{{Short description|Sikh religious site in Punjab, India}} {{pp-sock|small=yes}} {{Other uses|Golden Temple (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox religious building | name = Golden Temple | native_name = ''Harmandir Sāhib<br/>Darbār Sāhib'' | native_name_lang = [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] | image = The Golden Temple of Amrithsar 7.jpg | religious_affiliation = [[Sikhism]] | location = [[Amritsar]] | state = [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] | country = [[India]] | map_type = India Punjab#India#Asia | map_size = 200 | coordinates = {{coord|31|37|12|N|74|52|35|E|region:IN-PB|display=inline,title}} | year_completed = 1589 (temple)<br/>16 August 1604 (with Adi Granth){{Sfn|Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|2013|pp=41–42}} | footnotes = | architecture_style = [[Sikh architecture]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Tourism Dept fails to promote gurdwaras situated in Golden Temple periphery |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/tourism-dept-fails-to-promote-gurdwaras-situated-in-golden-temple-periphery-395576/ |work=The Tribune |date=17 May 2022 |access-date=13 September 2025}}</ref> | founded_by = [[Guru Arjan]] | groundbreaking = {{start date and age|December 1581}}{{sfn|Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|2013|pp=41–42}} | website = {{URL|https://sgpc.net/sri-harmandir-sahib/}} }} [[File:Complete view of Golden Temple complex 09.jpg|thumb|Complete view of Golden Temple complex]] The '''Golden Temple'''{{efn|also known as the '''Harmandir Sāhib''' {{lit|House of God}}, {{Indic Transl|pa|harimandara sāhiba|ɦəɾᵊmən̪d̪əɾᵊ saːɦ(ɪ)bᵊ}}, or the '''Darbār Sāhib''', {{lit|'exalted court'}}, {{IPA|pa|d̪əɾᵊbaːɾᵊ saːɦ(ɪ)bᵊ}}}} is a [[gurdwara]] located in [[Amritsar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India.<ref name=eos>{{cite encyclopedia|url= https://archive.org/details/TheEncyclopediaOfSikhism-VolumeIiE-l/page/n253|title= Harimandar|last1=Kerr|first1=Ian J.|editor=Harbans Singh |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia of Sikhism |publisher=Punjabi University Patiala|access-date=1 July 2018|pages=239–248|year=2011}}</ref>{{sfn|Eleanor Nesbitt|2016|pp=64–65, 150}} It is the pre-eminent spiritual site of [[Sikhism]] and is one of its [[Holy place|holiest sites]], alongside the Gurdwara [[Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur|Darbar Sahib]] in [[Kartarpur, Pakistan|Kartarpur]] and the Gurdwara [[Gurdwara Janam Asthan|Janam Asthan]] in [[Nankana Sahib]], both in [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], Pakistan.<ref name=eos/><ref name="Harmandir-Sahib">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Harmandir-Sahib |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |year=2014 |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Harmandir-Sahib |access-date=2 May 2018|archive-date=10 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310123229/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Harmandir-Sahib |url-status=live}}</ref>
The [[Temple tank|''sarovar'']] (holy pool) on the site of the gurdwara was completed by the fourth Sikh Guru, [[Guru Ram Das]], in 1577.{{sfn|Louis E. Fenech|W. H. McLeod|2014|p=33}}{{sfn|Pardeep Singh Arshi|1989|pp=5–7}} In 1604, [[Guru Arjan]], the fifth Sikh Guru, placed a copy of the [[Adi Granth]] in the Golden Temple and played a prominent role in its development.<ref name=eos/><ref name="Cole2004p7">{{harvnb|W. Owen Cole|2004|page=7}}</ref> The gurdwara was repeatedly rebuilt by the Sikhs after they became a target of [[Persecution of Sikhs|persecution]] and was destroyed several times by the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] and invading [[Durrani Empire|Afghan]] armies.<ref name=eos/><ref name="Harmandir-Sahib"/><ref name=runion70/> Maharaja [[Ranjit Singh]], after founding the [[Sikh Empire]], rebuilt it in marble and copper in 1809, and overlaid the sanctum with [[gold leaf]] in 1830. This has led to the name the Golden Temple.{{sfn|Trudy Ring|Noelle Watson|Paul Schellinger|2012|pp=28–29}}{{sfn|Eleanor Nesbitt|2016|pp=64–65}}<ref>{{cite book|author=Jean Marie Lafont|title=Maharaja Ranjit Singh: Lord of the Five Rivers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zjduAAAAMAAJ|year=2002|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-566111-8 |pages=95–96 }}</ref>
The Golden Temple is spiritually the most significant shrine in Sikhism. It became a centre of the [[Singh Sabha Movement]] between 1883 and the 1920s, and the [[Punjabi Suba movement|Punjabi Suba Movement]] between 1947 and 1966. In the early 1980s, the gurdwara became a centre of conflict between the Indian government and a radical movement led by [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies|last1=Fenech|first1=Louis E.|year=2014|pages=30–31|publisher=OUP Oxford|isbn=978-0-19-969930-8|quote=But this strategy backfired in the spring of 1984, when a group of armed radicals led by Bhindranwale decided to provoke a confrontation with the government by occupying Akal Takhat building inside the Golden Temple complex.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8I0NAwAAQBAJ&q=the+oxford+handbook+of+sikh+studies|access-date=19 March 2023|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408100757/https://books.google.com/books?id=8I0NAwAAQBAJ&q=the+oxford+handbook+of+sikh+studies|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1984, [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Indira Gandhi]] sent in the [[Indian Army]] as part of [[Operation Blue Star]], leading to the deaths of thousands of soldiers, militants and civilians, as well as causing significant damage to the gurdwara and the destruction of the nearby [[Akal Takht]] — the prime seat of authority for the Sikhs. The gurdwara complex was again rebuilt after the 1984 attack.<ref name="Harmandir-Sahib"/>
The Golden Temple is an open house of worship for all people, from all walks of life and faiths.<ref name=eos/> It has a square plan with four entrances, and a circumambulation path around the pool. The four entrances of the gurdwara symbolise the Sikh belief in equality and the Sikh view that people from all groups, castes and ethnicities are welcome at their holy place.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nature and importance of Harmandir Sahib – Pilgrimage |edition=GCSE Religious Studies Revision |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z3b42hv/revision/2 |access-date=17 March 2022 |work=BBC |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316232345/https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z3b42hv/revision/2 |url-status=live }}</ref> The complex is a collection of buildings around the sanctum and the pool.<ref name=eos/> One of these is Akal Takht, the chief centre of religious authority of Sikhism.<ref name="Harmandir-Sahib"/> Additional buildings include a clock tower, the offices of the Gurdwara Committee, a Museum and a [[Langar (Sikhism)|langar]] — a free Sikh community-run kitchen that offers a [[Vegetarianism and religion#Sikhism|vegetarian meal]] to all visitors without discrimination.<ref name="Harmandir-Sahib"/> Over 150,000 people visit the shrine every day for worship.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Soon-Golden-Temple-to-use-phone-jammers/articleshow/15036721.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126201851/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-19/india/32745911_1_phone-jammers-mobile-phones-cell-phones |url-status=live |archive-date=26 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |title= Soon, Golden Temple to use phone jammers|date=19 July 2012 |access-date=25 May 2023}}</ref> The gurdwara complex has been nominated as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]], and its application is pending on the [[List of World Heritage Sites in India|tentative list of UNESCO]].<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1858/ Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar, Punjab] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516231406/http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1858/ |date=16 May 2022 }}, UNESCO</ref>
==Nomenclature== The Harmandir Sahib is also spelled as Harimandar or Harimandir Sahib.<ref name=eos/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Asher |first=Catherine Blanshard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ctLNvx68hIC&pg=316 |title=Architecture of Mughal India |year=1992 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-26728-1 |page=316 |language=en |quote=Situated in the middle of an enormous tank connected to land via a long causeway, the shrine is known as Harimandir. |access-date=11 March 2022 |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101150152/https://books.google.com/books?id=3ctLNvx68hIC&pg=316 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is also called the ''[[Durbar (court)|Durbār]] Sahib'', which means "sacred audience", as well as the Golden Temple for its gold leaf-covered sanctum centre.<ref name="Harmandir-Sahib"/> The word "Harmandir" is composed of two words: "[[Hari]]", which scholars translate as "God ",<ref name=eos/> and "[[mandir]]", which means "house".{{sfn|Louis E. Fenech|W. H. McLeod|2014|p=146}} "[[Sahib]]" is further appended to the shrine's name, the term often used within Sikh tradition to denote respect for places of religious significance.<ref>{{Cite book |last=McLeod |first=W.H. |title=Historical Dictionary of Sikhism |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2014 |isbn=978-1442236011 |page=269}}</ref> The Sikh tradition has several gurdwaras named "Harmandir Sahib", such as those in [[Kiratpur Sahib|Kiratpur]] and [[Takht Sri Patna Sahib|Patna]]. Of these, the one in Amritsar is most revered.{{sfn|Henry Walker|2002|pp=95-98}}<ref>{{cite book|author=H. S. Singha|title=The Encyclopedia of Sikhism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gqIbJz7vMn0C&pg=PA97 |year=2000 |publisher=Hemkunt Press|isbn=978-81-7010-301-1|page=97}}</ref>
==History== [[File:Painting of Guru Arjan overseeing the construction of the original Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), circa 1890-95.jpg|thumb|[[Guru Arjan]] overseeing the construction of the original Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), painting from {{Circa|1890}}–95]] According to the Sikh historical records, the land that became Amritsar and houses the Harimandir Sahib was chosen by [[Guru Amar Das]], the third Guru of the Sikh tradition. It was then called ''Guru Da Chakk'', after he had asked his disciple Ram Das to find land to start a new town with a man-made pool as its central point.{{sfn|Louis E. Fenech|W. H. McLeod|2014|p=33}}{{sfn|Pardeep Singh Arshi|1989|pp=5–7}}<ref name=eosramdas/> After [[Guru Ram Das]] succeeded Guru Amar Das in 1574, and in the face of hostile opposition from the sons of Amar Das,{{sfn|Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|2013|pp=38–40}} Ram Das founded the town that came to be known as "Ramdaspur". He started by completing the pool with the help of [[Baba Buddha]] (not to be confused with the [[The Buddha|Buddha]] of Buddhism). Ram Das built his new official centre and home next to it. He invited merchants and artisans from other parts of India to settle in the new town with him.<ref name=eosramdas>{{cite web |author=G.S. Mansukhani |title=Encyclopaedia of Sikhism |url=http://www.learnpunjabi.org/eos/index.aspx |publisher=Punjab University Patiala |access-date=19 January 2017 |archive-date=29 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729230458/http://www.learnpunjabi.org/eos/index.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:A Sikh Guru (Perhaps Guru Arjan Dev) Seated in the Golden Temple at Amritsar, Guler, circa 1830.jpg|thumb|A Sikh Guru (perhaps Guru Arjan) seated in the Golden Temple at Amritsar in the late 16th or early 17th century, {{Circa|1830}} Guler painting]] Ramdaspur town expanded during the time of [[Guru Arjan]] financed by donations and constructed by voluntary work. The town grew to become the city of Amritsar, and the area grew into the temple complex).{{sfn|Christopher Shackle|Arvind Mandair|2013|pp=xv–xvi}} The construction activity between 1574 and 1604 is described in ''Mahima Prakash Vartak'', a semi-historical Sikh [[hagiography]] text likely composed in 1741, and the earliest known document dealing with the lives of all the ten Gurus.{{sfn|W. H. McLeod|1990|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=7xIT7OMSJ44C&pg=PA28 28–29]}} Guru Arjan installed the scripture of Sikhism inside the new gurdwara in 1604.{{sfn|Christopher Shackle|Arvind Mandair|2013|pp=xv–xvi}} Continuing the efforts of Ram Das, Guru Arjan established Amritsar as a primary Sikh pilgrimage destination. He wrote a voluminous amount of Sikh scripture including the popular [[Sukhmani Sahib]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Mahindara Siṅgha Joshī|title=Guru Arjan Dev |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PCQaSH_29i4C&pg=PA6 |year= 1994| publisher=Sahitya Akademi| isbn=978-81-7201-769-9|pages=6–8}}</ref>{{sfn|Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|2013|pp=42–43}}
