Golden Temple, Amritsar, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is an iconic gurdwara in Punjab. The temple is among the most revered religious sites, which offers peace and spiritual significance to everyone who visits, regardless of religion or caste.in this blog, you will get details of the Golden Temple – Architecture, Attractions, Timings & How to Reach it.
Golden Temple is famous for numerous things, including stunning architectural design, golden leaf structures, Kadah Prasad and Guru Ka Langar, and many more. Let’s get started and discover much more information regarding Golden Temple, Amritsar, about its history, construction, infrastructure, and real property.
Golden Temple, Amritsar: History & Construction
The third Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Amar Das, selected the area now home to Golden Temple. One of His followers, Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, was involved in creating the artificial pool, which was finished in 1577. It was in 1581 that Guru Arjan started the construction of the Golden Temple, which was completed after eight years, i.e. in 1589.
While Mughal and Afghan armies destroyed the Golden Temple many times, Sikhs rebuilt it every time. The first founder of the Sikh empire Maharaja Ranjit Singh, rebuilt the temple using copper and marble in 1809. Later, it was covered in a Sanctum made of gold in the year 1830 and was named after the Golden Temple.
Golden Temple became the site of contention throughout conflict during the Punjabi Suba Movement and Singh Sabha Movement between 1883 and 1920. In 1920, the Gurdwara complex was rebuilt again following the destruction that occurred in 1984 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered an army of the Indian Army inside the Golden Temple.
Inside Golden Temple & Its Architecture
Golden Temple, Amritsar, is famous for its mixture of Hindu-Rajput and Indo-Islamic design. The temple stands 67 feet high and is two levels. It’s nearly rectangular and features a gold leaf dome.
Here are some tips to give you an understanding of the things inside the Golden Temple looks like and its structure.
- Marble Passage In the Sanctum of Golden Temple has a marble platform measuring 19.7 by 19.7-meter square. It is located in the artificial pool. It is often referred to as the Amrit Sarovar. The marble of the temple is decorated with floral motifs and animals. Similar architecture can be seen in the wall of the Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal.
- The Holy Pool: Amritsar’s pool inside the Golden Temple is 5.1 meters deep. It is enclosed by a 3.7 meters wide circular clockwise marble passage. Many Sikhs consider that getting a bath in the pool will help them cleanse their Karma and improve their healing powers. Many carry this water into their homes to care for sick relatives and family members.
- Gold Leaf Dome: The upper part of the Golden Temple is carved with gold leaf and panels topped by the dome, which weighs around 400 kilograms of gold. Inside the Golden Temple are the priests singing their Guru Granth Sahib the entire day.
- Akal Takht: Akal Takht is believed to be the chief Authority and among the main centers of Sikhism, responsible for both secular and spiritual matters. The institution was established in 1855 by Guru Hargobind Ji. Akal Takht is situated just in the middle of the main Sanctum within the Golden Temple.
- Clock Tower This clock tower was not a component of the original plan for the Golden Temple. In 1874 during the Second Anglo-Sikh war, the British constructed the clock tower following the structure’s demolition. Sikhs destroyed it after 70 years and constructed an alternative entrance to The Temple. However, this entrance has an old clock in the north direction. North direction and the locals still refer to it as Ghanta Ghar Deori.
Golden Temple, Amritsar: Daily Rituals
The rituals associated with daily ceremonies held within the Golden Temple are based on the Sikh custom of paying their reverence for the Shri Guru Granth Sahib and treating them the same way as an actual person and like the Guru. There are two main types of rituals held at Amritsar. Golden Temple, Amritsar.
- Opening Rituals The opening ceremony occurs in the early morning hours, during which the Guru Granth Sahib is taken from its place and placed on the head or the head of a devotee and carried on a palanquin adorned with flowers. The Guru Granth Sahib is brought to the main Sanctum throughout the day. In this ceremony, Ardas and Var Asa Kirtans occur. Additionally, a random chapter of the Guru Granth Sahib is known as”the” Mukhwah for the current day.
- Closing RitualsThe ritual of closing occurs following three ardas and an assortment of Kirtans. In this ceremony, the Guru Granth Sahib is closed and placed on the head of someone who is a devotee the same way at the beginning of each day. The palanquin will be decorated with flowers and an upholstered bed during this ceremony. The devotees put the Guru Granth Sahib into the Akal Takht and placed it into the bed while they chanted.
