India Guide
Haryana and Punjab
The Golden Temple
Even visitors without a religious bone in their bodies cannot fail to be moved by Amritsar's resplendent Golden Temple, spiritual centre of the Sikh faith and open to all. Built by GuruArjan Dev in the late sixteenth century, the richly gilded Harmandir rises from the middle of an artificial rectangular lake, connected to the surrounding white-marble complex by a narrow causeway. Every Sikh tries to make at least one pilgrimage here to listen to the sublime music (shabad kirtan), readings from the Adi Granth and also to bathe in the purifying waters of the temple tank – the Amrit Sarovar or "Pool of Immortality-Giving Nectar".
Directly opposite the ceremonial entrance to the Harmandir, the Akal Takht is the second most sacred shrine in the Golden Temple complex. A symbol of God's authority on earth, it was built by Guru Hargobind in the seventeenth century and came to house the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee, the religious and political governing body of the Sikh faith founded in 1925. The shrine has been largely rebuilt and now looks almost the same as it did before June 6, 1984, when Indian tanks put an end to Bhindranwale's siege by pumping a salvo of high-explosive squash-head shells into the delicate facade.
Visitors of all nationalities and religions are allowed into the Golden Temple provided they respect a few basic rules. Tobacco, alcohol and drugs of any kind are forbidden. Before entering, leave your shoes at the free cloakrooms, cover your head, and wash your feet in the pool below the steps. Photography is permitted around the pool, but not inside any of the shrines.
The best time to visit is early morning, to catch the first rays of sunlight gleaming on the bulbous golden domes and reflecting in the waters of the Amrit Sarovar. Sunset and evenings are an excellent time to tune in to the beautiful music performed in the Harmandir. The helpful information office (daily 7am–8pm) to the right of the main entrance organizes guided tours, provides details on temple accommodation and has books and leaflets about the temple and Sikh faith.