===Construction=== [[File:Ranjit Singh at Harmandir Sahib - August Schoefft - Vienna 1850 - Princess Bamba Collection - Lahore Fort.jpg|thumb|Maharaja Ranjit Singh listening to [[Guru Granth Sahib]] being recited near the [[Akal Takht]] and Golden Temple, Amritsar, [[Punjab, India]].]] Guru Ram Das acquired the land for the site. Two versions of stories exist on how he acquired this land. In one, based on a Gazetteer record, the land was purchased with Sikh donations of 700 rupees from the people and owners of the village of [[Tung, Sikkim|Tung]]. In another version, Emperor [[Akbar]] is stated to have donated the land to the wife of Ram Das.<ref name=eosramdas/>{{sfn|Louis E. Fenech|W. H. McLeod| 2014|p=67}} [[File:The Golden Temple in 1840.png|thumb|The Golden Temple, Amritsar, {{Circa|1840}}]]In 1581, Guru Arjan initiated construction.{{sfn|Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|2013|pp=41–42}} During the construction the pool was kept empty and dry. It took eight years to complete the first version of the Harmandir Sahib. Guru Arjan planned a gurdwara at a level lower than the city to emphasise humility and the need to efface one's ego before entering the premises to meet the Guru.{{sfn|Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|2013|pp=41–42}} He also demanded that the gurdwara compound be open on all sides to emphasise that it was open to all. The sanctum inside the pool where his Guru seat was, had only one bridge to emphasise that the end goal was one, states Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair.{{sfn|Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|2013|pp=41–42}} In 1589, the gurdwara made with bricks was complete. Guru Arjan is believed by some later sources to have invited the Sufi saint [[Mian Mir]] of [[Lahore]] to lay its foundation stone, signalling pluralism and that the Sikh tradition welcomed all.{{sfn|Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|2013|pp=41–42}} This belief is however unsubstantiated.{{sfn|Louis E. Fenech|W. H. McLeod|2014|p=205}}<ref>{{cite book |title=State Formation and the Establishment of Non-Muslim Hegemony: Post-Mughal 19th-century Punjab |author=Rishi Singh |year=2015 |publisher=Sage Publications India |isbn=978-9351505044}} It is, however, possible that Mian Mir, who had close links to Guru Arjan, was invited and present at the time of the laying of the foundation stone, even if he did not lay the foundation stone himself.</ref> According to Sikh traditional sources such as [[Suraj Parkash|Sri Gur Suraj Parkash Granth]] it was laid by Guru Arjan himself.<ref>{{cite book |title=State Formation and the Establishment of Non-Muslim Hegemony: Post-Mughal 19th-century Punjab |author=Rishi Singh |year=2015 |publisher=Sage Publications India |isbn=978-9351505044}}</ref> After the inauguration, the pool was filled with water. On 16 August 1604, Guru Arjan completed expanding and compiling the first version of the Sikh scripture and placed a copy of the [[Adi Granth]] in the gurdwara. He appointed [[Baba Buddha]] as the first [[Granthi]].{{sfn|Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh |2011|pp=34–35}}
''Ath Sath Tirath'' ("shrine of 68 pilgrimages"), is a raised canopy on the ''parkarma'' (circumambulation marble path around the pool).<ref name=eos/><ref name="Cole2004p7"/><ref>{{cite book |author=Madanjit Kaur |title=The Golden Temple: Past and Present |location=Amritsar |publisher=Dept. of Guru Nanak Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University Press |year=1983 |page=174 |oclc=18867609 |url=http://www.panjabdigilib.org/webuser/searches/displayPageContent.jsp?ID=2638&page=240&CategoryID=1&Searched=W3GX |access-date=2 September 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204001403/http://www.panjabdigilib.org/webuser/searches/displayPageContent.jsp?ID=2638&page=240&CategoryID=1&Searched=W3GX |url-status=live }}</ref> The name, as stated by W. Owen Cole and other scholars, reflects the belief that visiting this temple is equivalent to 68 Hindu pilgrimage sites in the Indian subcontinent, or that a Tirath to the Golden Temple has the efficacy of all 68 Tiraths combined.<ref name="Cole2004p6"/>{{sfn|Pashaura Singh| Louis E. Fenech|2014|pp=435–436}} The completion of the first version of the Golden Temple was a major milestone for Sikhism, states Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair, because it provided a central pilgrimage place and a rallying point for the Sikh community, set within a hub of trade and activity.{{sfn|Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|2013|pp=41–42}} [[File:Golden Temple, Amritsar 03.jpg|thumb|The Golden Temple at twilight]]
===Mughal Empire era destruction and rebuilding=== The growing influence and success of Guru Arjan drew the attention of the [[Mughal Empire]]. Guru Arjan was arrested under the orders of the Mughal Emperor [[Jahangir]] and asked to convert to Islam.<ref name=ps5/><ref name="McLeodp20"/> He refused, was tortured and executed in 1606.<ref name=ps5>{{cite journal|author=Pashaura Singh |date=2005|url=http://www.global.ucsb.edu/punjab/journal_12_1/3_singh.pdf |title=Understanding the Martyrdom of Guru Arjan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175032/http://www.global.ucsb.edu/punjab/journal_12_1/3_singh.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 |journal=Journal of Punjab Studies |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=29–62}}</ref><ref name="McLeodp20">{{cite book|title= The A to Z of Sikhism|author= W. H. McLeod|chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vgixwfeCyDAC&pg=PA20|publisher= Scarecrow Press|year= 2009|isbn= 978-0810863446|page= 20|chapter= Arjan's Death|quote= The Mughal rulers of Punjab were evidently concerned with the growth of the Panth, and in 1605 the Emperor Jahangir made an entry in his memoirs, the ''Tuzuk-i-Jahāṅgīrī'', concerning Guru Arjan's support for his rebellious son [[Khusrau Mirza]]. Too many people, he wrote, were being persuaded by his teachings, and if the Guru would not become a Muslim the Panth had to be extinguished. Jahangir believed that Guru Arjan was a Hindu who pretended to be a saint and that he had been thinking of forcing Guru Arjan to convert to Islam or his false trade should be eliminated, for a long time. Mughal authorities seem to have been responsible for Arjan's death in custody in Lahore, and this may be accepted as an established fact. Whether the death was by execution, the result of torture, or drowning in the Ravi River remains unresolved. For Sikhs, Guru Arjan Dev is the first martyr Guru.|author-link= W. H. McLeod|access-date= 8 August 2020|archive-date= 8 March 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240308155305/https://books.google.com/books?id=vgixwfeCyDAC&pg=PA20#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>Louis E. Fenech, Martyrdom in the Sikh Tradition, Oxford University Press, pp. 118–121</ref> Arjan's son and successor [[Guru Hargobind]] fought a [[Battle of Amritsar (1634)|Battle at Amritsar]] and later left Amritsar and its surrounding areas in 1635 for [[Kiratpur Sahib|Kiratpur]].{{sfn|Louis E. Fenech|W. H. McLeod|2014|pp=146–147}}{{sfn|Syan|2014|p=176}} For about a century after the Golden Temple was occupied by the [[Mina (Sikhism)|Minas]].{{sfn|Louis E. Fenech|W. H. McLeod|2014|pp=146–147}} In the 18th century, [[Guru Gobind Singh]] after creating the [[Khalsa]] sent [[Bhai Mani Singh]] to take back the temple.{{sfn|Louis E. Fenech|W. H. McLeod|2014|pp=146–147}}<ref name="mcleod130">{{cite book |author=W. H. McLeod |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ma3G-hjh6SwC |title=Historical Dictionary of Sikhism |publisher=Scarecrow |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-8108-5088-0 |pages=130–131}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=The encyclopaedia of Sikhism |date=1992–1998 |publisher=Punjabi University |author=Harbans Singh |isbn=0-8364-2883-8 |volume=3 |location=Patiala |pages=88 |oclc=29703420 }}</ref> The Golden Temple was viewed by the Mughal rulers and Afghan Sultans as the centre of Sikh faith and it remained the main target of persecution.<ref name=runion70>{{cite book|author=M. L. Runion|title=The History of Afghanistan, 2nd Edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aZk9XzqCFGUC|year=2017|publisher=Greenwood|isbn=978-0-313-33798-7|pages=69–71|access-date=2 May 2018|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308155231/https://books.google.com/books?id=aZk9XzqCFGUC|url-status=live}}, Quote: "Ahmad Durrani was forced to return to India and [he] declared a jihad, known as an Islamic holy war, against the Marathas. A multitude of tribes heralded the call of the holy war, which included the various Pashtun tribes, the Balochs, the Tajiks, and also the Muslim population residing in India. Led by Ahmad Durrani, the tribes joined the religious quest and returned to India (...) The domination and control of the [Afghan] empire began to loosen in 1762 when Ahmad Shah Durrani crossed Afghanistan to subdue the Sikhs, followers of an indigenous monotheistic religion of India found in the 16th century by Guru Nanak. (...) Ahmad Shah greatly desired to subdue the Sikhs, and his army attacked and gained control of the Sikh's holy city of Amritsar, where he brutally massacred thousands of Sikh followers. Not only did he viciously demolish the sacred temples and buildings, but he ordered these holy places to be covered with cow's blood as an insult and desecration of their religion (...)"</ref> After the original temple was destroyed by hostile forces, the shrine was reconstructed in 1764 (a date which H.H. Cole affirms in his monograph on the temple), however most of the elaborate decorations and additions were added to the shrine in the early 19th century.<ref name=":25">{{Cite book |last=Kang |first=Kanwarjit Singh |title=Punjab Art and Culture |publisher=Atma Ram & Sons |year=1988 |isbn=9788170430964 |pages=56–62 |chapter=13. Art and Architecture of the Golden Temple}}</ref> However, according to [[Giani Gian Singh]]'s ''Tawarikh Sri Amritsar'' (1889), a slightly later date of 1776 is given for the construction of the temple tank (sarovar), the temple edifice proper, the causeway, and the entry gateway or archway (''Darshani Deori'').<ref name=":25" />
The Golden Temple was the centre of historic events in Sikh history:{{sfn|Pardeep Singh Arshi|1989|pp=22–25}}{{sfn|Trudy Ring|Noelle Watson|Paul Schellinger|2012|pp=28–29}}
* In 1709, the governor of Lahore sent in his army to suppress and prevent the Sikhs from gathering for their festivals of [[Vaisakhi]] and [[Diwali]]. The Sikhs defied by gathering in the Golden Temple. In 1716, Banda Singh and numerous Sikhs were arrested and executed. * In 1737, the Mughal governor ordered the capture of the custodian of the Golden Temple named Mani Singh and executed him. He appointed [[Massa Ranghar|Masse Khan]] as the police commissioner who then occupied the Temple and converted it into his entertainment centre with dancing girls. He befouled the pool. Sikhs avenged the sacrilege of the Golden Temple by assassinating Masse Khan inside the Temple in August 1740. * In 1746, another Lahore official Diwan [[Jaspat Rai#Lakhpat Rai|Lakhpat Rai]] working for Yahiya Khan, and seeking revenge for the death of his brother, filled the pool with sand. In 1749, Sikhs restored the pool when Muin ul-Mulk slackened Mughal operations against Sikhs and sought their help during his operations in Multan. * In 1757, the Afghan ruler [[Ahmad Shah Durrani]], also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali, attacked Amritsar and desecrated the Golden Temple.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Bakshi |first1=Artika Aurora |last2=Dhillon |first2=Ganeev Kaur |date= |title=The Mural Arts of Panjab |url=https://nishaannagaara.com/the-mural-arts-of-panjab/ |access-date=26 May 2023 |website=Nishaan Nagaara Magazine |archive-date=26 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526032447/https://nishaannagaara.com/the-mural-arts-of-panjab/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He had waste poured into the pool along with entrails of slaughtered cows, before departing for Afghanistan. The Sikhs restored it again. * In 1762, Ahmad Shah Durrani returned and had the Golden Temple blown up with gunpowder.<ref name=":1" /> Sikhs returned and celebrated [[Diwali]] in its premises. In 1764, [[Jassa Singh Ahluwalia]] collected donations to rebuild the Golden Temple.<ref name=":25" /> A new main gateway (Darshan Deorhi), causeway and sanctum were completed in 1776, while the floor around the pool was completed in 1784.<ref name=":25" /> The Sikhs also completed a canal to bring in fresh water from [[Ravi River]] for the pool. * The Golden Temple was attacked by the Afghan forces under Ahmed Shah Durrani on 1 December 1764. [[Baba Gurbaksh Singh]] along with 29 other Sikhs lead a last stand against the much larger Afghan forces and were killed in the skirmish.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harbans |url=https://archive.org/details/TheEncyclopediaOfSikhism-VolumeIiE-l/page/131/mode/2up |title=The Encyclopedia of Sikhism Volume II E-L |publisher=Punjabi University, Patiala |year=2011 |isbn=978-81-7380-204-1 |edition=3rd |pages=131–132}}</ref> Abdali then destroyed the Golden Temple for the 3rd time.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gupta |first=Hari |url=https://archive.org/details/HistoryOfTheSikhsVol.IiEvolutionOfSikhConfederacies1707-69/page/n229/mode/2up |title=History Of The Sikhs Vol. II Evolution Of Sikh Confederacies (1707–69) |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd. |year=2007 |isbn=978-81-215-0248-1 |pages=216}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
