Golden Temple: The Symbol Of Brotherhood And Equality

 

INTRODUCTION

We all know, the Golden Temple is the center of religious place for the Sikhs but do we know the history that the Golden Temple has. Do you know that what was the old name of the Golden Temple and why it was designated as the Golden Temple? There is no need to worry, this article will answer your queries. Let's start exploring the article.

ABOUT

• The Golden temple is located in Amritsar, Punjab, India. Golden Temple is also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib or Sri Darbar Sahib.
•  This is not only known as the religious place of the Sikhs but also a symbol of brotherhood and equality.  
• Every person has always welcomed here whether the person is Sikh or not. There is no discrimination against the other religious person by the Sikhs.
• The Golden Temple is built at a low land level than the surrounded land. Its four entrances represent that people from all four directions are welcome with a great heart.
•  It displays the unique glory and heritage of the Sikhs. The interior and exterior of the Golden Temple represent the magnificent task done by the Architects.
• The fifth guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, laid the bricks around the Sarovar on December 15, 1588. He also starts the construction of the Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib).

HISTORY

• The Sri Harmandir Sahib gain the name of Golden Temple because of its scenic beauty and golden coating.
• The fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan Sahib, gave birth to the idea of constructing a central worship place for Sikhs and he was the person who designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).
•  The third guru, Sri Guru Amar Dass Ji, advised the fourth guru, Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, to dig an Amrit Sarovar (holy Tank) of the golden temple in 1577 AD.
• But the execution of Sir Guru Amar Dass Ji’s idea was executed by the Guru Ramdas Sahib under the supervision of Baba Budha Ji.
• The land for the Sri Harmandir Sahib was acquired by the earlier Guru Sahibs on payment or free of cost from the Zamindars of native villages.
• There was also a provision to establish a town. And both the construction of Sarovar and the town was started in 1570 and ended in 1577 AD.

CONSTRUCTION

• The Guru Ram Das Sahib bought the land on payment from the Zamindars (landlords) of the native.
• The foundation of the golden temple was laid by a Muslim saint, Hazrat Mian Mir Ji of Lahore on 1st of Magh,1645 Bikrmi Samvat (December 1588).
• Guru Arjan Sahib was directly supervised and he was assisted by popular Sikh personalities like Baba Budha Ji, Bhai Gurdas Ji, Bhai Sahlo Ji, and many other devoted Sikhs.
•   Its four entry and exit gates in respective to all four directions make it exceptional in the Hindu temples because the Hindu temples have only one entry and exit gate.
• It was believed that it was made accessible by all people from all directions irrespective of their caste, creed sex, and religion.
• The construction work was completed in 1601 AD on Bhadoon Sudi 1st (August/September) and in 1604, Guru Arjan Sahib installed the newly created Guru Granth Sahib in Sri Harmandir Sahib and Baba Budha Ji was appointed as the first Granthi i.e., who read the Guru Granth Sahib.
• Later it gained the status of “Ath Sath Tirath” and now the Sikh nation had its own Tirath, a pilgrimage center.
• The Sri Harmandir Sahib is built on a 67ft square platform in the center of Sarovar(Holy Tank) and the temple is covered 45ft square area.
• The Darshani Deori (an arch)stands at the at the end of the shore of the causeway. The arch of the door frame is about 10ft in height and 8ft-6inches in breath and decorated by the artistic style.
• The door opens on the causeway that leads directly to the main building of Sri Harmandir Sahib which is 202feet in length and 21 feet in width.
• The bridge is connected to the 13 feet wide ‘Pardakshna’ (circumambulatory path). It runs around the main shrine and it leads to the ‘Har ki Paure’ (Steps to God)
• On the first floor of the ‘Har ki Pauri’, there is continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib.
• The front of the Sri Harmandir Sahib which faces the bridge is decorated with repeated cusped arches and the roof of the first floor is at the height of 26feet and 9 inches.
• The is a 4 feet high parapet that rises on the top first floor on all sides which has also four ‘Mamtees’ on the four corners and exactly on the top of the central hall.
• On the top of the first floor, there is a small square room with three gates. A regular recitation of Guru Granth Sahib is held there.
• A low fluted ‘Gumbaz’ (dome) having a lotus petal motif in relief at the base inverted lotus at the top which supports the ‘Kalash’ having a beautiful “Chhatri” at the end.
• Its architecture shows the unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction and this is considered as the best architectural specimens of the world.
• It is also quoted as this architecture has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in the history of art in India.