Key Facts About Golden Temple, Amritsar
Here are a few major key facts about the Golden Temple, Amritsar.
| Events/Categories | Details |
| Entry Fee | Free Entry |
| Festivals Celebrated | Baisakhi, Hola Mohalla, Gurupurbs |
| Best Season to Visit | October and March |
| Live Darshan | Available |
| Visitor Timings | 05:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| Address | Golden Temple Road, Atta Mandi, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab 143006 |
Golden Temple Images
Photography is forbidden inside Golden Temple. Find below a few Golden Temple Images to help you have a little tour around the holy site.
How to Reach Golden Temple, Amritsar
You can reach Golden Temple, Amritsar via air, rail, or road. Find below the related details.
By air: It is possible to find various flights scheduled to fly to Amritsar from all major cities in the country. You can go to any websites that cater to tourists to book a flight easily.
Train: It is possible to visit the IRCTC website and look up the seating capacity on different trains in only one click. The train is called the Golden Temple train with train number 12903, which travels through major cities in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. It is possible to board this train when it is convenient for your schedule.
By road: You can either book a taxi, cab, or bus or take your vehicle to go to Sri Harmandir Sahib by road. Bus Stand Amritsar is the closest bus stop to Golden Temple. If you live in Delhi, consider taking a trip to the Delhi-Amritsar Expressway.
Timings to Visit Golden Temple, Amritsar
Golden Temple is a holy site, so there is no fixed time for the doors to remain closed. However, for going inside Golden Temple for live darshan, there is a timing schedule applicable. Here are the Golden Temple timings details.
| Event | Days | Timing |
| Golden Temple Live Darshan | Monday to Sunday | 05:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| Golden Temple Langar | Monday to Sunday | 24 Hours |
Places to Visit Inside Golden Temple, Amritsar
Here are some of the essential spots in Golden Temple, Amritsar.
Central Sikh Museum: The museum was established in 1958. The Central Sikh Museum reflects the lengthy background of the Sikh community. It houses a variety of pictures of famous Sikh Gurus, Leaders, soldiers, and Saints. The museum also displays an enormous collection of antique coins and musical instruments, arms, sketches of pencils, and old manuscripts.
Guru Ka Langar: Guru Ka Langar in Golden Temple is the world’s most extensive community kitchen that provides free food to many people daily. Of all the volunteers, women take on crucial roles in making food in the kitchen, and children help serve the meals to the community.
Har Ki Pauri This is the location at the rear of the Sanctum where people typically go to get the holy water of the Amrit Sarovar. The steps of the area are referred to as Pauri because it is situated inside Harmandir Sahib. Harmandir Sahib, the place, is well-known by its name Har ki Pauri.
Hotels Near Golden Temple, Amritsar
Here is a list of famous hotels in Amritsar near the Golden Temple.
| Hotels Near Golden Temple | Address | Distance | Ratings |
| Ramada Amritsar | Hall Bazaar, Near Golden Temple, Amritsar | 1.200 Kms | 4.2: Very Good |
| One Earth GG Regency | Galiara Road, near Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai, Amritsar | 0.780 Kms | 4.1 : Very Good |
| Hotel Urban Galaxy | 44, Brahm Butta Market, Amritsar 143001, India | 0.300 Kms | 4.5: Very Good |
| Hotel Le Garden | Bazar Mai Sewan | Clock Tower Ext Opp Golden Temple, Amritsar | 0.200 Kms | 4.0 Very Good |
| Surya Beacon Hotel | Gali Mangal Singh, Mahana Singh Road | Inside Sultanwind Gate, Amritsar | 0.300 Kms | 4.0: Very Good |
| Abode UNA Xpress | Near Golden Temple, Amritsar | 0.300 Kms | 4.5: Very Good |
| Hotel City Heart | Near Golden Temple, Amritsar | 0.400 Kms | 4.0: Very Good |
| Hotel Karan Residency | Shaheed Bhagat Singh Rd, Amritsar | 0.700 Kms | 4.5: Very Good |
| Hotel Sawera Grand | Sawera Tower | Katra Baghian, Amritsar | 0.800 Kms | 4.5: Very Good |
| Hotel God Gift | Mahana Singh Road | Near Golden Temple Backside Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar | 0.400 Kms | 4.0: Very Good |
Restaurants/Cafes Near Golden Temple, Amritsar
Find below the list of famous restaurants and cafes near Golden Temple.
