The Golden Temple (informal name in Sikhism) ^[1] is culturally the most significant shrine of Sikhism. In Sikhism, any place in the world where the holy Guru Granth Sahib ^[2][3] is present is equally holy. ^[4][5] The official name of the gurdwara is: Harmandir Sahib ^[6] or Darbar Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ )^[7]. It is located in Amritsar. Kinkaku-ji from across the Kyōko-chi (Mirror Pond) Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion Temple) is the informal name of Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺, Deer Garden Temple) in Kyoto, Japan. ... Sikhism (IPA: or ; Punjabi: , , IPA: ), founded on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century Northern India, is the fifth-largest religion in the world. ... For other uses, see World (disambiguation). ... The Shri Guru Granth Sahib (Punjabi: , ) is the 11th Guru of Sikhism, the holy book of Sikhism, which is revered as a living Guru by the Sikhs. ... The Harimandir Sahib. ... Punjabi (also Panjabi; in GurmukhÄ«, PanjābÄ« in ShāhmukhÄ«) is the language of the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Coordinates: 31°37′12″N, 74°52′37″E Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...

Introduction

General

The Golden temple is considered holy by Sikhs because the 11th Guru of Sikhism, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, is always present inside in it and it's construction was mainly intended on to build a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religion to come and worship God equally. ^[10][11] The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the holiest literature in the Sikh religion ^[12], the tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh on 7th October 1708 made it the eleventh Sikh Guru and the leader of Sikhism. ^[13] Anywhere in the world where the Guru Granth Sahib is present is equally holy and precious to Sikhs. Amritsar is the location of Harmandir Sahib. Guru Granth Sahib (Granth is Punjabi for book, Sahib is Hindi meaning master, from Arabic, meaning companion, friend, owner, or master) or Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or SGGS for short, is more than a holy book of the Sikhs. ... October 7 is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years). ... // Events March 23 - James Francis Edward Stuart lands at the Firth of Forth July 1 - Tewoflos becomes Emperor of Ethiopia September 28 - Peter the Great defeats the Swedes at the Battle of Lesnaya Kandahar conquered by Mir Wais In Masuria one third of the population die during the plague J... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

History

Its name literally meaning, Temple of God. The fourth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Ram Das, excavated a tank (1577 AD) which subsequently became known as Amritsar (meaning: Pool of the Nectar of Immortality) ^[14], giving its name to the city that grew around it. In due course, a splendid Sikh edifice, Harmandir Sahib (meaning: The abode of God) ^[15], rose in the middle of this tank and became the supreme centre of Sikhism. Its sanctum came to house the Adi Granth comprising compositions of Sikhi Gurus and other santis considered to have Sikh values and philosophies e.g. Baba Farid, Kabir, etc. The compilation of the Adi Granth was started by the fifth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev. Sri Guru Ram Das Ji (Punjabi: ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮ ਦਾਸ ਜੀ) (24 September 1534 – 1 September 1581) was the fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and became Guru on 30 August 1574 following in the footsteps of Guru Amar Das. ... Sikhism (IPA: or ; Punjabi: , , IPA: ), founded on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century Northern India, is the fifth-largest religion in the world. ... Guru Granth Sahib (Granth is Punjabi for book, Sahib is Hindi meaning master, from Arabic, meaning companion, friend, owner, or master) or Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or SGGS for short, is more than a holy book of the Sikhs. ... Fariduddin Ganjshakar (Farid-ul-Din Masaud Shakar Ganj) c. ... A painting of Kabir Kabīr (also Kabīra) (Hindi: कबीर, Gurmukhī: ਕਬੀਰ, Urdu: ) (1440—1518[1]) (born in 1398 according to some accounts[1][2]) was a mystic poet or poet sants of India, whose literature has greatly influenced the Bhakti as well as Sufi movements of India. ... Guru Arjan, right, dictating the Adi Granth to Bhai Gurdas. ...

