Constructed in : 91574 A.D.
Best Time To Visit : October To March
Visit Timings: 4 a.m. in Summer and at 5 a.m. in Winter
Golden Temple is the most sacred temple of the Sikhs built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The lower portion of the temple displays white marble inlay work and the upper portion is embellished with copper coated over by gold plate. Devotees from all sects of life irrespective of their cast and creed come here to pay homage to the temple.
HIstory
The history of GOldan Temple is- The Sri Harmandir Sahib was invaded and destroyed many a times by the Afghan and other invaders. Each and every time the Sikhs had to sacrifice their lives in order to liberate it and restore its sanctity. After the martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh ji in 1737, Massa Ranghar, the Kotwal of Amritsar took charge of Sri Harmandir Sahib in 1740 and converted it into a civil court and began to hold notch parties. This act created great resentment among the Sikhs. Two warriors, Sukha Singh and Mahtab Singh avenged the insult by a dare devil act. They entered the temple complex in guise of peasants, severed the head of Massa Ranghar with a single blow of kirpan and fled away with decapitated head on one of the their spears.
Architecture of the Golden Temple
The Architecture of Goldan Temple are represents a unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction work and this is considered the best architectural specimens of the world. It is often quoted that this architecture has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in the history of art in India.
The Golden Temple was built at a lower level. This was one of the distinguishing features of the Temple. The main area of Gurudwara lies in the midst of the sacred pool of 150 meters square area. A 60 meters causeway is located on the western slide of the pool. The causeway is decorated with marble and has beautiful lamps on both the sides. The floor of Golden Temple has marble tiling whereas the ceiling is bedecked with intricate inlay work. As you enter you see Guru Granth Sahib on a lower platform under a dazzlingly beautiful canopy (Chandani Sahib).
Shish Mahal or Mirror Room is constructed on the second storey. It is gilded with mirrors and has intricate work of various patterns. It is designed in such a way that there is a square opening in the centre to view from there the ground floor. One more reason for having the area opened is to avoid stepping over Guru Granth Sahib. If you are on the second floor, and the sacred book is on the first floor, you should not step over the place where underneath Guru Granth Sahib is placed. If this is done, it is called sacrilege (beadabi of Guru Granth Sahib).
Above the Shish Mahal is a golden dome along with several miniature domes. The mural work in the Temple is characterized by floral patterns interspersed with animal motifs. The gates called Darshani Deorhi exhibit ivory inlay work. The gates are made of Sheesham wood.
