Golden Temple - The Symbol of Resilience
The Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is a prominent Sikh gurdwara located in Amritsar, Punjab, India. It holds immense religious significance for Sikhs and is considered the holiest shrine in Sikhism.
Golden Temple
A Holy Shrine
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Origin
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. Guru 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 Buddha of Buddhism). Guru 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. The town grew to become the city of Amritsar, and the area grew into the temple
In 1577 CE, The foundation stone of the Golden Temple was laid by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru. He chose the site where a small pool called Amrit Sarovar existed. The construction of the temple was initiated to create a central place of worship for the Sikh community.
In 1581 CE, The work on the temple's construction continued under the guidance of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru. During the construction the pool was kept empty and dry. It took 8 years to complete the first version of the Harmandir Sahib. He envisioned the temple as a place where people of all religions and castes could gather and worship together. 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.
The construction of the Golden Temple was a remarkable feat of engineering and architectural brilliance. The temple was designed as a square structure with four entrances representing inclusivity and openness. The four entrances to the gurudwara symbolises the Sikh belief in equality and the Sikh view that all people are welcome into their holy place.
The foundation stone was laid on a higher level to symbolize the equality of all individuals before God. The main sanctum, known as the Harmandir Sahib, stands at the center of a large rectangular tank called the Amrit Sarovar, which means "Pool of Nectar."
The temple's architecture blends Islamic and Hindu styles, reflecting the Sikh principle of unity among different faiths. It features intricate marble work, decorative frescoes, and ornate gold plating, which earned it the name "Golden Temple."
Mughal and Afghan Attacks
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. He refused, was tortured and executed in 1606. Guru Arjan's son and successor Guru Hargobind fought a Battle at Amritsar and later left Amritsar and its surrounding areas in 1635 for Kiratpur. For about a century after the Golden Temple was occupied by the Minas. In the 18th century, Guru Gobind Singh after creating the Khalsa sent Bhai Mani Singh to take back the temple. 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.
In 1757, the Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani, also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali, attacked Amritsar and desecrated the Golden Temple. 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. Sikhs returned and celebrated Diwali in its premises. In 1764, Baba Jassa Singh Ahluwalia collected donations to rebuild the Golden Temple. A new main gateway (Darshan Deorhi), causeway and sanctum were completed in 1776, while the floor around the pool was completed in 1784. The Sikhs also completed a canal to bring in fresh water from Ravi River for the pool.
Shri Harmandir Sahib was attacked by the Afghan forces under Ahmed Shah Abdali 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. Abdali then destroyed Shri Harmandir Sahib for the 3rd time.
Significant Event
During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century, the Golden Temple underwent significant renovations and further beautification. The gold plating on the upper floors was added, giving the temple its distinctive appearance.
The Golden Temple played a pivotal role in Sikh history during the British Raj. It became a center of resistance against British rule, and Sikhs faced persecution for their activism. The temple was damaged multiple times during conflicts, but the Sikh community always restored it to its former glory.
In 1984, the Golden Temple was tragically caught in the crossfire during Operation Blue Star, a military operation launched by the Indian government to remove armed Sikh militants who had fortified themselves inside the temple complex. The operation resulted in significant damage to the temple and loss of life.
Following the events of Operation Blue Star, extensive efforts were made to rebuild and restore the Golden Temple. The Sikh community, with support from devotees worldwide, worked tirelessly to repair and renovate the temple complex.
Conclusion
Today, the Golden Temple stands as a symbol of Sikh resilience, spirituality, and unity. It continues to attract millions of devotees and visitors from around the world who come to seek solace, participate in the community kitchen (langar), and experience the serenity of this sacred place.
The history of the Golden Temple is a testament to the enduring spirit of Sikhism and its commitment to equality, compassion, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. It attracts millions of visitors every year from all over the world who come to pay their respects and seek the blessings of the Sikh Gurus.
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