Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is also known as Harmandir Sahib or Hari Mandir by the Sikhs. Located in Amritsar, Punjab, India, this beautiful building is the most important sacred shrine for the Sikhs, who travel from all parts of the world to pay their respects to this, their most important historic site.

Originally, this site was a small lake, surrounded by a thin forest. Travellers and holy people used the site for meditation and rest. These visitors recognised it as special for its tranquillity and pure and sweet water.

The lake was enlarged and a small community 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 the Golden Temple was built. A Muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir ji of Lahore in December 1588 initiated the construction of this wonderful building by laying the foundation stone. It was completed in 1601.

The temple is now 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.

In June 5 through 6, 1984 Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi ordered Operation Blue Star, a military assault on the Golden Temple, which had been occupied by Sant Jarnail Singh 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 83 soldiers and 493 occupiers – including the leaders – killed, and many more 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.

In film

The temple is one of the locations of Bride and Prejudice (2004).

External links

• Sikhs.org
• AllAboutSikhs.com
• Sikhnet.com
• Info-sikh.com
• SacredSites.com
• Sgpc.net
• SriGuruGranthSahib.org