===Ranjit Singh era reconstruction=== [[File:1880 photograph of the Golden Temple, Darbar Sahib, sacred pool and nearby buildings, Amritsar.jpg|thumb|An 1880 photograph of the Golden Temple, the sarovar (sacred pool) and the nearby buildings. The walled courtyard and entrances were added later.]] [[Ranjit Singh]] founded the nucleus of the Sikh Empire at the age of 36 with help of [[Sukerchakia Misl]] forces he inherited and those of his mother-in-law Rani Sada Kaur. In 1802, at age 22, he took Amritsar from the ''Bhangi misl'', paid homage at the Golden Temple and announced that he would renovate and rebuild it with marble and gold.<ref>{{cite book|author=Patwant Singh|title=Empire of the Sikhs: The Life and Times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vr4VAQAAIAAJ |year=2008| publisher=Peter Owen| isbn=978-0-7206-1323-0| pages=18, 177 }}</ref><ref name=":25" /> The Sikh ruler donated the gilded copper panels for the roof, which was worth 500,000 rupees in the erstwhile currency.<ref name=":25" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=www.DiscoverSikhism.com |url=https://archive.org/details/TheEncyclopediaOfSikhism-VolumeIiE-l/page/239/mode/2up |title=The Encyclopedia Of Sikhism - Volume II E-L |language=English}}</ref> He entrusted ''[[Mistri]]'' Yar Muhammad Khan to carry-out the roofing work, who himself was supervised by Bhai Sand Singh.<ref name=":25" /> The first gilded copper panel was placed on the shrine in 1803.<ref name=":25" />
Various personalities helped decorate and embellish the ceiling of the first floor, with names of some contributors to the cause being Tara Singh Gheba, Partap Singh, Jodh Singh, and Ganda Singh Peshawari.<ref name=":25" /> Ganda Singh Peshawari sent his donation in the year 1823.<ref name=":25" /> For the decoration and gilding with copper of the main entryway and archway to the causeway leading to the temple proper, known as the ''Darshani Deori'', the prime personality who helped assist with this work was [[Jind State|Raja Sangat Singh of Jind State]].<ref name=":25" /> Due to the central and paramount importance of the shrine in Sikhism, essentially every Sikh ''[[sardar]]'' of the era had contributed or donated in some manner to assist with the architectural and artistic renovations of the shrine.<ref name=":25" /> Owing to the large number of people helping with the renovation work back then, it is difficult to account for when certain parts of the temple were constructed or decorated and by whom (aside from instances where the work has a date inscribed to it) and a chronological record of how the temple evolved over time (in-regards to its murals, decorations, and other aspects) is near-impossible to complete.<ref name=":25" />
The Temple was renovated in marble and copper in 1809, and in 1830 Ranjit Singh donated gold to overlay the sanctum with gold leaf.{{sfn|Trudy Ring|Noelle Watson|Paul Schellinger|2012|pp=28–29}} There is an inscription on embossed metal located at the entrance to the temple proper which commemorates the renovations of the temple undertaken by Ranjit Singh and done through Giani Sant Singh, of the Giani Samparda.<ref name=":25" />
{{Blockquote|text="The Great Guru in His wisdom looked upon Maharaja Ranjit Singh as his chief servitor and Sikh and, in his benevolence, bestowed on him the privilege of serving the temple."|source=English translation of a Gurmukhi inscription on embossed metal located at the entrance way to the temple, translated in 'Punjab Art and Culture' (1988), page 59, by Kanwarjit Singh Kang}}
After learning of the gurdwara through Ranjit Singh,<ref name="nizam & maharaja">{{cite web |title=Maharaja Ranjit Singh's contributions to Harimandir Sahib |url=https://www.allaboutsikhs.com/harmandir-sahib/maharaja-ranjit-singhs-contributions-to-harimandir-sahib |access-date=25 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417180858/http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/harmandir-sahib/maharaja-ranjit-singhs-contributions-to-harimandir-sahib |archive-date=17 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the 7th [[Nizam]] of [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]], [[Mir Osman Ali Khan]] started giving yearly grants towards it.<ref name="outlook">{{cite news |last1=Pandharipande |first1=Reeti |last2=Nadimpally |first2=Lasya |title=A Brief History of The Nizams of Hyderabad |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/traveller/ot-getaway-guides/the-nizams/ |access-date=7 March 2021 |work=Outlook Traveller |date=5 August 2017 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402071725/https://www.outlookindia.com/traveller/ot-getaway-guides/the-nizams/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The management and operation of Durbar Sahib – a term that refers to the entire Golden Temple complex of buildings, was taken over by Ranjit Singh. He appointed Sardar Desa Singh Majithia (1768–1832) to manage it and made land grants whose collected revenue was assigned to pay for the Temple's maintenance and operation.
[[Hari Singh Nalwa]], a general of [[Ranjit Singh|Maharaja Ranjit Singh]], decorated the Akal Takht with gold and is responsible for adding the golden dome at the top of the edifice.<ref>Sohan Lal Suri. 19th century. Umdat-ut-tawarikh, Daftar III, Part 2, trans. V.S. Suri, (1961) 2002, Amritsar: Guru Nanak Dev University, f. 260</ref><ref name=":25" />
Ranjit Singh also made the position of Temple officials hereditary.<ref name=eos/> The Giani family was the only family allowed to do Katha in the Golden Temple, they served the Sikh community till 1921, when the [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]] came into power, they were the only family allowed to do Katha since 1788 and were also he heads of the Giani Samparda, they had built all the Bungas around the Golden Temple and helped in construction work including overlaying the temple with Gold and Marble.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nama |first=Khalsa |date=8 March 2024 |title=The Origins of the Giani Samprada: Giani Surat Singh |url=https://khalsachronicle.substack.com/p/the-origins-of-the-giani-samprada |access-date=26 July 2024 |website=The Khalsa Chronicle}}</ref> One of the main Bungas that was destroyed in 1988 was the [[Burj Gianian]]. The other family were the Kapurs, who were made as the Head Granthis, this included the ancestors of [[Jawahir Singh Kapur|Bhai Jawahir Singh Kapur]] who also did try to become the Head Granthi in the late 1800s, but was not allowed (his father Bhai Atma Singh, grandfather Bhai Mohar Singh and their ancestors were also Head Granthis).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Kapurs, including Bhai Jawahir Singh Kapur |url=https://www.vidhia.com/Historical%2C%20Political%2C%20Philosophical%20and%20Informational/SINGH_SABHA_AND_OTHER_SOCIO-RELIGIOUS_MOVEMENTS.pdf}}</ref>
===Destruction and reconstruction after Indian independence=== {{See also|Operation Blue Star}}
The destruction of the temple complex occurred during the [[Operation Blue Star]]. It was the codename of an Indian military action carried out between 1 and 8 June 1984 to remove militant Sikh [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] and his followers from the buildings of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in [[Amritsar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]. The decision to launch the attack rested with [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Indira Gandhi]].<ref name="TH_Mi6">{{cite news|title=RAW chief consulted MI6 in build-up to Operation Bluestar|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/raw-chief-consulted-mi6-in-buildup-to-operation-bluestar/article5579516.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=16 January 2014|access-date=31 January 2014|location=Chennai, India|first=Praveen|last=Swami|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118044721/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/raw-chief-consulted-mi6-in-buildup-to-operation-bluestar/article5579516.ece|archive-date=18 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 1982, [[Harchand Singh Longowal]], the President of the Sikh political party [[Akali Dal]], had invited Bhindranwale to take up residence in the Golden Temple Complex to evade arrest.<ref>Khushwant Singh, A History of the Sikhs, Volume II: 1839–2004, New Delhi, Oxford University Press, 2004, p. 332.</ref><ref name="dnaindia.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-operation-blue-star-india-s-first-tryst-with-militant-extremism-2270293|title=Operation Blue Star: India's first tryst with militant extremism|date=5 November 2016|work=DNA|access-date=29 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103012225/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-operation-blue-star-india-s-first-tryst-with-militant-extremism-2270293|archive-date=3 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The government claimed Bhindranwale later made the sacred temple complex an [[arsenal|armoury]] and headquarters.<ref name="LA_accord">{{cite news |title=Sikh Leader in Punjab Accord Assassinated |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-08-21-mn-1021-story.html |access-date=14 June 2018 |agency=Times Wire Services |newspaper=LA Times|date=21 August 1985 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129025949/http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-21/news/mn-1021_1_sikh-militants |archive-date=29 January 2016 |url-status=live|quote=The Punjab violence reached a peak in June, 1984, when the army attacked the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest Sikh shrine, killing hundreds of Sikh militants who lived in the temple complex, and who the government said had turned it into an armory for Sikh terrorism. }}</ref>
On 1 June 1984, after negotiations with the militants failed, Indira Gandhi ordered the army to launch Operation Blue Star, simultaneously attacking scores of gurudwaras across Punjab.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia | title =India | encyclopedia = Encyclopædia Britannica | editor-last = Wolpert | editor-first = Stanley A. | year = 2009 }}</ref> A variety of army units and paramilitary forces surrounded the Golden Temple complex on 3 June 1984. The fighting started on 5 June with skirmishes and the battle went on for three days, ending on 8 June. A clean-up operation codenamed [[Operation Woodrose]] was also initiated throughout Punjab.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kiessling |first1=Hein |title=Faith, Unity, Discipline: The Inter-Service-Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan |date=2016 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-1849048637 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y_cgDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT146 |access-date=4 July 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308155446/https://books.google.com/books?id=y_cgDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT146#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>
