Introduction

Golden temple or the Harmandir Sahib is one of the most fascinating sites in India. Golden Temple is spiritually the most significant shrine in Sikhism. Founded by the fifth Sikh guru Arjan, it is an important seat of the Sigh gurus. Wrapped in gold, the Golden Temple in Amritsar is the seat of the sacred Guru Granth Sahib. It is known as an epitome of brotherhood and equality. Irrespective of caste creed and community, it is open for one and all. It not only reflects the philosophy of the Sikhs but also their architecture and cultural heritage.

Nomenclature of Golden Temple

The Harmandir Sahib, also spelled Harimandar or Harimandir Sahib, is widely known as the Golden Temple due to its gold leaf-covered sanctum. It is also referred to as the Durbar Sahib, meaning "sacred audience." The name "Harmandir" combines "Hari," which scholars interpret as "God," and "mandir," meaning "house," while "Sahib" is added as a mark of reverence in Sikh tradition. Several gurdwaras share the name Harmandir Sahib, including those in Kiratpur and Patna, but the one in Amritsar holds the highest significance.

History of Golden Temple

According to Sikh historical records, the land that now houses the Harmandir Sahib was selected by Guru Amar Das, the third Sikh Guru. Originally called “Guru Da Chakk,” the site was chosen for the development of a new town centered around a man-made pool. Guru Amar Das instructed his disciple, Ram Das, to find suitable land for the project. When Guru Ram Das succeeded him in 1574, he faced opposition from Guru Amar Das’s sons but proceeded to establish the town of Ramdaspur. With the assistance of Baba Buddha, Guru Ram Das oversaw the completion of the pool and set up his official residence nearby. He also encouraged merchants and artisans from across India to settle in the growing town.

Under Guru Arjan’s leadership, Ramdaspur expanded significantly through donations and voluntary labor, eventually evolving into the city of Amritsar and the site of the temple complex. The construction efforts between 1574 and 1604 are documented in “Mahima Prakash Vartak,” a semi-historical Sikh hagiography composed in 1741, which provides the earliest known account of the ten Sikh Gurus. In 1604, Guru Arjan installed the Sikh scripture inside the newly completed gurdwara, further solidifying Amritsar’s status as a key Sikh pilgrimage site. He also contributed extensively to Sikh literature, including the widely revered “Sukhmani Sahib.”

The town derived its name Amritsar from the pool of nectar - amrit. The project was chalked out by Guru Amar Das and the plan was executed by Ram Das under the counsel of Baba Buddhaji. The work was started by Guru Ram Das and was completed by his son and successor Guru Arjan Dev. It was in 1802 the town got incorporated in the dominion of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who donated extensively for its gold exterior.

Architecture of Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is an open place of worship, welcoming people of all backgrounds, faiths, and walks of life. Designed with a square layout, it features four entrances, symbolizing the Sikh principles of equality and inclusivity. A circumambulatory path surrounds the sacred pool, reinforcing the spiritual experience of visitors. The temple complex consists of multiple structures surrounding the sanctum and the pool. Among them is the “Akal Takht,” the highest seat of Sikh religious authority. Other key buildings include a clock tower, the offices of the Gurdwara Committee, a museum, and a “langar,” a free, community-run kitchen that serves vegetarian meals to all visitors without discrimination. Every day, over 150,000 devotees and tourists visit the shrine for worship and reflection. The Golden Temple has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status.

The architectural shape of the temple was redesigned in 1808 AD with the help of skilled Muslim architects, masons and wood-carvers from Chaniot, now in Pakistan. The entire Naqqashi (floral decoration) and Jaratkari (stone inlay) work was done by these artisans under the supervision of Badaru-Mohiudin, the chief architect. After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839, the task of completing the work fell on three Sikhs. The courtyard of the Golden Temple has been extended and remodelled many times in the present age. The boundary line of the pool was laid in AD 1570. The tank was named Amritsar and the town also came to be called by the same name. The object of Guru Arjan Dev in planning the structure was to combine both spiritual and temporal aspects, the combination of Nirg un and Sargun.