The Amritsar area

Amritsar is located in the Majha region of the Punjab. Majha is also known as the Bari Doab, since it is the Doab (Do = two, ab = rivers) or the (fluvial) tract of land which lies between two of the five great rivers of the province, the Ravi and the Beas. As such, Majha lies in the heart of the ancient Punjab region, comprised of Gurdaspur, Batala and Tarn Taran Sahib as well as Amritsar. Majha is name of the region of Punjab (India) comprising of the districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran Sahib. ... A map of the Punjab region from 1947 showing the different doabs. ... A Doab, meaning two waters in Persian, is a term used in India and Pakistan for a tract of land between two confluent rivers. ... The Ravi River (Punjabi: , Urdu: ) is a river in India and Pakistan. ... Beas is a small town in the Punjab state of India, located between the cities of Amritsar and Jalandhar along the banks of the river Beas. ... , Gurdaspur is a city in the province of East Punjab, situated in the northwest part of the Republic of India. ... BATALA , Batala is a city and a municipal council in Gurdaspur district in the state Punjab of northwestern india. ... Tarn Taran Sahib is a city with population of more than 100,000 and is situated near Amritsar, in the state of Punjab, India. ...

Construction of the Harmandir Sahib

The Golden Temple at night

Originally built during 1574 AD, the site of the temple was surrounded by a small lake in a thin forest. The third of the six grand Mughals, emperor Akbar, who visited the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das, at the neighbouring town of Goindval was so impressed by the way of life in the town that he gave a jagir (the land and the revenues of several villages in the vicinity) to the Guru's daughter Bhani as a gift on her marriage to Bhai Jetha, who later became the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das. Guru Ram Das enlarged the lake and built a small township around it. The town was named after Guru Ram Das as "Guru Ka Chak", "Chak Ram Das" or "Ram Das Pura". Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (974x640, 77 KB) Summary The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) at night. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (974x640, 77 KB) Summary The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) at night. ... The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Guru Amar Das Guru Amar Das (Punjabi: ) (Born in Amritsar, Punjab, India on 5 May 1479 – 14 May 1574 Amritsar, Punjab, India) was the third of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism, and he became Guru on 26 March 1552 following in the footsteps of Guru Angad Dev, who died 29... Goindval(also known as Goindwal) is a place in Amritsar district in the states of Punjab in India. ... A Jagir is a small territory granted by a ruler to an army chieftain (called a sardar in Marathi language) in recognition of his military service. ... Sri Guru Ram Das Ji (Punjabi: ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮ ਦਾਸ ਜੀ) (24 September 1534 – 1 September 1581) was the fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and became Guru on 30 August 1574 following in the footsteps of Guru Amar Das. ...

During the leadership of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1581-1606), the full-fledged Temple was built. In December 1588 the great Muslim Sufi saint of Lahore, Hazrat Mian Mir, who was a close friend of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, initiated the construction of the temple by laying the first foundation stone (December 1588 AD).^[16][17] A mason then straightened the stone but Guru Arjan Dev told him that, as he had undone the work just completed by the holy man, a disaster might come to the Harmandir Sahib. It was later attacked by the Mughals. Guru Arjan, right, dictating the Adi Granth to Bhai Gurdas. ...   (Urdu: لاہور, Punjabi: لہور, pronounced ) is the capital of the Punjab and is the second largest city in Pakistan after Karachi. ... Mir Mohammed Muayyinul Islam, (1550-1635) popularly known as Mian Mir was a famous Muslim Sufi saint who resided in Lahore (in present-day Pakistan). ... The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ...

The temple was completed in 1604. Guru Arjan Dev, installed the Guru Granth Sahib in it and appointed Baba Buddha Ji as the first Granthi (Reader) of it on August 1604 AD. In the mid 18th century it was attacked by the Afghans, by one of Ahmed Shah Abdali's Generals, Jahan Khan, and had to be substantially rebuilt in the 1760s. However, in response a Sikh Army was sent to hunt down the Afghan force. They were under orders to show no mercy and historical evidence suggests none was shown. Both forces met each other 5 miles outside Amritsar; Jahan Khan's army was destroyed.^[18] He himself had his head decapitated by commander Sardar Dayal Singh.^[19] The Shri Guru Granth Sahib (Punjabi: , ) is the 11th Guru of Sikhism, the holy book of Sikhism, which is revered as a living Guru by the Sikhs. ... Baba Buddha, was one of closest companions of the guru Nanak (the first Guru of Sikhism) and is one of the most revered and sacred saints in Sikhism. ... Granthi (literal meaning: the keeper and the reader of the Sikh scripture). The Granthi performs the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib at religious occasions, it may be a man or women. ... Look up AD, ad-, and ad in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Ethnic groups of Afghanistan (1980 map)  42% Pashtun  27% Tajik  9% Hazara  9% Uzbek         3% Turkmen  2% Baloch        Languages of Afghanistan (1980 map)  50% Dari dialect of Persian  35% Pashto  8% Uzbek  3% Turkmen  2% Baloch        The Demographics of Afghanistan are ethnically and linguistically mixed. ... Ahmad Shah Durrani Ahmad Shah Abdali (c. ... Decapitation (from Latin, caput, capitis, meaning head), or beheading, is the removal of a living organisms head. ... For other uses, see Sardar (disambiguation). ...