The army had underestimated the firepower possessed by the militants, whose armament included Chinese-made [[rocket-propelled grenade launchers]] with armour piercing capabilities. [[Tank]]s and [[heavy artillery]] were used to attack the militants, who responded with anti-tank and machine-gun fire from the heavily fortified Akal Takht. After a 24-hour firefight, the army gained control of the temple complex. Casualty figures for the army were 83 dead and 249 injured.<ref>{{cite web |author= Varinder Walia |date= 20 March 2007 |url= http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070320/punjab1.htm |title= Army reveals startling facts on Bluestar |work= Tribune India |access-date= 9 August 2009 |archive-date= 5 July 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090705183849/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070320/punjab1.htm |url-status= live }}</ref> According to the official estimates, 1,592 militants were apprehended and there were 493 combined militant and civilian casualties.<ref>{{cite book |title=White Paper on the Punjab Agitation |date=1984 |publisher=[[Shiromani Akali Dal]] and [[Government of India]] |page=169 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wqSAngEACAAJ&q=493 |access-date=4 July 2020 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072248/https://books.google.com/books?id=wqSAngEACAAJ&q=493 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the government claims, high civilian casualties were attributed to militants using [[pilgrim]]s trapped inside the temple as [[human shield]]s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kiss |first1=Peter A. |title=Winning Wars amongst the People: Case Studies in Asymmetric Conflict |date=2014 |publisher=Potomac Books |isbn=978-1612347004 |page=100 |edition=Illustrated |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uIY6AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA100 |access-date=4 July 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308155349/https://books.google.com/books?id=uIY6AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA100#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Brahma Chellaney]], the [[Associated Press]]'s South Asia correspondent, was the only foreign reporter who managed to stay on in [[Amritsar]] despite the media blackout.<ref name=casualities3>{{cite news | last = Hamlyn |first =Michael | title = Amritsar witness puts death toll at 1000| page =7| work = The Times| date = 12 June 1984}}</ref> His dispatches, filed by [[telex]], provided the first non-governmental news reports on the bloody operation in Amritsar. His first dispatch, front-paged by ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''[[The Times]] of London'' and ''[[The Guardian]]'', reported a death toll about twice of what authorities had admitted. According to the dispatch, about 780 militants and civilians and 400 troops had perished in fierce gun-battles.<ref>{{cite news|title=Golden Temple Sikhs Surrender|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/1984/jun/07/fromthearchive|author=Eric Silver|work=The Guardian|date=7 June 1984|access-date=8 March 2021|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309164619/http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/1984/jun/07/fromthearchive|url-status=live}}</ref> Chellaney reported that about "eight to ten" men suspected of being Sikh militants had been shot with their hands tied. In that dispatch, Chellaney interviewed a doctor who said he had been picked up by the army and forced to conduct postmortems despite the fact he had never done any postmortem examination before.<ref name=tiedandshot>{{cite news | last = Chellaney |first = Brahma | title = Sikhs in Amritsar 'tied up and shot'| work = The Times| date = 14 June 1984}}</ref> In reaction to the dispatch, the Indian government charged Chellaney with violating Punjab press censorship, two counts of fanning sectarian hatred and trouble, and later with sedition,<ref>{{cite news| title =India is set to drop prosecution of AP reporter in Punjab Case| agency =Associated Press| page =5| work =The New York Times| date =14 September 1985| url =http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0F11FC3D5D0C778DDDA00894DD484D81| access-date =14 January 2009| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110102045846/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0F11FC3D5D0C778DDDA00894DD484D81| archive-date =2 January 2011| url-status =live| df =dmy-all}}</ref> calling his report baseless and disputing his casualty figures.<ref>{{cite news| title = Indian Police Question Reporter on Amritsar| agency = Associated Press| work = The New York Times| date = 24 November 1984| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9401E6DA1638F937A15752C1A962948260| access-date = 14 January 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110103080208/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9401E6DA1638F937A15752C1A962948260| archive-date = 3 January 2011| url-status = live| df = dmy-all}}</ref>
The military action in the temple complex was criticised by Sikhs worldwide, who interpreted it as an assault on the Sikh religion.<ref name=david>{{cite book | last = Westerlund | first = David | title = Questioning The Secular State: The Worldwide Resurgence of Religion in Politics. | publisher=C. Hurst & Co |year=1996 |page=1276 |isbn =978-1-85065-241-0 }}</ref> Many Sikh soldiers [[Desertion|deserted]] their units;<ref name="IT_deserters">{{cite news |last1=Sandhu |first1=Kanwar |title=Sikh Army deserters are paying the price for their action |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19900515-sikh-army-deserters-struggle-to-earn-livelihood-812580-1990-05-15 |access-date=19 June 2018 |publisher=India Today |date=15 May 1990 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619214140/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19900515-sikh-army-deserters-struggle-to-earn-livelihood-812580-1990-05-15 |archive-date=19 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> several Sikhs resigned from civil administrative office and returned awards received from the [[Indian government]]. Five months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was [[Assassination of Indira Gandhi|assassinated]] in an act of revenge by her two Sikh bodyguards, [[Satwant Singh]] and [[Beant Singh (assassin)|Beant Singh]].<ref name="dnaindia.com"/> Public outcry over Gandhi's death led to the killings of more than 3,000 Sikhs in Delhi alone in the ensuing [[1984 anti-Sikh riots]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Pritam|title=Federalism, Nationalism and Development: India and the Punjab Economy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mQLDcjhNoJwC&pg=PR4|year=2008|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-45666-1|page=45|access-date=4 July 2020|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308155232/https://books.google.com/books?id=mQLDcjhNoJwC&pg=PR4|url-status=live}}</ref> A few months after the government operation of 1984, major ''[[Sevā|kar seva]]'' renovations were undertaken at the shrine complex, including a complete draining and then cleaning of the temple tank (''sarovar'') by volunteers.<ref name=":25" />
Following the operation the [[Government of India|central government]] demolished hundreds of houses and created a corridor around the compound called "Galliara" (also spelled Galiara or Galyara) for security reasons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/amritsar/five-years-on-govt-yet-to-announce-closure-of-galliara-project-191665|title=Five years on, govt yet to announce closure of Galliara Project : The Tribune India|access-date=26 February 2023|archive-date=26 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226214852/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/amritsar/five-years-on-govt-yet-to-announce-closure-of-galliara-project-191665|url-status=live}}</ref> This was made into a public park and opened in June 1988.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/sgpc-seeks-control-of-golden-temple-galliara-heritage-street-101627674792222.html|title=SGPC seeks control of Golden Temple galliara, heritage street|date=31 July 2021|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=26 February 2023|archive-date=26 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226214848/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/sgpc-seeks-control-of-golden-temple-galliara-heritage-street-101627674792222.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/golden-temple-galiara-haven-for-drug-addicts-cops-claim-no-info-2908745/|title=Golden Temple: Galiara haven for drug addicts, cops claim 'no info'|date=12 July 2016|access-date=26 February 2023|archive-date=26 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226214854/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/golden-temple-galiara-haven-for-drug-addicts-cops-claim-no-info-2908745/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/nanhi-chhaan-s-golden-temple-galliara-upkeep-contract-ends-562238|title=Nanhi Chhaan's Golden Temple 'galliara' upkeep contract ends : The Tribune India|access-date=26 February 2023|archive-date=26 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226214848/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/nanhi-chhaan-s-golden-temple-galliara-upkeep-contract-ends-562238|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Golden temple's galiara, a picture of complete neglect |url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/hindustan-times-amritsar/20190124/281835759905392 |via=PressReader |access-date=26 February 2023 |archive-date=26 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226214847/https://www.pressreader.com/india/hindustan-times-amritsar/20190124/281835759905392 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In December 2021, a young man was allegedly beaten to death after disrupting the [[Rehras Sahib]] (evening prayer) at the sanctum of the temple. He reportedly jumped over a railing and picked up the sword lying before the temple's copy of the [[Guru Granth Sahib]], before attempting to touch the Guru Granth Sahib itself. He was subsequently overpowered by the pilgrims and received fatal injuries to the head.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amritsar/amritsar-youth-disrupt-religious-service-in-golden-temple/articleshow/88361638.cms|title=Amritsar: Youth disrupts religious service in Golden Temple|newspaper=Times of India|date=19 December 2021|accessdate=19 December 2021|first=Yudhvir|last=Rana|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219003839/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amritsar/amritsar-youth-disrupt-religious-service-in-golden-temple/articleshow/88361638.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
The [[2023 Golden Temple blasts]] occurred on 7 May and on 9 May 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=National Security Guard team at Amritsar twin blast site |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/national-security-guard-team-at-amritsar-twin-blast-site20230509091226/ |access-date=25 June 2023 |work=ANI News |date=9 May 2023 |archive-date=16 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516160640/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/national-security-guard-team-at-amritsar-twin-blast-site20230509091226/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Architecture== {{See also|Sikh architecture}} {{anchor | arch }}
[[File:The Golden temple map.jpg|thumb|left|The Golden temple complex map]] [[File:Ceiling of the Golden Temple in gold and precious stones.JPG|thumb|The ceiling of Harmandir Sahib is made with [[gold]] and precious stones.]] [[File:Entrance to Golden Temple, Amritsar.jpg|thumb|The Darshani Deorhi Arch, entrance to the Harmandir Sahib complex]]
The Golden Temple's architecture reflects different architectural practices prevalent in the [[Indian subcontinent]], as various iterations of temple were rebuilt and restored.<ref name=":25" />
The first structure of the Harmandir Sahib constructed under the purview of Guru Arjan combined the concepts of ''[[Dharamshala (type of building)|dharamsaals]]'' and the holy water tanks (''[[Temple tank|sarovar]]'').<ref name=":25" /> Rather than copying the traditional method of Hindu temple construction by building the shrine on a high plinth, Guru Arjan rather decided to build the shrine lower than the surroundings so that devotees would have to walk downwards to reach it.<ref name=":25" /> The four entrances represented that the Sikh faith was equally open to all four of the traditional Indian caste classifications (''[[Varna (Hinduism)|varnas]]'').<ref name=":25" /> No surviving account, depiction, or record is extant or known of the proto-type, pre-1764 Harmandir Sahib that was built by the Sikh gurus themselves.<ref name=":25" /> However, [[Kanwarjit Singh Kang]] believes the original, Guru-constructed structure was mostly comparable and similar to the present-day structure said to have been constructed in 1764.<ref name=":25" />
