Harmandir Sahib
The Harmandir Sahib, commonly known as the Golden Temple, is the holiest shrine of Sikhism, located in Amritsar, Punjab.
Significance
The Harmandir Sahib is the spiritual and cultural centre of the Sikh faith. The Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib) is installed within the sanctum, and continuous recitation of kīrtan (devotional music) fills the temple complex. The sarovar (sacred pool) surrounding the temple is believed to have healing properties.
History
According to a popular but historically unsupported tradition, the foundation stone was laid by the Sufi saint Mian Mir; the foundation of the present shrine was laid by Guru Arjan Dev in late 1588, reflecting the interfaith ethos of Sikhism. The temple was built by Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, and the Adi Granth was installed here in 1604. The temple was destroyed multiple times by Afghan invaders and rebuilt each time. The gold plating was added by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century.
Key features
The temple is built in the centre of the Amrit Sarovar and is connected to the mainland by a causeway. The gold-plated dome and marble lower structure are iconic. The Akal Takht, the highest seat of Sikh temporal authority, stands opposite the Harmandir Sahib. The langar (community kitchen) feeds an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 people daily.
Modern status
The temple is managed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). It is the most visited site in Punjab and a symbol of Sikh identity. Security and crowd management have been enhanced after the 1984 Operation Blue Star and subsequent events.
Verification notes
Status: verified. The temple’s history is extensively documented in Sikh religious and historical literature. The SGPC maintains comprehensive records of the shrine’s administration and events.
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).