Golden temple , I think all of us know about Lord's place , place where God lives, whose doors are open for all everytime without any discrimination. Lakhs of people blessed at this holy place. Lakhs of people are Guru Ka langer daily. There is a machine for making chapati.
Amritsar is famous as " Sifti ka Ghar ".
Tousist Hub Amritsar is so popular because of Golden Temple. Many foreign tourist visited Amritsar because of Golden Temple.
Sikh people and people from other religions consider Golden Temple as a worship place , they have many religious beliefs in Golden temple.
Today I will tell you about History , construction of Golden Temple.
Kar seva of of Gold around Harmandir Sahib was done by Famous ruler of North Maharaja Ranjit Singh , a devout Sikh who did much to embellish the Golden Temple.
Amritsar founded in 1577 by Shri Guru Ram Das Ji fourth Guru of Sikhism. It was built on a site donated by Mughal emperor Akbar.
In heart of Amritsar there is holy place Golden Temple , first Takhat out of 5 takhat of Sikh religion. This is Sikh community 's holiest shrine surrounding by a maze of lanes and 18 fortified gate ways. In 1984 Golden temple was badly damaged during army attack.
Amritsar city was developed by fourth Guru Shri Guru Ramdas Ji in 1577 but Golden Temple Shri Harmandir Sahib Ji founded by Fifth Guru Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji in 1588.
The foundation stone was done by Muslim saint Mian Mir Ji December 1588. It gives message of humanity , all religions are equal. Golden temple has four gates in all directions to show all religions , people are same.
To develop city Shri Guru Ramdas Ji invited 52 traders from different sectors to settle there and make the market in heart of city. These business traders were from nearby places like kasur, lahore, Patti etc.
The temple complex is actually a city within city.
The main entrance is known as Darshani Darwaza which also houses the Central Sikh Museum large collection of paintings , coins, manuscript which give picture of Sikh history.
After entering Darshani Darwaza steps lead down to the Parikarma which means marble path way encircles the Amrit Sarovar means Pool of Nectar
Beacuse of this Amrit Sarovar city name is Amritsar. Anciently Amritsar was famous as Randaspur.
Several holy and historic sites line the Parikarma like
Dukh Bhanjani Ber
Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh Ji
Ber Baba Budha ji
Akal Takhat sahib
Guru ka langar
1. Dukh Bhanjani Ber: It was believed that holy nectar under this Ber have miraculous powers for healing diseases. Ancient there was a couple Rajni and her husband. Husband was suffered from a skin disease Korah whose treatment is not possible. Villagers expel them from village. They went to forests and saw a small pond from which crow bathed and flew as a white Bagla. When her husband bath in pond all skin disease removed. People believe Dukh Bhanjani Ber is that place.
2. Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh ji : Shaheed Baba Deep Singh fought with Mughals because they disrespect Harmandir Sahib. Baba Deep Singh ji left for Harmandir Sahib. In a way Baba Deep Singh was beheaded while fighting. Baba ji held his head in left hand and with right hand he swayed Khanda and continue fighting with enemies. Such miracle never seen in history. Baba Deep Singh ji reached Harminder sahib and devoted his head and complete the pledge. That place is in Parikarma of Harmandir Sahib.
3. Ber Baba Budha Ji: Baba Budha Ji first Granthi of Shri Harmandir Sahib usually sat under this tree named Ber. Now near this Ber you can take Pinni Prasad, Prasad in Packets.
4. Akal Takhat sahib : First Takhat of Sikh religion built by Sixth Guru Shri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji in 1589 to 1601 to organise Sikh community into political entity. It is seat of the Sikh religious order.
5. Guru ka langar : A free kitchen where all people take their simple meal while sitting on floor without any discrimination. Even Mughal emperor Akbar aslo sat in a line on floor to take the meal. No visit is considered truly complete without a meal at the Guru Ka langar. It has capacity to feed 300000 people in a day. World ' s largest free kitchen.
The notion of kar -seva is an important part of Sikh order. Tasks like sweeping the temple precincts, cooking at the langar, looking after pilgrims ' shoes are enthusiastically performed by volunteers.
From dawn till late night about 9:45 the temple echoes with the music of ragis, musicians to sing verses from Holy Book Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Every visitor entering Hari - Mandir is given sweet Prasad known as Deg. After entering Hari - mandir sahib you feel like you enter in heaven , lot of calm , a place where miracles happen.
Features of Shri Harmandir Sahib:
1. In Parikarma there are Big LED to see the inner view and listen the baani of Golden temple with all meaning displayed on LED.
2. Four drinking water seva in four corners of Parikarma.
3. World ' s largest kitchen which offers food to 300000 people daily.
4. Golden temple is situated in Amrit Sarovar. Golden temple is surrounded by Amrit Sarovar all around.
5. For stay many Sarah are available. In saragarhi Sarah you must do online booking.
6. Avoid weekand, visit in middle of week so you blessed easily in about 1 hour only.
7. Try to stay one night and enjoy the night view and also see the morning opening around 4 AM.
8. Don't forget to take holy bath in Amrit saravor.
9. Do shopping in Temple complex , buy famous amritsari suit, jutti , phulkari etc.
10. Enjoy Amritsari kulcha, lassi etc.
