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Golden Temple is one of the most sacred place for the Sikhs. It is a marvelous picture of Sikh Heritage. Sikh devotees from all over the world come here to have peace of mind. Many take a bath in the holy tank, to purify their bodies. They pay obeisance at Sri Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple), in their Ardas (Prayer). The temple has four doors, that signifies that people from all caste,creed and religion can visit this holy place. It is just a heaven on earth.
Golden Temple is also called Harimandir Sahib. This name comes from Hari means God and mandir means temple. It is called Golden Temple because of the Gold coating on it. This place is also called as Darbar Sahib. Darbar Sahib refers to the main hall within a Sikh Gurudwara. This hall is where the current and perpetual Guru of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib ji (holy book) is placed on a takht or throne in a prominent central position in the hall. Inner Sanctum of Harimandir Sahib is called Darbar Sahib. Golden Temple is situated in the old city of Amritsar in Punjab, India. Amritsar is one of the main city of Punjab. This is a historic place where a lot of tourist from many parts of the world come to see Golden Temple.
Fourth Nanak - Guru Ram Das ji executed the plan to excavate the holy tank under the supervision of Baba Budha ji.
Guru Arjan Dev ji (Fifth Nanak), conceived the idea of creating a central place of worship for the Sikhs and he himself designed the architecture of Sri Harimandir Sahib.
Guru Arjan Dev ji got its foundation laid by a muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir ji of Lahore in 1588.
The building work completed in 1604.
Guru Sahib ji installed newly created Guru Granth Sahib ji in Sri Harimandir Sahib and appointed Baba Budha ji as its first Granthi i.e. the reader of Guru Granth Sahib ji.
Guru Granth Sahib ji(holy book) are placed in the Darbar Sahib.
There is a huge rectangular path around the holy tank called Parikarma.
When you follow the pathway you will find Gurudwara of Baba Deep Singh ji, situated on one side.
Please refer to Sikh-Martyrs link and see Baba Deep Singh ji's martyrdom history.
There is also Dukh Bhanjani Ber, a holy tree, below which the Sangat (devotees) take bath in the Sarovar(holy tank).
Then there is a place where Baba Bhudha ji used to sit.
There is also Akal Takht situated inside the Golden Temple Complex.
Please refer to the Sikh-Takht link to know about it.
Whole day Ragis(religious singer) sing kirtan(holy hymns) from Guru Granth Sahib ji.
The atmosphere is totally pure and spiritual, that it soothes to the soul.
In the complex one place is named as Langar Hall (free kitchen).
Here Sangats are served, free food. People sit with each other on the floor in queue's and Langar(food) is served to all.
Langar has a great significance in world, as people from all caste, creed and religion sit together and have their food.
Golden Temple is one of the unique place on earth. If you visit the place with full devotion, you will definitely take away the peace of mind. Lot of prayers of lot of people around the globe had been fulfilled here. Visit the place, forget about the outside world, do meditation with full faith and devotion to God, and see the difference. Truthful devotees can get alot from here. Golden Temple is the place of peace, place of truth, place of worship, place of faith and definitely place of God.