The Golden Temple risen upon the pool

Sikhism

ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ

Golden Temple

“A temple risen in gold upon the sacred pool”

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Photo: Shagil Kannur · CC BY-SA 4.0

Scenes

A pilgrim at the Golden TemplePaulrudd · CC BY-SA 4.0
Langar, the community meal open to everyoneHarvinder Chandigarh · CC BY 4.0

Meaning

Walking barefoot on the white marble that rings the still pool, you see the golden temple shining at the water's center like a song.

Revered as one of the most important sacred places of Sikhism, its four doors are understood as a welcome to all. In the temple at the heart of the pool, the recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib continues through the day.

Field notes

Location
Amritsar · India · N31.6° · E74.9°
Best time
Daybreak and dusk, when the golden temple glows on the pool
Getting there
In the heart of Amritsar; enter with head covered and feet bare.
Etiquette
Cover your head, enter barefoot, and share in the langar — the community meal open to all.

Sources

  • · Encyclopaedia Britannica
  • · Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee
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Photographs are freely licensed works from Wikimedia Commons and similar sources; the author and license appear beneath each image.