[[James Fergusson (architect)|James Fergusson]] considered the Golden Temple as a specimen of one of the forms that the architecture of Hindu temples developed into in the 19th century.<ref name=":25" /> When a list of structures of interest was prepared and published by the colonial government of Punjab in 1875, it was claimed that the architectural design of the Golden Temple, in the form it was constructed as by Ranjit Singh, was based ultimately on the [[Shrine of Mian Mir|shrine]] of the Sufi saint [[Mian Mir]].<ref name=":25" /> [[Louis Rousselet]] stated in 1882 that the shrine was a "handsome style of [[Jats|Jat]] architecture."<ref name=":25" /> Major Henry Hardy Cole described the architecture of the edifice as being primarily drawn from [[Islamic architecture|Islamic sources]] with a significant input from [[Hindu architecture|Hindu styles]].<ref name=":25" /> [[Percy Brown (art historian)|Percy Brown]] also classified the temple as being a synthesis of Islamic and Hindu architectural styles, but also observed that the structure has its own unique characteristics and inventions.<ref name=":25" /> [[Hermann Goetz (art historian)|Hermann Goetz]] believed that the temple's architecture was a "[[Kangra State|Kangra]] transformation of [[Awadh|Oudh]] architecture" that the Sikhs adopted for their own constructions, which he praises, however he also critiqued the temple for having "gaudy" elements commonly found in Indian gurdwaras, an example being the [[Rococo|rococo-styled art]].<ref name=":25" /> The Temple is described by Ian Kerr, and other scholars, as a mixture of the Indo-Islamic Mughal and the Hindu Rajput architecture.<ref name="eos" /><ref>{{harvnb|Eleanor Nesbitt|2016|pp=64–65}} Quote: "The Golden Temple (...) By 1776, the present structure, a harmonious blending of Mughal and Rajput (Islamic and Hindu) architectural styles was complete."</ref>
The sanctum is a 12.25 x 12.25 metre square with two storeys and a gold leaf dome. This sanctum has a marble platform that is a 19.7 x 19.7 metre square. It sits inside an almost square (154.5 x 148.5 m<sup>2</sup>) pool called ''amritsar'' or ''amritsarovar'' (''amrit'' means nectar, ''sar'' is short form of ''sarovar'' and means pool). The pool is 5.1 metres deep and is surrounded by a 3.7 metre wide circumambulatory marble passage that is circled clockwise. The sanctum is connected to the platform by a causeway and the gateway into the causeway is called the Darshani Ḍeorhi (from ''Darshana Dvara''). For those who wish to take a dip in the pool, the temple provides a half hexagonal shelter and holy steps to Har ki Pauri.<ref name="eos" />{{sfn|Pardeep Singh Arshi|1989|pp=97–116}} Bathing in the pool is believed by many Sikhs to have restorative powers, purifying one's ''[[karma]]''.<ref name="Thursby1992p14" /> Some carry bottles of the pool water home particularly for sick friends and relatives.<ref>{{cite book|author=Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh |title=Sikhism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k0s2dUUMHbkC&pg=PA101 |year=2004|publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-1-4381-1779-9|pages=100–101 }}</ref> The pool is maintained by volunteers who perform ''kar seva'' (community service) by draining and desilting it periodically.<ref name="Thursby1992p14">{{cite book|author=Gene R. Thursby|title=The Sikhs|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNsIoNN5ie8C&pg=PA14|year=1992|publisher=Brill|isbn=90-04-09554-3|pages=14–15}}</ref>
There is a section of the shrine known as the ''Har-Ki-Pauri'', located on the backside of the temple proper, where pilgrims and worshippers can take a sip of the water from the holy temple tank.<ref name=":25" /> The water used for the daily ritual cleaning of the temple premises is also sourced from this section.<ref name=":25" /> The water is mixed with milk to dilute the milk content, with the combined solution used to clean the temple's surfaces on a daily basis.<ref name=":25" />
{{multiple image | align = right | image1 = Darshani Deori 27 September 2018.jpg | width1 = 180 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Golden Temple, Amristar.jpg | width2 = 180 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = Left: Causeway to the sanctum with people, behind the pool is Ath Sath Tirath; Right: Entrance view }} The sanctum has two floors. The Sikh scripture ''[[Guru Granth Sahib]]'' is seated on the lower square floor for about 20 hours every day, and for 4 hours it is taken to its bedroom inside Akal Takht with elaborate ceremonies in a palki, for ''sukhasana'' and ''Prakash''.<ref name=" Cole2004p6"/> The floor with the seated scripture is raised a few steps above the entrance causeway level. The upper floor in the sanctum is a gallery and connected by stairs. The ground floor is lined with white marble, as is the path surrounding the sanctum. The sanctum's exterior has gilded copper plates. The doors are gold leaf-covered copper sheets with nature motifs such as birds and flowers. The ceiling of the upper floor is gilded, embossed and decorated with jewels. The sanctum dome is semi-spherical with a pinnacle ornament. The sides are embellished with arched copings and small solid domes, the corners adorning cupolas, all of which are covered with gold leaf-covered gilded copper.<ref name=eos/> There is a pavilion located on the second-floor called the ''Shish Mahal'' (mirror room).<ref name=":25" />
The floral designs on the marble panels of the walls around the sanctum are [[Arabesque]]. The arches include verses from the Sikh scripture in gold letters. The frescoes follow the Indian tradition and include animal, bird and nature motifs rather than being purely geometrical. The stair walls have murals of Sikh Gurus such as the falcon carrying Guru Gobind Singh riding a horse.<ref name=eos/>{{sfn|Pardeep Singh Arshi|1989|pp=68–73}} [[File:Golden Temple night view - IMG 6323-2.jpg|thumb|Side view of the causeway leading from the ''Darshani Deorhi'' (right) to the sanctum (left)]] The Darshani Deorhi is a two-storey structure that houses the temple management offices and treasury. At the exit of the path leading away from the sanctum is the ''Prasada'' facility, where volunteers serve a flour-based sweet offering called ''Karah prasad''. Typically, the pilgrims to the Golden Temple enter and make a clockwise circumambulation around the pool before entering the sanctum. There are four entrances to the gurdwara complex signifying the openness to all sides, but a single entrance to the sanctum of the temple through a causeway.<ref name=eos/><ref name=Fahlbusch>{{cite book|last=Fahlbusch|first=Erwin|author2=Geoffrey William Bromiley|title=The encyclopedia of Christianity|year=1999|publisher=Brill|location=Leiden|isbn=978-90-04-14596-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lZUBZlth2qgC|edition=Reprint|access-date=13 February 2016|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308155355/https://books.google.com/books?id=lZUBZlth2qgC|url-status=live}}</ref>{{page needed|date=February 2018}}
===Akal Takht and Teja Singh Samundri Hall=== {{main|Akal Takht}}
{{multiple image | align = left | image1 = Akal Takht illuminated, in Harmandir Sahib complex, Amritsar.jpg | width1 = 170 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Atta Mandi Deori, Amritsar 02.jpg | width2 = 170 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = Left: Akal Takht illuminated; Right: One of the entrance gates }}
In front of the sanctum and the causeway is the Akal Takht building. It is the chief ''Takht'', a centre of authority in Sikhism. Its name ''Akal Takht'' means "throne of the Timeless (God)". The institution was established by [[Guru Hargobind]] after the martyrdom of his father Guru Arjan, as a place to conduct ceremonial, spiritual and secular affairs, issuing binding writs on Sikh gurdwaras far from his own location. A building was later constructed over the Takht founded by Guru Hargobind, and this came to be known as Akal Bunga. The Akal Takht is also known as Takht Sri Akal Bunga. The Sikh tradition has five Takhts, all of which are major pilgrimage sites in Sikhism. These are in Anandpur, Patna, Nanded, Talwandi Sabo and Amritsar. The Akal Takht in the Golden Temple complex is the primary seat and chief.{{sfn|Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh |2011|p=80}}<ref>{{cite book|author1=Pashaura Singh|author2=Norman Gerald Barrier|author3=W. H. McLeod|title=Sikhism and History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xY_XAAAAMAAJ|year=2004|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-566708-0|pages=201–215}}</ref> It is also the headquarters of the main political party of the Indian state of Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (Supreme Akali Party).<ref name="Harmandir-Sahib"/> The Akal Takht issues edicts or writs (''hukam'') on matters related to Sikhism and the solidarity of the Sikh community.
The Teja Singh Samundri Hall is the office of the [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]] (Supreme Committee of Temple Management). It is located in a building near the Langar-kitchen and Assembly Hall. This office coordinates and oversees the operations of major Sikh temples.<ref name="Harmandir-Sahib"/>{{sfn|W. Owen Cole|2004|p=10}}
===Ramgarhia Bunga and Clock Tower=== {{main|Ramgarhia Bunga}}
{{multiple image | total_width = 380 | align = right | image1 = Goldentemple (82).JPG | image2 = 1860s photo of the Amritsar Golden Temple with the British style Gothic Clock Tower.jpg | footer = Left: [[Ramgarhia Bunga]] watchtowers to protect the Golden temple, Right: An 1860s photo of the Golden Temple during the colonial British era with the under-construction [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] [[clock tower]] (which was later demolished<ref name="Talbot2016p80"/>) on extreme right-side. }}
The [[Ramgarhia Bunga]] – the two high towers visible from the ''parikrama'' (circumambulation) walkway around the tank,{{sfn|Pashaura Singh| Louis E. Fenech|2014|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=8I0NAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA435 435]}} is named after a Sikh subgroup. The red sandstone minaret-style ''Bunga'' (buêgā) towers were built in the 18th century, a period of Afghan attacks and temple demolitions. It is named after the Sikh warrior and [[Ramgarhia]] [[misl]] chief [[Jassa Singh Ramgarhia]]. It was constructed as the temple [[watchtower]]s for sentinels to watch for any military raid approaching the temple and the surrounding area, help rapidly gather a defence to protect the Golden Temple complex. According to Fenech and McLeod, during the 18th century, Sikh misl chiefs and rich communities built over 70 such ''Bungas'' of different shapes and forms around the temple to watch the area, house soldiers and defend the temple.{{sfn|Louis E. Fenech|W. H. McLeod|2014|pp=74–75}} These served defensive purposes, provided accommodation for Sikh pilgrims and served as centres of learning in the 19th century.{{sfn|Louis E. Fenech|W. H. McLeod|2014|pp=74–75}} Most of the Bungas were demolished during the British colonial era. The Ramgarhia Bunga remains a symbol of the [[Ramgarhia]] Sikh community's identity, their historic sacrifices and contribution to defending the Golden Temple over the centuries.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Pashaura Singh|author2=Norman Gerald Barrier|title=Sikh Identity: Continuity and Change|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DIN0AAAAMAAJ|year=1999|publisher=Manohar|isbn=978-81-7304-236-2|page=264|access-date=2 November 2019|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308160011/https://books.google.com/books?id=DIN0AAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Clock Tower did not exist in the original version of the temple. In its location was a building, now called the "lost palace". The officials of the [[British India]] wanted to demolish the building after the Second Anglo-Sikh war and once they had annexed the Sikh Empire. The Sikhs opposed the demolition, but this opposition was ignored. In its place, the clock tower was added. The clock tower was designed by John Gordon in a [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] cathedral style with red bricks. The clock tower construction started in 1862 and was completed in 1874. The tower was demolished by the Sikh community about 70 years later. In its place, a new entrance was constructed with a design more harmonious with the Temple. This entrance on the north side has a clock, houses a museum on its upper floor, and it continues to be called ''ghanta ghar deori''.<ref name="Talbot2016p80">{{cite book|author=Ian Talbot| title=A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eNg_CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA80 |year=2016| publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-19694-8|pages=80–81 with Figure 8}}</ref><ref name="Narayanan2015p76">{{cite book|author=Shikha Jain|editor=Yamini Narayanan|title=Religion and Urbanism: Reconceptualising Sustainable Cities for South Asia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wQUBCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA76 |year=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-75542-5|pages=76–77}}</ref>
===Ber trees=== [[File:Dukh Bhanjani Ber tree and entrance gate near the Langar at the Golden Temple.jpg|thumb|left|The historic ''Dukh Bhanjani Ber'' tree inside the courtyard, next to Ath Sath Tirath.]]