GURUS OF SIKH RELIGION

Guru Nanak Dev Ji- 1st Guru

Guru Angad Dev Ji- 2nd Guru

Guru Amar Das Ji- 3rd Guru

Guru Raam Das Ji- 4th Guru

Guru Arjun Dev Ji- 5th Guru

Guru Har Govind Ji- 6th Guru

Guru Har Rai Ji- 7th Guru

Guru Har Krishan Ji- 8th Guru

Guru Teg Bahadar Ji- 9th Guru

Guru Gobind Singh Ji- 10th Guru

 

DAILY ROUTINE

• With the opening of doors of Sri Harmandir Sahib, the singing of Gurbani Kirtan (hymns) starts and continues till the closing of the doors.
• Devotees along with Gurudwara Staff clean the Sri Harmandir Sahib after the departure of the Palki Sahib(palanquin) who carries Sri Guru Granth Sahib to the Akal Takhat Sahib.
• During this process, devotees sing the Gurbani Kirtan in devotional tones.
• After purifying the place, rugs are spread on which the Peera Sahib is placed to install the Sri Guru Granth Sahib in the early morning.
• Karah Prasad is distributed among the devotees after the completion of the Ardas(prayer).
• After the Rehras(Evening Scripture) the weapons belonging to Guru Sahib and Martyr Sikhs are displayed at about 8.00 pm at Sri Akal Takhat.

Langar in the Golden Temple

GURU KA LANGAR

• The Guru ka Langar was initiated by the Guru Nanak Dev Ji and established by the 3rd Guru Sri Guru Amar Dass Ji at Goindwal.
• Even the Mughal Emperor Akbar eat the langar with the ordinary people.
• The institution of Guru Ka Langar is served by the community in many ways. It ensured the participation of women and children in a task of service for mankind.
• Women have the responsibility of preparing the meals and the children have the responsibility of serving the food to the pangat.
• Langar teaches us a lesson on the etiquette of sitting and eating in a community situation and which played an important role in priorities the thought of equality of all human beings.
• Everyone is welcomed to share the Langar irrespective of the cast, religion, creed, and sex.
• Every week several families volunteer to prepare and provide the langar. All the preparation, cooking, serving, and washing are done by the volunteers, and caterers are not allowed.
• On average 1,00,000 devotees and tourists take langar in the community kitchen of the Golden Temple and this number gets doubled on special occasions.
• On average, more than 100 quintals of wheat flour, 25 quintal cereals, 10 quintal rice, 5000-liter milk, 10 quintal sugar, 5 quintals pure ghee are used in a day.
• Nearly 100 LPG gas cylinder are used to prepare the meals of 100’s of employees and devotees shows their services to the kitchen.

IMPORTANCE OF LANGAR TO SIKHISM

• Bhai Desa Singh said in his Rehitnama that “A Sikh who is well to do” must look to the needs of his poor neighbor and whenever they see a traveler and pilgrim from a foreign country must serve them devotedly.
• Maharaja Ranjit Singh made grants of jagirs to gurdwaras for the maintenance of Langar and funding for gurdwaras was created by the other Sikh rulers as well.
•  And now, every gurdwara has langar which is supported by the community in general and in small gurdwaras, cooked food is received from different households and no pilgrim or visitor will miss the food at the mealtime in a gurdwara.
• According to the religious obligation, a Sikh has to contribute one-tenth of his earnings for the welfare of the community and contribute service of his hand as well.

ATTACKS ON GOLDEN TEMPLE

• Golden Temple was destroyed twice. Once by Mughals in the 16th century and the second time it was destroyed by Indian army troops on the orders of the Indian Prime Minister.

1. Attacks in the Mughal Era

• In 1737, the Mughal governor-appointed Masse Khan to capture the custodian of the Golden Temple named Mani Singh. Masse Khan occupied the temple and converted it into his entertainment center with dancing girls. Sikhs avenged by assassinating Masse Khan inside the temple.
• In 1746, Diwan Lakhpat Rai, a Lahore official seeking revenge for the death of his brother who filled the pool with sand attacked the temple but Sikhs restored the pool in 1749.
• In 1757, Ahmad Shah Durrani, an Afghani ruler attacked Amritsar and desecrated the Golden Temple. But Sikhs restored it again.
• In 1761, Ahmad Shah Durrani returned and had the Golden Temple blown up with gunpowder. In 1764, Baba Jassa Singh Ahluwalia collected donations to rebuild the Golden Temple.

The attack in 1984: Operation Blue Star

• The violence took place at Amritsar in 1984 when troops of the Indian army attacked the Golden Temple on the orders of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• The purpose of this operation was to remove extremists from the complex.
• More than 1200 people were killed for no reason. It damaged Akal Takhat but it was repaired after the attack.

 THINGS TO REMEMBER IN GOLDEN TEMPLE

• Both men and women must wear a scarf over their head on the arrival at the Golden Temple.
• Before entering the temple, all visitors must remove their shoes and wash their feet. There is a cloakroom where you can leave your shoes and luggage for free of costs. One must get a token after depositing one’s belongings.
• Cigarette, Biri, Tobacco, gums, sunglasses, and photography are strictly prohibited inside the Golden Temple. Photography is allowed only in the outer Parikarma.
• Anyone can take a dip in the holy Sarovar(pool) but the use of soap or shampoo is not allowed.
• Avoid wearing shorts or dresses above the knees.

LOCATION

• Location:  Amritsar, Punjab (143001), India
• Is the Golden Temple open now: Yes, it opens throughout the week except Monday.
• Entry Fee: No entry fee
• Nearest Airport:  Amritsar (ATQ) Airport.
• Nearest Railway Station:  Amritsar Railway Station