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| '''Harmandir Sahib''' or '''Hari Mandir''' (]: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) is the most sacred ] in all of ], located in ], ], ]. It was previously known as the '''Golden Temple''', but was renamed in ] ] by the ]. The temple is the most important sacred shrine for the ]s, who travel from all parts of the world to enjoy the blissful environments and offer their thanks by giving prayers. In addition, the sacred shrine is increasingly becoming a tourist attraction for visitors from all over the world. The Temple is located at {{coor dms|31|37|12|N|74|52|37|E|}}. | |||
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| == History == | |||
| Originally during ], the site of the temple was surrounded by a small lake, in a thin forest. The lake was enlarged and a small township was established during the leadership of the fourth Sikh Guru (], 1574-]). It was during the leadership of the fifth Guru (], ]-]), that full fledged Temple was built. The land on which it was built was gifted to ] by the Mughal emperor ]. A ] saint ] of ] in ] ] initiated the construction of the building by laying the foundation stone. It was completed in ]. The temple was later attacked and had to be substantially rebuilt in the ]. | |||
| ] is one of the most ancient and legendary sites in the ]. The origin of the place where the Sri Hari Mandir stands is shrouded in mystery. Some trace its origin to the pre-historic, ]-epic period as a place of considerable religious importance in the form of a Amrit Kund (Spring of Nectar). But the site seems to have lost its eminence under the sway of the Buddhist movement, which swept away most of the important ] holy places. According to popular belief – ] wrote his celebrated epic, the ], near around this hallowed site of the "Pool of Nectar". It was here, too, that ] stayed during the period of her vanavasa (banishment). Here again, the twin sons of ], were taught the Ramayana. Yet another legend identifies the site of this pool with the place where the whole of Lord Rama's army was destroyed by his sons, ] and ], and relates how at that time a jug of nectar descended from heaven to restore the soldiers to life. | |||
| Valmiki's ashram, it is said, lay within a short distance of the renowned "Pool of Nectar". In Valmiki's time, the area was a thick forest. There were around Valmiki's ashram some more tanks with historical associations. One such hexagonal tank, Ram Tirth, is at a distance of around 1.1 kilometres from Amritsar; the others are Ramsar, Santokhsar, Ram Talai and Durgiana. ] must have known-the legendary importance of the place when he sanctified the pool of nectar in the sixteenth century. | |||
| The temple is surrounded by a pool of water, known as the Sarovar. There are four entrances to the temple, signifying the importance of acceptance and openness. Anyone who wants to enter the Golden Temple may do so, irrespective of ], 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. All ] temples in the world follow this traditional rule that everyone is welcome to enter. | |||
| == Art == | |||
| Much of the present decorative gilding and marblework date from the early ]. All the gold and exquisite marble work were conducted under the patronage of Maharaja ]. The legendary warrior king was a heavy donor of wealth and materials for the shrine and is remembered with much affection by the Sikh community and ] people. | |||
| == Recent events == | |||
| On ], ] the ] decided to install ] around the Harmandir Complex and will be adding more security due to other ]. | |||
| ==Operation Blue Star== | |||
| {{main|Operation Blue Star}} | |||
| In ]-], ] ] ] ordered Operation Blue Star, a military assault on the Golden Temple, which had been occupied by ] and his militant supporters with a heavy cache of arms. Gandhi ordered the army to fight its way into the main shrine where Sikh militants had established their headquarters. The army unit involved was headed by Major General ], GOC, 9 Infantry Division. The occupiers refused to depart from their holiest shrine and a firefight ensued, with many killed and injured. | |||
| Sikhs everywhere were outraged at the desecration and their alienation was deep and had dramatic consequences: on October 31, 1984, ] was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards, ] and ]. | |||
| The temple was later repaired to correct the damage made by the militants and the military. Common people helped in that by acting as ]. | |||
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| ==In film and television== | |||
| *The temple is one of the locations of ] (2004). | |||
| *The temple is also in the Indian serial ] (2005). | |||
| *The temple is also one of the places visited by the BBCs ] for the ] 'Himalaya' (2004) | |||
| ==Notable visits== | |||
| *Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip — October 14, 1997 | |||
| *Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs— ] —January 2002 | |||
| *Prime Minister of Canada— ] —October 2003 | |||
| *Television Presenter and Actor; ] 2004 | |||
| *Indian President— ] —August 2004 | |||
| *Indian Prime Minister— ] —September 2004 | |||
| *British Foreign Secretary— ] —February 2005 | |||
| ==External links== | |||
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| {{Sikhism}} | |||
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Revision as of 08:09, 11 November 2005
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