The Golden Temple complex originally was open and had numerous trees around the pool. It is now a walled, two-storey courtyard with four entrances, that preserve three Ber trees ([[jujube]]). One of them is to the right of the main ''ghanta ghar deori'' entrance with the clock, and it is called the ''Ber Baba Buddha''. It is believed in the Sikh tradition to be the tree where Baba Buddha sat to supervise the construction of the pool and first temple.<ref name="Cole2004p6">{{harvnb|W. Owen Cole|2004|pages=6–9}}</ref>{{sfn|Pashaura Singh| Louis E. Fenech|2014|pp=435–436}}
A second tree is called ''Laachi Ber'', believed to the one under which Guru Arjan rested while the temple was being built.{{sfn|Pashaura Singh| Louis E. Fenech|2014|pp=435–436}} The third one is called ''Dukh Bhanjani Ber'', located on the other side of the sanctum, across the pool. It is believed in the Sikh tradition that this tree was the location where a Sikh was cured of his leprosy after taking a dip in the pool, giving the tree the epithet of "suffering remover".{{sfn|Louis E. Fenech|W. H. McLeod|2014|p=146}}<ref>{{cite book|author=H. S. Singha|title=The Encyclopedia of Sikhism (over 1000 Entries)|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=gqIbJz7vMn0C&pg=PA64|year=2000|publisher=Hemkunt Press|isbn=978-81-7010-301-1|page=64}}</ref> There is a small gurdwara underneath the tree.{{sfn|Pashaura Singh| Louis E. Fenech|2014|pp=435–436}} The ''Ath Sath Tirath'', or the spot equivalent to 68 pilgrimages, is in the shade underneath the ''Dukh Bhanjani Ber'' tree. Sikh devotees, states Charles Townsend, believe that bathing in the pool near this spot delivers the same fruits as a visit to 68 pilgrimage places in India.{{sfn|Pashaura Singh| Louis E. Fenech|2014|pp=435–436}}
===Sikh history museums=== The main ''ghanta ghari deori'' north entrance has a Sikh history museum on the first floor, according to the Sikh tradition. The display shows various paintings of gurus and martyrs, many narrating the persecution of Sikhs over their history, and historical items such as swords, ''kartar'', comb, ''chakkars''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Bruce M. Sullivan|title=Sacred Objects in Secular Spaces: Exhibiting Asian Religions in Museums|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nEOOCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT76|year=2015|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-4725-9083-1|pages=76–78}}</ref> A new underground museum near the clock tower, but outside the temple courtyard also shows Sikh history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/golden-temple-s-hi-tech-basement-showcasing-sikh-history-and-ethos-opens-for-pilgrims/story-hpcE6ZrYgrHnyQJ3gh9ZzL.html|title=Golden Temple's hi-tech basement showcases Sikh history, ethos opens for pilgrims|date=22 December 2016|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=23 December 2019|archive-date=23 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223153535/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/golden-temple-s-hi-tech-basement-showcasing-sikh-history-and-ethos-opens-for-pilgrims/story-hpcE6ZrYgrHnyQJ3gh9ZzL.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/golden-temple%E2%80%99s-story-comes-alive-at-its-plaza-340292 |author=G. S. Paul |date=22 December 2016 |title=Golden Temple's story comes alive at its plaza |work=Tribune India |access-date=23 December 2019 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308155930/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/amritsar/golden-temple%E2%80%99s-story-comes-alive-at-its-plaza-340292 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Louis E. Fenech, the display does not present the parallel traditions of Sikhism and is partly ahistorical such as a headless body continuing to fight, but a significant artwork and reflects the general trend in Sikhism of presenting their history to be one of persecution, martyrdoms and bravery in wars.<ref>{{cite book|author=Louis E. Fenech|title=Martyrdom in the Sikh Tradition: Playing the "game of Love"|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FI3XAAAAMAAJ |year=2000| publisher=Oxford University Press| isbn=978-0-19-564947-5| pages=44–45, 57–61, 114–115, 157 with notes}}</ref>
The main entrance to the gurdwara has many memorial plaques that commemorate past Sikh historical events, saints and martyrs, contributions of Ranjit Singh, as well as commemorative inscriptions of all the Sikh soldiers who died fighting in the two World Wars and the various Indo-Pakistan wars.<ref>{{cite book|author=K Singh|title=The Sikh Review, Volume 32, Issues 361–372|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D4bXAAAAMAAJ|year=1984|publisher=Sikh Cultural Centre|page=114}}</ref>
=== Amrit Sarovar === The Amrit Sarovar is the name of the main [[Temple tank|temple-tank]] (''sarovar'') of the complex.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Amrit Sarovar |url=https://www.goldentempleamritsar.org/famous-temples-in-india/amritsar/five-sacred-sarovars/amrit-sarovar.php |access-date=12 November 2025 |website=Golden Temple Amritsar}}</ref> It is a large, rectangular water-tank that measures approximately 150 meters by 150 meters with the principal shrine edifice in the middle of it, with it being surrounded on its sides by the marble walkway of the complex (''[[Parikrama|parikarma]]'').<ref name=":2" /> Its construction was first started via digging by [[Guru Amar Das]] in November 1573, with the main bulk of the work being attributed to the successor Guru Ram Das, and a later expansion by Guru Arjan.<ref name=":2" /> The [[Udasi|Udasis]] of Brahm Buta Akhara also were responsible for digging a ''hansli'' (water channel) to feed water into the Amrit Sarovar of the Darbar Sahib complex in 1783.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=15 January 2021 |title=Dens of belief: Akharas of Amritsar |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/dens-of-belief-198715/ |access-date=8 October 2025 |work=The Tribune}}</ref> Later, the hansli was made redundant through the construction of a Amritsar-Lahore branch and Kasur-Sabraon branch.<ref name=":12">{{Cite book |last=Kaur |first=Daljeet |title=Sri Harimandar Sahib: The Body Visible of the Invisible Supreme |last2=Jain |first2=P. C. |last3=Singh |first3=Rajbir |publisher=Prakash Books |year=2006 |isbn=9788172340568 |pages=38}}</ref> Since 1866, the Amrit Sarovar of the Golden Temple complex has been fed water from the Jethuwal distributory of the Upper Bari Doab of the region between the Beas and Ravi, via a connection between the Kaulsar Sarovar and Amrit Sarovar.<ref name=":12" /> The canal was originally ''kachcha'' but later was lined and covered.<ref name=":12" /> Since the 1900s, the sarovar has been regularly, periodically cleaned in the form of communal [[Kar seva|Kar Seva]] projects, with the first modern one being held on 17 June 1923.<ref name=":2" /> Aside from the Amrit Sarovar, other prominent sarovars of the city of Amritsar are the Santokhsar Sarovar, Ramsar Sarovar, Kaulsar Sarovar, and Bibeksar Sarovar.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Five Sarovars of Amritsar |url=https://www.goldentempleamritsar.org/famous-temples-in-india/amritsar/five-sacred-sarovars/ |access-date=12 November 2025 |website=Golden Temple Amritsar}}</ref>
==Daily ceremonies== {{multiple image | align = right | image1 = 2017 sukhasan ritual palki palanquin for Guru Granth Sahib every night, Golden temple Amritsar.jpg | width1 = 140 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Sikh pilgrim at the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar, India.jpg | width2 = 180 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = Left: A palanquin being prepared for the daily ''sukhasan'' ritual to carry the scripture to a bedroom; Right: A Sikh pilgrim. Some Sikhs take a dip in the pool. }}
There are several rites performed every day in the Golden Temple as per the historic Sikh tradition. These rites treat the scripture as a living person, a Guru out of respect. They include:{{sfn|Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh|2011|pp=81–82}}<ref name="Myrvold2016p125">{{cite book|author=Kristina Myrvold|title=The Death of Sacred Texts: Ritual Disposal and Renovation of Texts in World Religions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Yu1CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA125 |year=2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-03640-1|pages=125–144}}</ref>
* Closing rite called ''sukhasan'' (''sukh'' means "comfort or rest", ''asan'' means "position"). At night, after a series of devotional [[kirtan]]s and three part [[ardās]], the ''Guru Granth Sahib'' is closed, carried on the head, placed into and then carried in a flower decorated, pillow-bed palki (palanquin), with chanting. Its bedroom is in the Akal Takht, on the first floor. Once it arrives there, the scripture is tucked into a bed.{{sfn|Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh |2011|pp=81–82}}<ref name="Myrvold2016p125"/> * Opening rite called ''prakash'' which means "light". At about dawn every day, the ''Guru Granth Sahib'' is taken out its bedroom, carried on the head, placed and carried in a flower-decorated palki with chanting and [[bugle]] sounding across the causeway. It is brought to the sanctum. Then after ritual singing of a series of Var Asa kirtans and ''ardas'', a random page is opened. This is the ''mukhwak'' of the day, it is read out loud, and then written out for the pilgrims to read over that day.{{sfn|Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh |2011|pp=81–82}}<ref name="Myrvold2016p125"/>
===Guru Ram Das Langar=== [[File:The famous 'langar'- free meals for one and all (38938496121).jpg|thumb|left|[[Langar (Sikhism)|Langar]] hall from inside]] Harmandir Sahib complex has a [[Langar (Sikhism)|langar]], a community-run free kitchen and dining hall. It is attached to the east side of the courtyard near the ''Dukh Bhanjani Ber'', outside of the entrance. Food is served here to all visitors who want it, regardless of faith, gender or economic background. Vegetarian food is served and all people eat together as equals. Everyone sits on the floor in rows, which is called ''sangat''. The meal is served by volunteers as part of their ''kar seva'' ethos.{{sfn|Pashaura Singh| Louis E. Fenech|2014|pp=435–436}} Over 100,000 meals are served at the langar every day.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Chaudhary |first1=Srishti |last2=Reichel |first2=Raphael |date=13 June 2023 |title=Amritsar: The Indian city where no one goes hungry |url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230612-amritsar-the-indian-city-where-no-one-goes-hungry |work=BBC |access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref>[[File:A group of volunteers helping with daily food preparation for Langar at the Golden Temple.jpg|thumb|Volunteers helping prepare the food at the langar]]
== Art == {{Main|Sikh art}}
The art of the Golden Temple has rarely been analysed or studied in a serious manner.<ref name=":25" /> Within the Shish Mahal on the second-story of the building, there are mirror-work art designs which consist of small pieces of mirror which are inlaid into the walls and ceilings, highlighted with decorations of floral designs.<ref name=":25" /> The ceilings, walls and arches of the structure are embellished by intricate mural artwork.<ref name=":25" /> The ''[[pietra dura]]'' (inlaid stone design) artwork of the shrine, which features avian and other animalistic designs using semi-precious stones, was mostly inspired by the Mughal tradition.<ref name=":25" /> The temple premises is also decorated with embossed copper, ''gach'', ''tukri'', ''jaratkari'', and ivory inlay artwork.<ref name=":25" /> The external portions of the upper story's walls of the temple have been affixed with beaten copper plates that feature raised designs depicting usually florals and abstracts but there are some depictions of human figures as well.<ref name=":25" /> An example of embossed metal designs depicting humans are two raised copper panels located on the front-side of the temple prior, the first which depicts [[Guru Nanak]] surrounded by his companions, [[Bhai Mardana]] and [[Bhai Bala]], on each side.<ref name=":25" /> The second embossed panel features an equestrian portrayal of [[Guru Gobind Singh]].<ref name=":25" />
''Gach'' can be described as a kind of stone or gypsum.<ref name=":25" /> Gach was transformed into a paste and used on the walls, similar in nature to lime-plaster.<ref name=":25" /> Once applied to the wall, it was decorated into shape with steel cutters and other tools.<ref name=":25" /> Sometimes the gach had coloured glass pieces placed on it, which is known as ''tukri''.<ref name=":25" /> The Shish Mahal features a lot of examples of tukri work.<ref name=":25" /> On the other hand, ''jaratkari'' was an art form and method which involved placing inlaid and cut stones of varying colours and types into marble.<ref name=":25" /> Surviving exemplars of jaratkari art from the temple can be found on the bottom-section of the exterior walls which are encased with marble panels featuring jaratkari artwork.<ref name=":25" /> The jaratkari marble panels in this lower exterior section is classified as pietra dura and semi-precious stones, like lapis lazuli and onyx, were utilised.<ref name=":25" /> While the Mughals also decorated their edifices using jaratkari and pietra dura art, what sets apart the Sikh form of the art technique from the Mughal one is that the Sikh jaratkari art form also depicts human and animal figuratives with it, something that is not found in Mughal jaratkari art.<ref name=":25" />