The Harmandir Sahib Complex and areas in its vicinity

The Map of the Golden temple

The temple is surrounded by a large lake of water, known as the Sarovar which consists of Amrit (Holy Water or Immortal Nectar). There are four entrances to the temple, signifying the importance of acceptance and openness; ostensibly, this concept is reminiscent of the tent of Abraham in the Old Testament -- his tent was open on all four sides in order to be able to welcome travelers from all directions. Inside the temple complex there are many shrines to past Sikh Gurus, Saints and martyrs (see map). There are three holy trees (Bers) each signifies a historical event or Sikh saint. Inside the temple there many memorial plaques that commemorate past Sikh historical events, saints, martyrs and includes commemorative inscriptions of all the Sikh soldiers who died fighting in World war one and two. For a new visitor the first recommended place to visit is the information Office highlighted in the map and followed by visiting the Sikh Central museum near the main entrance and clock tower. Anyone who wants to enter the Harmandir Sahib may do so, irrespective of religion, colour, creed or sex. The only restrictions are that the person must not drink alcohol, eat meat or smoke cigarettes or other drugs while in the shrine. Visitors are, as well, expected to dress appropriately and everyone must cover their heads as a sign of respect, remove their shoes and wash their feet in the small pool of water as they enter the Harmandir Sahib premises. Head scarves are provided. All Sikh temples (Gurdwaras) in the world follow this traditional rule that everyone is welcome to enter. There are four doors to get into the Harmandir Sahib, meaning that Harmandir sahib is open to anyone. A world war is a war affecting the majority of the worlds major nations. ... The Harimandir Sahib. ...

The East entrance gate to Golden temple (see map)

In 1988, after Operation Black Thunder, a narrow peripheral strip of land (including buildings) was acquired by the government essentially to create a security belt. A large number of people were displaced and rehabilitated in the process. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ... Operation Black Thunder is the name given to several operations that took place in India in late 1980s to flush out remaining Sikh extremists from Akal Takht[1]. Arms recovered from surrendered millitants Like Operation Blue Star, the attack was on Khalistani militants who were using the Golden Temple as...

Wideview of Harmandir Sahib

However, the project met with a strong resistance from the moderate as well as militant Sikh organisations and the project had to be abandoned, after a senior Government engineer, connected with the project, was killed. The project was revived only in 1993 by the Deputy Commissioner Karan Bir Singh Sidhu, who was also appointed as the Project Director of what was popularly described as the Galliara Project. He changed the concept of the periphery from that of a security belt to that of a second parikarma and created a serene landscape that was fully consistent with the ethereal beauty of the Golden Temple. This was done in quiet consultation with the SGPC. The pilgrims today can travel by foot in the Galliara; no vehicles are permitted. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ... The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (Punjabi: , ) is a Sikh religious organisation responsible for the upkeep of gurdwaras. ...

Artwork and monument sculptures

North Entrance gate near Ath-sath Tirath (68 Sacred Places) (Point 15 on map)

