The Harimandir Sahib (meaning Temple of God) is also commonly known as the Golden Temple or Darbar
Sahib (Divine Court). It is situated in the city of Amritsar in Punjab (India). The Golden Temple is a living symbol
of the spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs. It is a source of inspiration for all Sikhs and their
chief place of pilgrimage.
The temple with its glistening gold covered exterior stands in the middle of a
square tank with each side about 150m with an 18m path on all four sides. A 60m causeway traverses the
pool to reach the Temple itself which is 12m square and rests on a 20m square platform in the middle of
The Pool of Nectar. The Harmandir Sahib has entrances and doors on all four sides. Guru Arjun Dev
exclaimed; "My faith is for the people of all castes and all creeds from whichever direction they come and
to whichever direction they bow."
Guru Amar Das the Third Sikh Guru asked Ram Das (who would go on to become the Fourth Sikh Guru)
to build a central place of congregation for the Sikhs. Guru Ram Das started excavation work in 1577
during his lifetime. Guru Arjun Dev the Fifth Sikh Guru completed excavation of the Tank known as
Amritsar (The Pool of Nectar) in 1588. Guru Arjun Dev then started construction of the Temple building
itself which was finally completed in 1601. The first edition of the Holy Book of the Sikhs The Guru
Granth Sahib was installed there in 1604 with Baba Buddha as the first granthi (caretaker of the book).
The last Sikh Guru to live in Amritsar was the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind. In 1664 Guru Tegh Bahadur
the Ninth Sikh Guru visited The Golden Temple but was refused entry by the corrupt temple caretakers,
The Masands. The Golden Temple has always been a rallying point for Sikhs throughout it's history.
Around 1740 Massa Ranghar, the ruler of Amritsar desecrated the Temple by using it as a dancing hall.
He was killed by Mahtab Singh. In 1761 Ahmed Shah Abdali blew up the Temple and filled in the Sacred
Tank with refuse. The great Sikh martyr Baba Deep Singh laid down his life in revenge. The construction
of the Golden Temple as it appears today was begun in 1764 when Jassa Singh Ahluwalia laid the
foundation stone. Many of the doors and domes were covered with copper sheets overlaid with gold during
the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Copyright � 1995 GuruMustuk S. Khalsa You are visitor number- 
Song of The Khalsa -
The evolution of the spirit of Khalsa, by M.S.S. Livtar Singh Khalsa
Photographs of the Golden Temple and Gurus- by GuruMustuk S. Khalsa.
Beautiful poetry relating to Sikhism- by various Sikh authors.
GuruMustuk S. Khalsa
[email protected]
This Home Page was created, Friday, November 17, 1995
Most recent revision Wednesday, November 29, 1995