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Harmandir Sahib or Hari Mandir (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) is the most sacred gurdwara in all of Sikhism, located in Amritsar, Punjab, India. It was previously known as the Golden Temple, but was renamed in March 2005 by the SGPC. The temple is the most important sacred shrine for the Sikhs, 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 31°37′12″N 74°52′37″E / 31.62000°N 74.87694°E / 31.62000; 74.87694.
History
Originally during 1574, 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 (Guru Ram Das, 1574-1581). It was during the leadership of the fifth Guru (Guru Arjan, 1581-1606), that full fledged Temple was built. The land on which it was built was gifted to Guru Ram Das by the Mughal emperor Akbar. A Muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir of Lahore in December 1588 initiated the construction of the building by laying the foundation stone. It was completed in 1601. The temple was later attacked and had to be substantially rebuilt in the 1760s.
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 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. All Sikh 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 1800s. All the gold and exquisite marble work were conducted under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. 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 Punjabi people.
Recent events
On July 6, 2005 the SGPC decided to install closed circuit television cameras around the Harmandir Complex and will be adding more security due to other attacks in India on other religious areas.
Operation Blue Star
Main article: Operation Blue StarIn June 5-6, 1984 Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi ordered Operation Blue Star, a military assault on the Golden Temple, which had been occupied by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale 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 Kuldip Singh Brar, 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, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh.
The temple was later repaired to correct the damage made by the militants and the military. Common people helped in that by acting as Kar Sevaks.
In film and television
- The temple is one of the locations of Bride and Prejudice (2004).
- The temple is also in the Indian serial Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin (2005).
- The temple is also one of the places visited by the BBCs Michael Palin for the documentary 'Himalaya' (2004)
Notable visits
- Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip — October 14, 1997
- Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs— John Manley —January 2002
- Prime Minister of Canada— Jean Chretien —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
External links
- Sikhs.org
- AllAboutSikhs.com
- Sikhnet.com
- Info-sikh.com
- SacredSites.com
- Sgpc.net
- SriGuruGranthSahib.org