Much of the present decorative gilding and marblework dates from the early 1800s. All the gold and exquisite marble work were conducted under the patronage of Hukam Singh Chimni and Emperor Ranjit Singh, Maharaja of the Sikh Empire of the Punjab. The Darshani Deorhi Arch stands at the beginning of the causeway to the Golden Temple; it is 202 feet (62 m) high and 21 feet (6 m) in width. The gold plating on the Golden Temple was begun by Emperor Ranjit Singh and was finished in 1830 AD. The Sher-e-Punjab (Lion of the Punjab), was a heavy donor of wealth and materials for the shrine and is remembered with much affection by the Punjabi people in general and the Sikh community in particular. Maharaja Ranjit Singh also built two of the other most sacred temples in Sikhism. This was due to Maharaja Ranjit Singh having a deep love for the tenth Guru of Sikhism Guru Gobind Singh. The other two most sacred temples in Sikhism, which he built, are Takht Sri Patna Sahib (intiation or birth place of Guru Gobind Singh) and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib the place of Guru Gobind Singh's Sikh ascension into heaven. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ... Maharaja Ranjit Singh (Punjabi: ), also called Sher-e-Punjab (The Lion of the Punjab) (1780-1839) was a Sikh ruler of the Punjab. ... The Sikh Empire (from 1801-1849) was formed on the foundations of the Sikh Confederacy by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. ... The Hindenburgdamm rail causeway across the Wadden Sea to the island of Sylt in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany In modern usage, a causeway is a road or railway elevated by a bank, usually across a broad body of water or wetland. ... Look up AD, ad-, and ad in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Punjabi people (Punjabi: ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, پنجابی, also Panjabi people) are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group from South Asia. ... Guru Gobind Singh (Punjabi: ) (22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708) was the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. ... Patna Sahib is located in Patna capital city of Bihar. ... Hazur Sahib is located on the banks of Godavari river in Maharashtra. ...

In film and television

• The Temple is one of the locations of the movie Gandhi (1982).
• The Temple is one of the locations of Bride and Prejudice (2004).
• The Temple is also one of the places visited by the BBCs Michael Palin for the documentary 'Himalaya' (2004).
• The Temple is also in the Indian (Hindi) serial Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin (2005).
• The Temple is a highlight in the Bollywood movies Rang De Basanti starring Aamir Khan (2006).
• The Temple is one of the locations of Namastey London (2007).

Gandhi (1982) is a multi-award-winning biopic film about the life of Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi, who was a leader of the nonviolent resistance movement against British colonial rule in India during the first half of the 20th century. ... This article is about the 2004 Bollywood style film. ... Michael Edward Palin, CBE (born 5 May 1943) is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries. ... Documentary film is a broad category of visual expression that is based on the attempt, in one fashion or another, to document reality. ... Hindi (DevanāgarÄ«: or , IAST: , IPA:  ), an Indo-European language spoken all over India in varying degrees and extensively in northern and central India, is one of the 22 official languages of India and is used, along with English, for central government administrative purposes. ... Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin (There is no one like Jassi) was a popular show on Sony Entertainment Television. ... Bollywood (Hindi: , Urdu: ) is the informal term popularly used for Mumbai-based Hindi-language film industry in India. ... Rang De Basanti (Hindi: रंग दे बसंती, Urdu: رنگ دے بسنتى, IAST: Raá¹…g De BasantÄ«; English: Paint It Saffron [1]) is a 2006 Bollywood film. ... Aamir Khan (; DevanāgarÄ«: आमिर हुसेन ख़ान, Nastaliq: عامر حسین خان) (born March 14, 1965 as Aamir Hussain Khan) in Mumbai, India, is a highly acclaimed and a prominent National Film Award-winning Indian film actor, producer, director and writer. ... Namastey London (Hindi: नमस्ते लंदन, Urdu: نمستے لندن Namaste Landan) is a Bollywood film directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and set in London, England, United Kingdom. ...

Notable visits

The Causeway to the Golden temple (Point 10 on map)

• Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of the United Kingdom — October 14, 1997
• Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs — John Manley —January 2002
• Former Prime Minister of Canada — Jean Chrétien —October 2003
• Television Presenter and Actor — Michael Palin 2004
• Indian President — A.P.J. Abdul Kalam —August 2004
• Indian Prime Minister — Manmohan Singh —September 2004
• British Foreign Secretary — Jack Straw —February 2005
• Ambassador Ernesto Carlos Alvarez — Ambassador of Argentina (October 2007).
• Ambassador Miguel Angel Ramirez — Ambassador of Cuba (October 2007).
• Ambassador Carlos Abad — Ambassador of Ecuador (October 2007).
• Ambassador Rogelio Granguillhome — Ambassador of Mexico (October 2007).
• Ambassador Hans Dannenberg — Ambassador of Dominican Republic (October 2007).
• Ambassador Milena Santana Ramirez — Ambassador of Venezuela (October 2007).
• Mr. J.Ronald Gajraj — High Commissioner of Guyana (October 2007).
• Mr. Ricardo Leon — Charge De Affairs (CDA) of Chile (October 2007).
• Mr. Minister Genaro Pappalardo — Charge De Affairs (CDA) of Paraguay (October 2007).
• Mr. Carlos Alberto Yrigoyen — Charge De Affairs (CDA) of Peru (October 2007).
• Mayor Ken Livingstone — Mayor of London (November 2007).
• Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso — The 14th Dalai Lama (November 2007).
• Cherie Blair — wife of former British prime minister Tony Blair (January 2008).^[20]

Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ... The Hindenburgdamm rail causeway across the Wadden Sea to the island of Sylt in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany In modern usage, a causeway is a road or railway elevated by a bank, usually across a broad body of water or wetland. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark, 10 June 1921)[2] is the husband and consort of Queen Elizabeth II. Originally a royal Prince of Greece and Denmark, Prince Philip renounced these titles shortly before his marriage. ... Former Canadian MP John Manley John Paul Manley, PC, BA, LL.B is a Canadian lawyer, businessperson and politician, was born on January 5, 1950 in Ottawa. ... Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien, usually known as Jean Chrétien, PC, QC, BA, BCL, LLD (h. ... Michael Edward Palin, CBE (born 5 May 1943) is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries. ... Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (born October 15, 1931, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India), usually referred to as Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, is the President of India. ... This article is about the Prime Minister of India. ... John Whitaker Straw (born August 3, 1946) is a British Labour Party politician. ... Ronald Gajraj is a former minister of the interior of Guyana. ... Kenneth Robert Livingstone (born June 17, 1945) became Mayor of London on the creation of the post in 2000 having previously been Labour Leader of the Greater London Council from 1981 until it was abolished in 1986. ... Ken Livingstone, the current Mayor of London The Mayor of London is an elected politician in London, United Kingdom. ... Tenzin Gyatso (born 6 July 1935) is the fourteenth and current Dalai Lama. ... This article is about the Dalai Lama lineage. ... Cherie Blair born 23 September 1954, known professionally as Cherie Booth QC, is an English barrister. ... In the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister is the head of government, exercising many of the executive functions nominally vested in the Sovereign, who is head of state. ... For other people of the same name, see Tony Blair (disambiguation) Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born May 6, 1953)[1] is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, Leader of the Labour Party, and Member of Parliament for the constituency...

Celebrations at Harmandir Sahib

The Golden Temple Watch Towers (Point 17 on map)

One of the most important festivals is Vaisakhi, which is celebrated in the second week of April (13th usually). Sikhs celebrate the founding of the Khalsa on this day and it is celebrated with fervour in the Harmandir Sahib. Other important Sikh religious days such as the martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur, birthday of Guru Nanak etc, are also celebrated with religious piety. Similarly Diwali is one of the festivals which sees the Harmandir Sahib beautifully illuminated with Divas/Diyas (lamps),lights and fireworks are discharged. During these special occasions 1-2 million pilgrims visit the Holy shrine named golden temple. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 255 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Golden Temple, Amritsar. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 255 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Golden Temple, Amritsar. ... Vaisakhi (Punjabi: , , also known as Baisakhi) is an ancient harvest festival in Punjab, which also marks beginning of a new solar year, and new harvest season. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Guru Nanak (Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ, Devanagari: गुरु नानक) (20 October 1469 - 7 May 1539), the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus of the Sikhs, was born in the village of Talwandi, now called Nankana Sahib, near Lahore in present-day Pakistan. ...

Most Sikh people visit Amritsar and the Harmandir Sahib at least once during lifetime, particularly during special occasions in their life such as birthdays,marriages or birth of their children etc.

Reaching the Golden Temple from abroad

Amritsar International Airport

For the global Sikh pilgrim or international tourist visitor the fastest way to reach the Golden Temple is by air-travel. The holy city of Amritsar, where the Golden Temple is located, has a rapidly expanding modern Airport called, Amritsar International Airport. The airport can be reached direct, by the international traveller, from most major cities of the world including, London and Toronto. Moreover, there is a rapidly expanding array of international hotels in the holy city that can be booked for overnight stays. Lonely Planet Bluelist 2008 has voted the Golden Temple as one of the world’s best spiritual sites.^[21] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 172 × 136 pixelsFull resolution (172 × 136 pixel, file size: 5 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)http://aai. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 172 × 136 pixelsFull resolution (172 × 136 pixel, file size: 5 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)http://aai. ... Raja Sansi International Airport (IATA: ATQ, ICAO: VIAR), also known as Amritsar International Airport, is 11 km north-west from the city of Amritsar, India. ... Raja Sansi International Airport (IATA: ATQ, ICAO: VIAR), also known as Amritsar International Airport, is 11 km north-west from the city of Amritsar, India. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Lonely Planet logo Lonely Planet Publications (usually known as Lonely Planet or LP for short) claims to be the largest independently owned travel guidebook publisher in the world. ...

