The Golden Temple in Amritsar, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple, is the holiest site in Sikhism. Guru Arjan Dev conceived of and designed the architecture for the temple, which was built in the center of a holy reservoir called the Amritsar. The temple welcomes people of all faiths and has entrances on all four sides. It has a gilded dome and hosts continuous readings of the Guru Granth Sahib. Over 100,000 people visit daily to worship.

1. The Golden Temple
SriHarmandirSahib

3. Sri Harmandir Sahib, also
known as Sri Darbar Sahib or
Golden Temple, (on account
of its scenic beauty and
golden coating for English
speaking world), is named
after Hari(God) the temple of
God. The Sikhs all over the
world, daily wish to pay visit
to Sri Amritsar and to pay
obeisance at Sri Harmandir
Sahib in their Ardas.

4. Much of the present decorative gilding and marblework
dates from the early 19th century. 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 Harmandir Sahib; it is 62 metres
(203 ft) high and 6 metres (20 ft) in width. The gold
plating on the Harmandir Sahib was begun by Ranjit
Singh and was finished in 1830. Maharaja Ranjit Singh
was a major 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.
Artwork and monument sculptures

5. Guru Granth Sahib
The Harimandir Sahib is
considered holy by Sikhs. The
holiest text of Sikhism, the
Guru Granth Sahib, is always
present inside the gurdwara.
Its construction was mainly
intended to build a place of
worship for men and women
from all walks of life and all
religions to come and worship
God equally. Over 100,000
people visit the holy shrine
daily for worship

7. Time Table of Shri Harmandir Sahib
Kiwad (Portals) OpTmening Time 2.30 a.m.
Kirtan at Amrit Vela (Early dawn) 2.30 a.m.
Asa di Var 3.30 a.m.
Departure of Palki Sahib from Sri Akal Takhat
Sahib
4.30 a.m.
First Hukamnama 5.00 a.m.
First Ardas 5.30 a.m.
Asa Di War Samapti 6.30 a.m.
Second Ardas & Hukamnama
Holy reading of Rehras Sahib starts at sunset. 6.45 a.m.
Hukamnama at night 9.45 p.m
Departure of Palki Sahib from Sri Harimandir
Sahib
10.00 p.m.
Sukh-Aasan Sahib at Sri Akal Takhat Sahib 10.15 p.m.

8. 2/1/2015

10. After Hukamnama

12. 2/1/2015

13. 2/1/2015

24. Celebrations at the Harmandir Sahib
One of the most important festivals is Vaisakhi, which is
celebrated in the second week of April (usually the 13th).
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 birth of Guru
Raamdas ji, martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur, the
birthday of Guru Nanak, etc., are also celebrated with
religious piety. Similarly Bandi Chhor Divas is one of the
festivals which sees the Harmandir Sahib beautifully
illuminated with Divas (lamps); lights and fireworks are
discharged. Most Sikhs visit Amritsar and the Harmandir
Sahib at least once during their lifetime, particularly and
mostly during special occasions in their life such as
birthdays, marriages, childbirth, etc.

28. Amrit Sarovar
The gurdwara is surrounded by a large lake or holy tank,
known as the Sarovar, which consists of Amrit ("holy
water" or "immortal nectar") and is fed by the Ravi River.
There are four entrances to the gurdwara, signifying the
importance of acceptance and openness. Inside the
gurdwara complex there are many shrines to past Sikh
Gurus, saints and martyrs . There are three holy trees
(bers), each signifying a historical event or Sikh saint.
Inside the gurdwara there are 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 Wars I and II.

37. Sri Harmandir Sahib - Structure
Guru Arjan Sahib, the Fifth Nanak, conceived the idea of creating a central place of
worship for the Sikhs and he himself designed the architecture of Sri
Harmandir Sahib. Earlier the planning to excavate the holy tank (Amritsar or
Amrit Sarovar ) was chalked out by Guru Amardas Sahib, the Third Nanak, but
it was executed by Guru Ramdas Sahib under the supervision of Baba Budha ji.
The land for the site was acquired by the earlier Guru Sahibs on payment or
free of cost from the Zamindars (landlords) of native villages. The plan to
establish a town settlement was also made. Therefore, the construction work
on the Sarovar(the tank) and the town started simultaneously in 1570. The
work on both projects completed in 1577 A.D.
Guru Arjan Sahib got its foundation laid by a muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir ji of
Lahore on 1st of Magh, 1645 Bikrmi Samvat(December,1588). The construction
work was directly supervised by Guru Arjan Sahib himself and he was assisted
by the prominent Sikh personalities like Baba Budha ji, Bhai Gurdas ji, Bhai
Sahlo ji and many other devoted Sikhs.

38. Sri Harmandir Sahib - Structure
Unlike erecting the structure on the higher level(a tradition in Hindu Temple
architecture), Guru Arjan Sahib got it built on the lower level and unlike Hindu
Temples having only one gate for the entrance and exit, Guru Sahib got it open
from four sides. Thus he created a symbol of new faith, Sikhism. Guru Sahib
made it accessible to every person without any distinction of Caste, creed, sex
and religion.
The building work completed in 1601 A.D. on Bhadoon Sudi 1st, 1661 Bikrmi
Samvat (August/September,1604). Guru Arjan Sahib installed newly created
Guru Granth Sahib, in Sri Harmandir Sahib and appointed Baba Budha ji as its
first Granthi i.e. the reader of Guru Granth Sahib. After this event it attained
the status of ‘Ath Sath Tirath’. Now the Sikh Nation had their own Tirath, a
pilgrimage center

39. Sri Harmandir Sahib - Structure
Sri Harmandir Sahib, is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of the
Sarovar(tank). The temple itself is 40.5ft. square. It has a door each on the East,
West, North and South. The Darshani Deori (an arch) stands at the shore end of the
causeway. The door frame of the arch is about 10ft in height and 8ft 6inches in
breath. The door panes are decorated with artistic style. It opens on to the
causeway or bridge that leads to the main building of Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is 202
feet in length and 21 feet in width.
The bridge is connected with the 13 feet wide ‘Pardakshna’ (circumambulatory path). It
runs round the main shrine and it leads to the ‘Har ki Paure’ (steps of God). On the
first floor of ‘Har ki Paure’, there is continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib.
The main structure of Sri Harmandir Sahib, functionally as well as technically is a three-
storied one. The front, which faces the bridge, is decorated with repeated cusped
arches and the roof of the first floor is at the height of the 26 feet and 9 inches.

40. Sri Harmandir Sahib - Structure
At the top of the first floor 4 feet high parapet rises on all the sides which has also
four ‘Mamtees’ on the four corners and exactly on the top of the central hall
of the main sanctuary rises the third story. It is a small square room and have
three gates. A regular recitation of Guru Granth Sahib is also held there.
On the top of this room stands the low fluted ‘Gumbaz’(dome) having 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 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.