned with floral motifs & fescos. There are 4 entrances to the temple but only one to enter to the Gurudwara. 
You can see a clock tower, a museum and a community kitchen which is called a Langar.
Everyday thousands of people are fed free food from Langar in which eveyone sits on the ground and enjoys the simple yet vegetarian meal.
(Roof of the temple)
( Interior design pic.1)
(Pic.2)
(Pic.3)
 
( Community Kitchen or Langar pic.1)
(Pic.2)
(Pic.3)
( Pic.of the Clock tower)
(Pic.of the Museum)
Daily Rituals:
There are two rituals performed in the Golden temple as per Sikh tradition.
(1) Opening ritual called Prakash which means 'light'. In this ritual Guru Granth Sahib is taken to his bedroom, carried on head by beautiful flower decorated palki.
(2) Closing ritual called Sukhashan means 'Comfort Position'. At night after devotional kirtans & ardas, the Guru Granth Sahib closed carried on head to Akal Takht which is his bedroom.
(Ardas time)
(Evening view of the Golden Temple)
(Performing closing rituals i.e Sukhashan)

How to reach:
By air: Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, 10km away from Amritsar.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Amritsar railway station. The distance between railway station & temple is 2km.
Timings: 4am to 11pm everyday
Entry fee: Free
Note: You need to dress appropriately to enter the temple.you should remove your shoes & cover your head using scarf as a sign of respect before entering to the temple.
( Night view of the temple)

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