Inlaid ivory work can be witnessed on the doors of the Darshani Deori structure of the complex.<ref name=":25" /> The structure of the Darshani Deori was made out of ''[[Dalbergia sissoo|shisham]]'' wood, the front of the edifice is overlaid with silverwork, including ornamated silver panels.<ref name=":25" /> The back of the structure is decorated with panels consisting of floral and geometric designs but also animal figuratives, such as deer, tigers, lions, and birds.<ref name=":25" /> Portions of the inlaid ivory had been coloured red or green, an aspect of the artwork that was praised by H.H. Cole for its harmoniousness.<ref name=":25" />
The oldest extant [[mural]]s in the complex date back to the 1830s.<ref name=":1" /> Most of the vast array of murals that once coated the walls of the complex were destroyed in subsequent renovation works conducted under the guise of ''[[kar seva]]'', such as by being covered by marble slabs affixed to the walls.<ref name=":1" /> A prominent artist who painted many of the murals in the complex was [[Gian Singh Naqqash]].<ref name=":1" /> The mural artwork of the temple consists primarily of floral designs with scattered examples of animal designs and themes.<ref name=":25" /> There are over 300 different design patterns dispersed all over the walls of the edifice.<ref name=":25" /> These wall paintings were created by ''Naqqashi'' artists, who had developed their own lingo to differentiate their various themes and designs.<ref name=":25" /> The most prominent design category was referred to as ''Dehin,'' which is described as "a medium of expression of the imaginative study of the artist's own creation of idealised forms".<ref name=":25" /> The base of dehin is known as ''Gharwanjh''.<ref name=":25" /> Gharwanjh is a "decorative device involving knotted grapples between animals".<ref name=":25" /> The gharwanjh designs of the Golden Temple features cobras, lions, and elephants holding one another or carrying floral vases which feature fruit and fairies as decoration.<ref name=":25" /> The decorative border of the dehin is known as ''Patta'', usually utilising creepers for its design.<ref name=":25" /> Some feature designs incorporating aquatic creatures.<ref name=":25" /> [[File:Fresco depicting Guru Gobind Singh on horseback with his retinue leaving Anandpur Fort, Kangra School, from within the Golden Temple shrine, Amritsar, ca.1820's–1830's.jpg|thumb|Fresco depicting Guru Gobind Singh on horseback with his retinue leaving Anandpur Fort, Kangra School, from within the Golden Temple shrine, Amritsar, ca.1820's–1830's]] The only mural depicting human figures within the temple proper is located on the wall behind the northern narrow staircase leading to the top of the shrine. It depicts Guru Gobind Singh on horseback alongside his retinue leaving the fort of Anandpur - a mural adaptation of what was originally a Kangra miniature painting.<ref name=":25" /> When H.H. Cole wrote about the murals of the Golden Temple, he witnessed many murals depicting [[Hindu mythology|Indic mythological scenes]] but these murals have since been lost.<ref name=":25" />
While W. Wakefield had recorded that he observed murals depicting erotic scenes painted on the Golden Temple's walls in a work published in 1875, Kanwarjit Singh Kang finds this to be a spurious account which is likely false because there is no corroborative accounts to support this.<ref name=":25" />
The various artists and craftsmen who worked on creating the mural artwork and other accessory art of the temple are mostly unknown and it is nearly impossible to link any particular art piece with a specific name, aside from a very few.<ref name=":25" /> A traditional Sikh artist who had worked at the Golden Temple, named Hari Singh, had prepared a list of all the names of the artists, painters (''naqqashis''), and craftsmen he could recount that had also worked at some point in time at the Golden Temple, the names are as follows: Kishan Singh, Bishan Singh, Kapur Singh, Kehar Singh, ''[[Mahant]]'' Ishar Singh, Sardul Singh, Jawahar Singh, Mehtab Singh, ''[[Mistri]]'' Jaimal Singh, Harnam Singh, Ishar Singh (not to be confused with Mahant Ishar Singh), Gian Singh, Lal Singh Tarn Taran, Mangal Singh, Mistri Narain Singh, Mistri Jit Singh, Atma Singh, Darja Mal, and Vir Singh.<ref name=":25" /> [[File:Photograph of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, by Felice Beato, circa October 1859.jpg|thumb|Photograph of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, by Felice Beato, circa October 1859. Many frescoes can be seen adorning the exterior wall panels of the central edifice. These murals are no longer extant.]] Most of the artwork lost over the years, throughout the various changes and renovations to the temple, were murals.<ref name=":25" /> Murals started being lost in the temple around the last years of the 19th century, when devotees were allowed to start donating inlaid marble panels to affix to the walls of the shrine.<ref name=":25" /> The walls that were covered by these marble panels usually were painted with murals and thus the murals were either hidden under the marble panels or destroyed.<ref name=":25" /> The Golden Temple used to have many traditional buildings, known as ''bungas'', surrounding it.<ref name=":25" /> These bungas were a great source and collection of murals and thus their artwork was lost when the vast majority of the bungas were demolished over the years under the guise of modernising the religious site and expanding its ''[[parikrama]]''.<ref name=":25" /> When the Darshani Deori was covered with marble panels, many wall paintings that had been executed by Mahant Ishar Singh were covered up and lost due to them.<ref name=":25" />
==Influence on contemporary era Sikhism== ===Singh Sabha movement=== {{Main|Singh Sabha Movement}}
The [[Singh Sabha movement]] was a late-19th century movement within the Sikh community to rejuvenate and reform Sikhism at a time when Christian, Hindu and Muslim proselytisers were actively campaigning to convert Sikhs to their religion.<ref name=barrierssm>{{cite book |last1=Barrier |first1=N. Gerald |last2=Singh |first2=Nazer |editor1-last=Singh |editor1-first=Harbans |title=Singh Sabha Movement |orig-year=1998 |publisher=Punjab University|year=2002 |location=Patiala, Punjab |isbn=978-8173803499 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/TheEncyclopediaOfSikhism-VolumeIvS-z/page/n222 205]–212 |edition=4th |url=https://archive.org/details/TheEncyclopediaOfSikhism-VolumeIvS-z |access-date=3 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Singh-Sabha |title=Singh Sabha (Sikhism) |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |year=2010 |access-date=10 November 2019 |archive-date=26 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226073623/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Singh-Sabha |url-status=live }}</ref> The movement was triggered by the conversion of Ranjit Singh's son Duleep Singh and other well-known people to Christianity. Started in 1870s, the Singh Sabha movement's aims were to propagate the true Sikh religion, restore and reform Sikhism to bring back into the Sikh fold the apostates who had left Sikhism.<ref name=barrierssm/>{{sfn|Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|2013|pp=85–86}}{{sfn|Louis E. Fenech|W. H. McLeod|2014|pp=273–274}} There were three main groups with different viewpoints and approaches, of which the Tat Khalsa group had become dominant by the early 1880s.{{sfn|Pashaura Singh|Louis E. Fenech|2014|pp=28–29, 73–76}}<ref name="Oberoi1994">{{cite book|author=Harjot Oberoi|title=The Construction of Religious Boundaries: Culture, Identity, and Diversity in the Sikh Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dKl84EYFkTsC&pg=PA382|date=1994|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-61593-6|pages=382–383}}</ref> Before 1905, the Golden Temple had Brahmin priests, idols and images for at least a century, attracting pious Sikhs and Hindus.<ref name="Jones1976p211">{{cite book|author=Kenneth W. Jones|title=Arya Dharm: Hindu Consciousness in 19th-century Punjab|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=RpvXCtNzrz8C&pg=PA211| year=1976|publisher= University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-02920-0|pages=211–212}}, Quote: "Brahmin priests and their idols had been associated with the Golden Temple for at least a century and had over these years received the patronage of pious Hindus and Sikhs. In the 1890s these practices came under increasing attack by reformist Sikhs."</ref> In 1890s, these idols and practices came under attack from reformist Sikhs.<ref name="Jones1976p211"/> In 1905, with the campaign of the Tat Khalsa, these idols and images were removed from the Golden Temple.<ref>{{cite book |author=W. H. McLeod|title=The A to Z of Sikhism |chapter=Idol Worship |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vgixwfeCyDAC&pg=PA97 |year=2009|publisher= Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-6344-6|page=97}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Harjot Oberoi |title=The Construction of Religious Boundaries: Culture, Identity, and Diversity in the Sikh Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dKl84EYFkTsC&pg=PA323 |year=1994| publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-61593-6|pages=320–327}}</ref> The Singh Sabha movement brought the Khalsa back to the fore of gurdwara administration{{sfn|Pashaura Singh| Louis E. Fenech|2014|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=CzYeAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT542 542–543]}} over the ''mahants'' (priests) class,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Deol |first1=Harnik |title=Religion and Nationalism in India: The Case of the Punjab |year=2003 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1134635351 |pages=75–78 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tkHi5j81VHEC |access-date=3 December 2019 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308155821/https://books.google.com/books?id=tkHi5j81VHEC |url-status=live }}</ref> who had taken over control of the main gurdwaras and other institutions vacated by the [[Khalsa]] in their fight for survival against the [[Mughals]] during the 18th century<ref name=mandair>{{cite book |last1=Mandair |first1=Arvind-Pal Singh |title=Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed |date=2013 |publisher=A&C Black |location=London |isbn=978-1441102317 |page=83 |edition=illustrated |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vdhLAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA83 |access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref> and had been most prominent during the 19th century.<ref name=mandair/>
===Jallianwala Bagh massacre=== {{Main|Jallianwala Bagh massacre}}
As per tradition, the Sikhs gathered in the Golden Temple to celebrate the festival of [[Baisakhi]] in 1919. After their visit, many walked over to the [[Jallianwala Bagh]] next to it to listen to speakers protesting the [[Rowlatt Act]] and other policies implemented by the British colonial government. A large crowd had gathered, when Colonel [[Reginald Dyer|Reginald Edward Harry Dyer]] ordered a detachment of ninety soldiers (drawn from the [[9th Gorkha Rifles]] and the [[59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force)|59th Scinde Rifles]]) under his command to surround the Jallianwala Bagh, and then open fire into the crowd. 379 were killed and thousands were wounded in the massacre.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Kristen Haar|author2=Sewa Singh Kalsi|title=Sikhism| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YOI1nB_zTyAC&pg=PA112 |year=2009| publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn =978-1-4381-0647-2|page= 112}}</ref> The [[Jallianwala Bagh massacre|massacre]] strengthened the opposition to colonial rule throughout India, particularly that from Sikhs. It triggered massive non-violent protests. The protests pressured the British colonial government to transfer the control over the management and treasury of the Golden Temple to an elected organisation called [[Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee]] (SGPC). The SGPC continues to manage the Golden Temple.{{sfn|Pashaura Singh| Louis E. Fenech|2014|pp=433–434}}
===Punjabi Suba movement=== {{Main|Punjabi Suba movement}}