| Names of Restaurants | Address | Distance | Rating |
| Bhai Kulwant Singh Kulchian Wale | Bazar Bikaneria, Near Golden Temple, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 | 0.450 Kms | 4.3: Very Good |
| Masala Darbaar Restaurant | Buta Market, 568-A, Jallianwala Bagh Mahna Singh Road OPP – Braham, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 | 0.550 Kms | 4.3: Very Good |
| Zayka Restaurant | Near Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, before, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 | 0.500 Kms | 3.5: Good |
| The Amritsar Haveli | Near, Inside Saragarhi Sarai, Golden Temple Rd, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 | 0.800 Kms | 4.1: Very Good |
| Bubby Food Court | Near Golden Temple, Jallan Wala Bagh, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 | 0.600 Kms | 5.0: Excellent |
| Bharawan Da Dhaba | Near Town Hall, Town Hall, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 | 1.000 Km | 3.9: Good |
| Yappy Foods | JVFH+WCR, Golden Temple Rd, near Mandir Mata Longanwali Devi Ji, Town Hall, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 | 0.850 Kms | 4.2: Very Good |
| Sharma Bhojan Bhandar | JVCH+P9C, Kt,Ahluwalia, Bazar Bikanerian, near Khubi Ram Sweets, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 | 0.450 Kms | 3.9: Good |
| Neelam’s | JVCH+HPC, Golden Temple Way, Jallan Wala Bagh, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab 143001 | 0.450 Kms | 3.9: Good |
| Sanjha Chulha | Bikaneri Bazar, near Golden Temple, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab 143006 | 0.450 Kms | 4.0: Good |
Property Configuration on Golden Temple Road, Amritsar
Regarding property arrangements for Golden Temple Road, Amritsar, both commercial and commercial properties are readily available. Anyone interested in living or conducting business close to the temple could proceed and choose the perfect area of the property according to their needs.
Below is a graph that displays the available property types in the vicinity of Golden Temple, Amritsar.
Property Rates Near Golden Temple, Amritsar
Find below the property rates near Golden Temple, Amritsar.
| Locality | Property Rates |
| Near Golden Temple | Rs.4,167 to Rs.5,611 Per Sq. Ft. |
| Golden Temple Road | Rs.2,100 to Rs.1,04,938 Per Sq. Ft. |
Residential Localities Near Golden Temple, Amritsar
Golden Temple can be considered an iconic landmark in the search for residential communities within the vicinity. Below is a list of places to think about when purchasing a residential property close to the Golden Temple.
| Localities | Distance From Golden Temple | Average Property Rates Per Sq. Ft. |
| Green Avenue | 4 Km | Rs.12010 |
| Ranjit Avenue | 6 Km | Rs.2560 |
| Shakti Nagar | 0.850 Km | Rs.6,570 |
| Sudarshan Nagar | 3 Km | Rs.2,180 |
| Guru Amar Das Nagar | 3.6 Km | Rs.2,620 |
Things to Remember When Visiting Golden Temple, Amritsar
Here are a few essential points to be aware of when you visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
- Be sure to remove all shoes and socks before entering the Golden Temple.
- Be dressed in a nice outfit to visit the Golden Temple, Amritsar.
- Make sure you cover your head while wandering around the Golden Temple.
- You can sit on the ground listening to Gurbani
- Do not bathe at Har ki Pauri.
- Do not bring or carry any food items inside the Parikarma
- Photographs can be clicked only within the outside Parikarma
The Bottom Line on Golden Temple Amritsar
This blog hopes to help you understand how this Golden Temple is not just an abode of spirituality for Sikhs. However, it is also an emblem of unity and equality for everyone. The most appealing aspect is that you can get accommodations within this Golden Temple, where you can stay and take as long as you like in this serene travel spot. Contact the helpline for capacity to reserve yourself space and determine the status of the booking on their website.
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