Recent events

• On July 6, 2005 the SGPC decided to install closed circuit television cameras around the Harmandir Sahib Complex and will be adding more security due to other attacks in India on other religious areas.
• Latin American and Caribbean Ambassadors visit Golden Temple
• London Mayor visits Golden Temple
• The Dalai Lama visits Golden Temple

is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee is a sikh religious organization responsible for the upkeep of Gurudwaras. ... This article refers to a surveillance system. ... Terrorism in India can be attributed to Indias many low intensity conflicts within its borders. ...

Operation Blue Star

Main article: Operation Blue Star

Damage to the Akal Takht from Operation Blue Star

Between June 3 and June 6, 1984, the Indian Army led by General Kuldip Singh Brar brought troops into the Golden Temple to arrest Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He and some followers had taken refuge in the Golden Temple, and resisted the police who sought to arrest him for suspected acts of terrorism. Belligerents Indian Army Sikh militiamen Casualties and losses Military: 83 killed, 248 wounded Militants (including civilians): 492 Killed Operation Blue Star ( ਬਿਲਯੂ ਸਟਾਰ , बिल्यू स्टार ) (June 3 to June 6, 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India,[1] to remove Sikh militants from Golden Temple... Image File history File links Blue_star_akal_takht. ... Image File history File links Blue_star_akal_takht. ... The Akal Takht (Punjabi: , ) is the second holiest shrine of the Sikhs. ... Belligerents Indian Army Sikh militiamen Casualties and losses Military: 83 killed, 248 wounded Militants (including civilians): 492 Killed Operation Blue Star ( ਬਿਲਯੂ ਸਟਾਰ , बिल्यू स्टार ) (June 3 to June 6, 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India,[1] to remove Sikh militants from Golden Temple... This article is about the post-independence Indian Army. ... Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale or Jarnail Singh (Brar) (Punjabi: ; February 12, 1947–June 6, 1984) was the leader of the Damdami Taksal, a Sikh religious group based in India. ...

By 1983, the Golden Temple became a shelter for a large number of militants. Mark Tully and Satish Jacob wrote^[22]: "All ... [Bhindranwale's] terrorists were known by name to the shopkeepers and the householders who live in the narrow alleys surrounding the Golden Temple ... The Punjab police must have known who they were also, but they made no attempt to arrest them. By this time Bhindranwale and his men were above the law."

The Golden Temple compund and some of the surrounding houses were fortified. The Statesman reported on July 4 that light machine-guns and sophisticated self-loading rifles were known to have brought into the compound.

Indira Gandhi ordered the army to launch Operation Blue Star. A young Indira Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi, during one of the latters fasts Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (Hindi: ) (19 November 1917 - October 31, 1984) She was the Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms from 1966 to 1977 and for a fourth term from 1980 until her assassination in... Belligerents Indian Army Sikh militiamen Casualties and losses Military: 83 killed, 248 wounded Militants (including civilians): 492 Killed Operation Blue Star ( ਬਿਲਯੂ ਸਟਾਰ , बिल्यू स्टार ) (June 3 to June 6, 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India,[1] to remove Sikh militants from Golden Temple...

Fierce fighting ensued between Bhindranwale's supporters and the soldiers, in which many of Bhindranwale's supporters were killed along with many soldiers. An official account tallies the deaths of 83 soldiers and 492 civilians^[23]. However, many journalists abroad and in India consider the pilgrim death toll to be much higher, up to 2000^{[citation needed]}. The Golden Temple complex also suffered much damage due to the fighting, especially the holy Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. x Monument to pilgrims in Burgos, Spain This article is on religious pilgrims. ...

