Golden Temple Photo Gallery by Karthik Raja at pbase.com

Golden Temple | Durgiana Temple | Jallianwala Bagh

Golden Temple

Legend has it that the site of the temple, now surrounded by a small lake, was once a forest.
It was here that Valmiki, a great Indian poet, wrote the Ramayana, it is here that Sita was
banished to, and it is here that Luv and kush her sons heard the stories of their forefathers.
It is also believed that Buddha had visited this sacred site.

However, the temple is not known for these myths but as the holiest place of worship for the
Sikhs. In a way, it is appropriate as Sikhism promotes secularism, and this is evident in
their non-discrimination of visitors to their holy shrine. The only condition, no activty
considered to be vice is entertained in the complex and your hair must be covered at all times.

The temple was built under the leadership of the fifth Sikh Guru (Guru Arjan, 1581-1606) and
was completed in 1601. The temple was later attacked by the Mughals and had to be substantially
rebuilt in the 1760s. The temple is surrounded by a pool of water, called the Sarovar or the
Pool of Nectar. Around the pool is a pathway that runs all around it. The complex is filled
with stories of conquests, gurus and worshippers and one can easily spend hours walking around
reading the many information boards. The temple also provides free food to everyone in the
kitchen called the Langar.

The Harmandir Sahib or the main temple houses the Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs,
since 1604, three years after its completion. Every night the book is taken to the Akal Takht
and brought back in the morning. The Akal Takht is the seat of the governing body of the Sikhs
and also houses a museum.

The temple has also played a crucial role in Indian politics when in 1984, Sikh militants had
taken over the shrine, led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The temple was sealed from the inside
and was being used as a militant base. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, ordered
Operation Blue Star, to recapture the Temple. Though the operation was succesful, the methods
used, the deaths of innocent Sikhs, and the general enmity between the Sikhs and the rest of
India reached a great high, and Indira gandhi paid by the price when she was gunned down by
her own Sikh bodyguards. The state of Punjab was in political turmoil till the turn of the
decade. It was an unfortunate scar on this sacred of shrines and anyone visiting today can
never fathom how the serenity that surrounds it today could have once been the center of war.

The temple is a must see, plan to spend a few hours there, and plan to eat atleast one meal.
The food is clean and well prepared. Photography is allowed everywhere except inside the
shrine and the shining, reflecting temple is a sight to remember.

History 1 - Sri Harmandir, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Guarding the Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	The calm of the blues, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab
Reflections in the pool, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Pool of nectar, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Entering the Sanctum Sanctorum, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab
Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Protectors of the Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Golden clock, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Golden windows, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab
Golden bay window, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	The temple complex, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	History 2 - Akal Takht, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Akal Takht - seat of the governing body of the Sikhs, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab
Palanquin - bears the Adi Granth in the mornings and night, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Ornate window of the Akal Takht, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Religious singers, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Singing with passion, Amritsar, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab
History 3 - Ber Baba Budha Sahib, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Ber Baba Budha Sahib, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Voluntary work, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Praying, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab
More devotees, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	Etching on the marble, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	A travelling Sikh, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab	White and at peace, Amritsar

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avinder		07-Jan-2009 06:25
photo of sri harimandir sahib looks really beautiful. It gives my mind peace and harmony. The sikh reglion is very great.

Akash Sidhu		15-Mar-2008 06:51
was searching for 'sri harmandir sahib' background files for my computer from last 2 hours. Although all photos of this magnificent holy shrine are beautiful, but i found some excellent work on your web site. Thanks a lot

jasmin		15-Nov-2007 15:12
I am from Amritsar and I really appreciate your collection, infact I was looking for the pics of the the holy trees and I found your site.Great work..

Indira		26-Oct-2007 15:42
Brilliant gallery the best one i have ever seen brings back good memories keep it up great work

Guest		13-Sep-2007 03:29
superb collection of images. I was at Amritsar last week and these bring back memories....

Guest		19-May-2006 10:03
A nice gallery of a wonderful place. i know I will go back one day. I was actually going there in 1984, in july.. I couldn't because of the problems at the time. i was forbidden to get out the train.

parv		29-Apr-2006 10:39
great work and real pictires of Sikhism .. but please remove the political text written at the top about Bhinderwalle, indira gandhi, etc as all these people are black spots on the indian history .

Devinder Sangha		31-Mar-2006 16:12
I echo the sentiments of the other writer that you have done a marvelous job doing proper coverage with excellent photos and description. You asked on my page how do you take photos in side the sanctum. I took some photos aiming down from first floor without flash that way you do not disturb and no one object. To take photos from ground floor inside, prior permission is required. Keep up the good work. Devinder Sangha

Guest		21-Mar-2006 16:44
superb gallery of awesome images and nice writeup and documentation.. You managed excellently inspite of the cloudy and low light conditions Voted!

Guest		16-Mar-2006 03:26
Looks extremely peaceful and cultural.

click on thumbnails for full image

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