The [[Punjabi Suba movement]] was a long-drawn political agitation, launched by the Sikhs, demanding the creation of a Punjabi Suba, or [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]-speaking state, in the post-independence state of [[East Punjab]].{{sfn|Doad|1997|p=391}} It was first presented as a policy position in April 1948 by the [[Shiromani Akali Dal]],{{sfn|Bal|1985|p=419}} after the States Reorganisation Commission set up after independence was not effective in the north of the country during its work to delineate states on a linguistic basis.{{sfn|Doad|1997|p=392}} The Golden Temple complex was the main centre of operations of the movement,{{sfn|Doad|1997|p=397}} and important events during the movement that occurred at the gurdwara included the [[Punjabi Suba movement#1955 Golden Temple raid|1955 raid]] by the government to quash the movement, and the subsequent [[Punjabi Suba movement#Amritsar Convention|Amritsar Convention]] in 1955 to convey Sikh sentiments to the central government.{{sfn|Bal|1985|p=426}} The complex was also the site of speeches, demonstrations, and mass arrests,{{sfn|Doad|1997|p=397}} and where leaders of the movement domiciled in huts during [[hunger strike]]s.{{sfn|Doad|1997|p=398}} The borders of the modern [[Punjab, India|state of Punjab]], along with the official status of the state's native language of [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] in the [[Gurmukhi]] script, are the result of the movement, which culminated in the setting of the current borders in 1966.{{sfn|Doad|1997|p=404}}
===Operation Blue Star=== [[File:Golden temple aerial shot in Amritsar.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the Galliara park around the complex]] {{main|Operation Blue Star}}
The Golden Temple and Akal Takht were occupied by various militant groups in the early 1980s. These included the [[Dharam Yudh Morcha]] led by Sikh fundamentalist [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]], the Babbar Khalsa, the AISSF and the National Council of Khalistan.<ref name="Chima2008p85"/> In December 1983, the Sikh political party [[Akali Dal]]'s President [[Harchand Singh Longowal]] had invited [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] to take up residence in Golden Temple Complex.<ref>Khushwant Singh, A History of the Sikhs, Volume II: 1839–2004, New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2004, p. 337.</ref> The Bhindranwale-led group under the military leadership of General [[Shabeg Singh]] had begun to build bunkers and observations posts in and around the Golden Temple.<ref name="ToI_Shabeg">{{cite news |last1=Tully |first1=Mark |title=Wounds heal but another time bomb ticks away |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/Wounds-heal-but-another-time-bomb-ticks-away/articleshow/35871055.cms |access-date=15 June 2018 |work=Gunfire Over the Golden Temple |publisher=The Times of India |date=3 June 2014 |archive-date=11 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011002526/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/Wounds-heal-but-another-time-bomb-ticks-away/articleshow/35871055.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> They organised the armed militants present at the [[Harmandir Sahib]] in Amritsar in June 1984. The Golden Temple became a place for weapons training for the militants.<ref name="Chima2008p85"/> Shabeg Singh's military expertise is credited with the creation of effective defences of the Gurdwara Complex that made the possibility of a commando operation on foot impossible. Supporters of this militant movement circulated maps showing parts of northwest India, north Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan as historic and future boundaries of the Khalsa Sikhs, with varying claims in different maps.<ref name="Axel2001p96">{{cite book|author=Brian Keith Axel|title=The Nation's Tortured Body: Violence, Representation, and the Formation of a Sikh "Diaspora"|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gj8yJsixw8QC|year=2001|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=0-8223-2615-9|pages=96–107|access-date=2 May 2018|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308155828/https://books.google.com/books?id=Gj8yJsixw8QC|url-status=live}}</ref>
In June 1984, Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]] ordered the Indian Army to begin [[Operation Blue Star]] against the militants.<ref name="Chima2008p85">{{cite book|author=Jugdep S Chima|title=The Sikh Separatist Insurgency in India: Political Leadership and Ethnonationalist Movements |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qJaHAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA85 |date= 2008|publisher=Sage Publications|isbn=978-81-321-0538-1|pages=85–95}}</ref> The operation caused severe damage and destroyed the Akal Takht. Numerous soldiers, militants and civilians died in the crossfire, with official estimates of death of 492 civilians and 83 Indian army men.<ref>{{Cite news|date=6 June 2018|title=What happened during 1984 Operation Blue Star?|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/1984-operation-blue-star-amritsar-1251681-2018-06-06|access-date=13 December 2020|work=India Today|language=en|archive-date=11 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111055415/https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/1984-operation-blue-star-amritsar-1251681-2018-06-06|url-status=live}}</ref> Within days of the Operation Bluestar, some 2,000 Sikh soldiers in India mutinied and attempted to reach Amritsar to liberate the Golden Temple.<ref name="Chima2008p85"/> Within six months, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi's Sikh bodyguards [[Assassination of Indira Gandhi|assassinated her]].
In 1986, Indira Gandhi's son and the next Prime Minister of India [[Rajiv Gandhi]] ordered repairs to the Akal Takht Sahib. These repairs were removed and Sikhs rebuilt the Akal Takht Sahib in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/know-facts-about-harmandir-sahib-the-golden-temple-28035.html?page=3|date=22 June 2014|work=India TV|title=Know facts about Harmandir Sahib, The Golden Temple|access-date=2 May 2018|archive-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801221038/https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/know-facts-about-harmandir-sahib-the-golden-temple-28035.html?page=3|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Gallery== <gallery> File:Complete view of Golden Temple complex 09.jpg|Day time complete view of Golden Temple complex File:Complete view of Golden Temple complex 08.jpg|Complete view of Golden Temple complex at night File:Complete view of Golden Temple complex 06.jpg|Panoramic view of Golden Temple complex File:Ramgarhia Bunga , Golden Temple , Amritsar.jpg|Ramgarhia Bunga, Golden Temple (night view) File:Langar , participatory community kitchen , Golden Temple ,Amritsar 03.jpg|Langar (participatory kitchen), Golden Temple File:Langar , participatory community kitchen , Golden Temple ,Amritsar 02.jpg|Gender neutral langar, Golden Temple File:Langar , participatory community kitchen , Golden Temple ,Amritsar 01.jpg|Serving of langar, Golden Temple File:Miri-Piri , the twin Nishan Sahib flags ,Golden Temple ,Amritsar.jpg|Miri-Piri, the twin Nishan Sahib flags, Golden Temple File:A Sikh at Golden Temple.jpg|A baptised Sikh devotee at Golden Temple after taking holy bath in Sarovar (sacred lake) </gallery>
==See also== {{Portal|Punjab}} * [[Golden Temple, Sripuram|Golden Temple, Vellore]] * [[Amritsar Jamnagar Expressway]] * [[Amritsar Ring Road]] * [[Delhi Amritsar Katra Expressway]] * [[Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib]] * [[Hazur Sahib Nanded]] * [[List of Gurudwaras]] * [[Takht Sri Patna Sahib]] ==Notes== {{noteslist}}
==References== === Citations === {{Reflist|30em}} {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
=== General bibliography === {{Refbegin|30em}} * {{cite book|author=Pardeep Singh Arshi|title=The Golden Temple: history, art, and architecture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rcmfAAAAMAAJ|year=1989|publisher=Harman|isbn=978-81-85151-25-0}} * {{cite journal|last=Bal |first=Sarjit Singh |title=Punjab After Independence (1947–1956) |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |year=1985 |volume=46 |pages=416–430 |jstor= 44141382}} * {{cite book|author=W. Owen Cole|title=Understanding Sikhism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KVhwDwAAQBAJ&q=tirath|year=2004|publisher=Dunedin Academic Press|isbn=978-1-906716-91-2|access-date=2 September 2020|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308160002/https://books.google.com/books?id=KVhwDwAAQBAJ&q=tirath#v=snippet&q=tirath&f=false|url-status=live}} * {{cite book |last=Doad |first=Karnail Singh |editor1-last=Siṅgh |editor1-first=Harbans |title=Encyclopaedia of Sikhism |chapter=Punjabi Sūbā Movement |date=1997 |publisher=Punjab University, Patiala |publication-date=2011 |location=Patiala, Punjab, India |isbn=9788173803499 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/TheEncyclopediaOfSikhism-VolumeIiiM-r/page/n407 |pages=391–404 |edition=3rd |url=https://archive.org/details/TheEncyclopediaOfSikhism-VolumeIiiM-r |access-date=24 February 2020 }} * {{cite book|author1=Louis E. Fenech|author2=W. H. McLeod|title=Historical Dictionary of Sikhism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ|year=2014|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-1-4422-3601-1|access-date=2 May 2018|archive-date=17 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817161136/https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}} * {{cite book|author=W. H. McLeod|title=Textual Sources for the Study of Sikhism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7xIT7OMSJ44C|year=1990|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-56085-4|access-date=2 May 2018|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308155944/https://books.google.com/books?id=7xIT7OMSJ44C|url-status=live}} * {{cite book|author= Eleanor Nesbitt|title= Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=XebnCwAAQBAJ|year= 2016|publisher= Oxford University Press|isbn= 978-0-19-874557-0|access-date= 2 May 2018|archive-date= 11 August 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230811005754/https://books.google.com/books?id=XebnCwAAQBAJ|url-status= live}} * {{cite book|author1=Trudy Ring|author2=Noelle Watson|author3=Paul Schellinger|title=Asia and Oceania: International Dictionary of Historic Places|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=voerPYsAB5wC|year=2012|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-63979-1}} * {{cite book|author1=Christopher Shackle|author2=Arvind Mandair|title=Teachings of the Sikh Gurus: Selections from the Sikh Scriptures|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VvoJV8mw0LwC|year=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-45101-0|access-date=2 May 2018|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308155950/https://books.google.com/books?id=VvoJV8mw0LwC|url-status=live}} * {{cite book|author1=Pashaura Singh|author2=Louis E. Fenech|title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7YwNAwAAQBAJ|year=2014|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-100411-7|access-date=2 May 2018|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308160518/https://books.google.com/books?id=7YwNAwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}} * {{cite book|author=Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|title=Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vdhLAQAAQBAJ|year=2013|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic|isbn=978-1-4411-0231-7|access-date=2 May 2018|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308160619/https://books.google.com/books?id=vdhLAQAAQBAJ|url-status=live}} * {{cite book|author=Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh|title=Sikhism: An Introduction|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h40AAwAAQBAJ|year=2011|publisher=I. B. Tauris|isbn=978-0-85771-962-1}} * {{cite book|author=Henry Walker|editor=Kerry Brown|title=Sikh Art and Literature|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ddgO-DldmSwC|year=2002|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-63136-0|access-date=2 May 2018|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308170554/https://books.google.com/books?id=ddgO-DldmSwC|url-status=live}} * {{cite book |last1=Syan |first1=Hardip S. |editor1-last=Singh |editor1-first=Pashaura |editor2-last=Fenech |editor2-first=Louis E. |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |date=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-969930-8 |pages=170–179 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8I0NAwAAQBAJ |chapter=Sectarian Works |access-date=2 November 2019 |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811005306/https://books.google.com/books?id=8I0NAwAAQBAJ |url-status=live }} {{Refend}}
==External links== {{commons|Harmandir Sahib}} {{wikiquote}} * {{Official website}}
{{Sikhism}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1604 establishments in India]] [[Category:Architecture in India]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Amritsar]] [[Category:Gurdwaras in Punjab, India]] [[Category:Rebuilt buildings and structures in India]] [[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1604]] [[Category:Religious buildings and structures with domes]] [[Category:Religious tourism in India]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Amritsar]] [[Category:17th-century gurdwaras]] [[Category:World Heritage Tentative List for India]]