Many Sikhs regarded the attack as a desecration of their holiest shrine, and their alienation had deep and dramatic consequences.

Sonia Gandhi in 1998 officially apologized for the assault on the holy Golden temple, as a great mistake.^[24] Sonia Gandhi (Hindi: , IPA: ), born Sonia Antonia Maino on December 9, 1946, is an Italian-born Indian politician, the President of the Indian National Congress and the widow of former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ...

In 1986 the repairs performed on the holy Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, which the Rajiv Gandhi Government had undertaken without consultation, were removed. A new Sri Akal Takhat Sahib was completed in 1999 by Kar Seva (free pilgrim service & work). x Rajiv is a popular male Indian name, originating in the South Asian country of India. ...

Photo gallery

Golden Temple main Building with Akal Takht Sahib Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 781 KB) Golden Temple (main building) Complex with Akal Takht Sahib. ... The Akal Takht (Punjabi: , ) is the second holiest shrine of the Sikhs. ...	Golden Temple from the North Entrance gate near Ath-sath Tirath (68 Sacred Places) (Point 15 on map) Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 1334 KB) Golden Temple from west entrace gate to parikarma. ...	Gurdwara Baba Atal, Golden Temple complex Amritsar (Point 25 on map) Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1536x2048, 750 KB) Gurdwara Baba Atal, near Golden Temple Amritsar. ... Gurudwara, Baba Atal near Golden Temple, Amritsar Many of the millions of pilgrims that visit the Harimandir Sahib every year do not realise that one of Amritsar’s finest architectural marvels and one of the Sikh religions most poignant places of worship is just a short walk from the famous... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...	Nishaan Sahib (Flagstaffs) (Point 7 on map) Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1536x2048, 730 KB) Nishan Sahib at Golden Temple Amritsar I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ...
Harmandir Sahib Complex File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...	Harmandir Sahib Image File history File links Size of this preview: 768 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1428 × 1115 pixel, file size: 811 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Image is touched up in Photoshop File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed...	The Entrance to the Golden Temple as seen from the inside of the complex Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2816x2112, 2503 KB) The Entrance to the Golden Temple as seen from the inside of the complex I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU...	Corridor, Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
Panorama of the main building and Sarovar Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (5232x1699, 1070 KB) Panorama of Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar, Punjab (India) Panorama-picture compiled out of 4 single pictures with Autostitch except for the panorama-stitching the image has not been edited pictures taken on 2006-09-04 by...	North Entrance gate near Ath-sath Tirath (68 Sacred Places) (Point 15 on map). Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ...	The Causeway to the Golden temple (Point 10 on map) Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ...
The East entrance gate to Golden temple (see map) Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ...	Harmandir, circa 1870 Image File history File links Download high resolution version (857x712, 247 KB) Photographer: John Edward Saché Medium:Photographic print, 23. ...	Golden Temple Amritsar 1987, Amritsar. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...	Guarding the Golden Temple, Amritsar. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 426 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1336 × 1880 pixel, file size: 293 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I took this photo myself in Amritsar in 1993. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
Langar Canteen, inside Golden Temple.	Harmandir Sahib5.

Other gurdwaras

• Akal Takht, Amritsar, India
• Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal, Pakistan
• Bangla Sahib, Delhi, India
• Hazur Sahib, Nanded, India
• Patna Sahib, Patna, India
• Damdama Sahib, Bathinda, India
• Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur, India
• Sri Hemkunt Sahib,

The Akal Takht (Punjabi: , ) is the second holiest shrine of the Sikhs. ... Gurudwara Panja Sahib is situated at Hasan Abdal, 48 km from Rawalpindi in Pakistan. ... Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is the most prominent Sikh gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi. ... Hazur Sahib is located on the banks of Godavari river at Nanded in Maharashtra State of India. ... One of the Five Takhats or Seat of Authority of the Sikhs. ... One of the Five Takhts or Seat of Temporal Authority of Sikhism, Damdama Sahib is situated at Bathinda in Punjab, India and is the place where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, prepared the full version of the Sikh Scriptures called Sri Guru Granth Sahib in 1705. ... One of the Five Takhats or Seat of Authority of the Sikhs. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

