You won’t be in Amritsar long before you understand what it is that draws 10,000 pilgrims here every single day. The Golden Temple is not only a marvel to behold, with its amazing dome clothed in 750kg of gold, but it is also the holiest shrine in Sikhism. It’s a place of serenity and spirituality that will leave you lost for words.
It might seem odd to call a huge gold-plated temple a monument to modesty, but actually, it’s true. Also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, the temple has four entrances, symbolising the openness of the Sikh religion towards all others. What’s more, the architect planned the temple at a lower level than the city to remind people to be humble in front of the Guru.
The Golden Temple is a great starting point from which to dive in at the deep end of Sikh culture and spirituality. In the inner sanctum, priests and musicians chant from the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, from dawn till dusk, creating an intense and mystical atmosphere. Outside, the temple is surrounded by the Sarovar, a huge pool of water, which – for some – is even more sacred than the temple itself and is said to have rejuvenating powers.
The temple is also a point of pride and sadness for Sikhs. It has been rebuilt time and time again after becoming a target of persecution under the Mughal empire, and it was during one of these rebuilds that the gold foil overlay was added. As recently as 1984, there were clashes between the Sikh community and the Indian government within the temple complex. You can learn more in the Sikh Central Museum on site.
Amritsar is a heady cocktail of beauty, history and spirituality, and nowhere is it more concentrated than in the Golden Temple. You’ll be blown away.