See also

• Most sacred sites

References

1. ^ Harban Singh; Punjabi University (1998). Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Punjabi University. ISBN 817380530X. 
2. ^ The Sikhism Home Page: Introduction to Sikhism
3. ^ Harban Singh; Punjabi University (1998). Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Punjabi University. ISBN 817380530X. 
4. ^ The Sikhism Home Page: Introduction to Sikhism
5. ^ Harban Singh; Punjabi University (1998). Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Punjabi University. ISBN 817380530X. 
6. ^ Harban Singh; Punjabi University (1998). Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Punjabi University. ISBN 817380530X. 
7. ^ Golden Temple, Punjabi University, Parm Barkshish Singh, Devinder Kumar Verma, ISBN 8173805695
8. ^ Harban Singh; Punjabi University (1998). Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Punjabi University. ISBN 817380530X. 
9. ^ The Sikhism Home Page: Introduction to Sikhism
10. ^ The Sikhism Home Page: Sri Guru Granth Sahib
11. ^ Harban Singh; Punjabi University (1998). Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Punjabi University. ISBN 817380530X. 
12. ^ The Sikhism Home Page: Sri Guru Granth Sahib
13. ^ The Sikhism Home Page: Sri Guru Granth Sahib
14. ^ Golden Temple, Punjabi University, Parm Barkshish Singh, Devinder Kumar Verma ISBN 8173805695
15. ^ Golden Temple, Punjabi University, Parm Barkshish Singh, Devinder Kumar Verma, ISBN 8173805695.
16. ^ A Gateway to Sikhism | The Sikh Saints:Mian Mir - A Gateway to Sikhism
17. ^ Harban Singh; Punjabi University (1998). Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Punjabi University. ISBN 817380530X. 
18. ^ Volume 2: Evolution of Sikh Confederacies (1708-1769), By Ram Gupta.
19. ^ Volume 2: Evolution of Sikh Confederacies (1708-1769), By Ram Gupta.
20. ^ [1]
21. ^ http://www.ptinews.com/pti/ptisite.nsf/0/03d3a18aa4bdceae6525738e00199bff?OpenDocument
22. ^ Mark Tully and Satish Jacob, Amritsar -Mrs. Gandhi's Last Battle (Calcutta: Rupa & Co. by arrangement with Pan Books, London, 1985)
23. ^ Varinder Walia, "Army reveals startling facts on Bluestar: Says Longowal surrendered", The Tribune, Chandigarh (March 20, 2007)
24. ^ BBC News | S/W ASIA | Sonia Gandhi apologises for raid on Sikh temple

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Harmandir Sahib

Sikhism Portal

• Listen to Live Radio From Golden Temple
• AmritSarovar.com
• Amritsar Portal
• Amritsar Paath
• Sri Harmandir Sahib
• Sikhnet.com
• SacredSites.com
• Sgpc.net
• SriGuruGranthSahib.org
• A journalist’s report on his short tourism experience of Punjabi Sikh shrines
• Pictures of the Harmandir Sahib Pictures of the Harmandir Sahib from a backpackers trip around India.
• Some images of Sri Harmandir Sahib
• Golden Temple travel guide from Wikitravel
• Photos of the Golden Temple
• Vídeo Tour the Temple[2]

v • d • e   Topics in Sikhism
Gurus	Guru Nanak Dev • Guru Angad Dev • Guru Amar Das • Guru Ram Das • Guru Arjan Dev • Guru Har Gobind • Guru Har Rai • Har Krishan • Guru Teg Bahadur • Guru Gobind Singh • Guru Granth Sahib • Sikh Bhagats
Philosophy	Beliefs and principles • Underlying values • Prohibitions • Technique and methods • Other observations
Practices	Ardās • Amrit Sanskar • Chaṛdī Kalā • Dasvand • Five Ks • Kirat Karō • Kirtan • Langar • Nām Japō • Simran • Three Pillars • Vaṇḍ Chakkō
Scripture	Guru Granth Sahib • Adi Granth • Dasam Granth • Sarbloh Granth • Bani • Chaupai • Jaap Sahib • Japji Sahib • Mool Mantar • Rehras • Sukhmani Sahib • Tav-Prasad Savaiye
More	History • Ek Onkar • Gurdwara • Harmandir Sahib • Khalsa • Khanda • Literature • Music • Names • Places • Politics • Satguru • Sikhs • Waheguru • Bhagat Farid • Bhagat Kabir • History of the Punjab • Sardar • Takhat • Dastar • Sikh Gems
Portal:Sikhism