Construction of Golden Temple

Guru Ram Das acquired the land for the construction of the Harmandir Sahib. In 1581, Guru Arjan initiated the construction of the gurdwara. During this period, the pool remained empty and dry. It took eight years to complete the initial structure of the Harmandir Sahib. Guru Arjan deliberately designed the gurdwara at a lower level than the surrounding city to symbolize humility and the need to shed one’s ego before entering. He also ensured that the compound remained open on all sides, emphasizing its accessibility to people of all backgrounds. The sanctum, located within the pool, was connected by a single bridge, symbolizing the singular path to enlightenment.

By 1589, the brick-constructed gurdwara was complete. After the inauguration, the pool was filled with water. On August 16, 1604, Guru Arjan completed and installed the first compiled version of the Sikh scripture, the Adi Granth, within the gurdwara, appointing Baba Buddha as the first Granthi.

A notable feature of the temple complex is Ath Sath Tirath, a raised canopy along the marble parkarma. The name suggests that a visit to the Golden Temple is equivalent to undertaking pilgrimages to 68 sacred Hindu sites across the Indian subcontinent. The completion of the Harmandir Sahib marked a significant milestone in Sikh history, providing a central pilgrimage site and a focal point for the growing Sikh community, set within a thriving center of trade and activity.

Destruction of the Golden Temple During Mughal Era

The rising influence and success of Guru Arjan attracted the attention of the Mughal Empire. Under the orders of Emperor Jahangir, Guru Arjan was arrested and pressured to convert to Islam. When he refused, he was subjected to torture and ultimately executed in 1606.

Following his father’s martyrdom, Guru Arjan’s son and successor, Guru Hargobind, took up arms and fought a battle at Amritsar. However, in 1635, he left the city and relocated to Kiratpur. For nearly a century, the Golden Temple remained under the control of the Minas, a sect that had diverged from mainstream Sikhism.

In the 18th century, after establishing the Khalsa, Guru Gobind Singh sent Bhai Mani Singh to reclaim the temple. The Golden Temple was regarded by Mughal rulers and Afghan Sultans as the epicenter of Sikh faith, making it a frequent target of persecution. The original shrine was destroyed multiple times by hostile forces but was reconstructed in 1764. However, most of the elaborate embellishments and architectural enhancements were added in the early 19th century.

Restoration of the Golden Temple by Raja Ranjit Singh

At the age of 36, Ranjit Singh laid the foundation of the Sikh Empire with the support of the Sukerchakia Misl forces he inherited and those led by his mother-in-law, Rani Sada Kaur. In 1802, at just 22 years old, he captured Amritsar from the Bhangi Sikh Misl, paid homage at the Golden Temple, and pledged to renovate and rebuild it using marble and gold. He personally donated gilded copper panels for the shrine’s roof, valued at 500,000 rupees in the currency of the time. The roofing work was carried out by Mistri Yar Muhammad Khan under the supervision of Bhai Sand Singh, with the first gilded copper panel placed in 1803.

By 1809, the temple had been renovated with marble and copper, and in 1830, Ranjit Singh further adorned the sanctum with gold leaf. An inscription on embossed metal at the entrance of the temple commemorates the renovations sponsored by Ranjit Singh and executed under the guidance of Giani Sant Singh of the Giani Samparda.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s patronage brought wider recognition to the Golden Temple, inspiring the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, to begin providing annual grants for its upkeep. Ranjit Singh also took direct control over the management of the Durbar Sahib, the entire Golden Temple complex and appointed Sardar Desa Singh Majithia (1768–1832) to oversee its administration. To ensure its long-term maintenance, Ranjit Singh allocated land grants, with revenue from these lands dedicated to funding the temple’s operations.

Destruction and Reconstruction in Post Colonial Era

The Golden Temple complex suffered extensive destruction during Operation Blue Star, a military action conducted by the Indian Army from June 1 to June 8, 1984. The operation aimed to remove militant Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers from the Harmandir Sahib complex in Amritsar, Punjab. The decision to launch the attack was made by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The battle escalated on June 5, leading to intense skirmishes over the next three days before concluding on June 8. In the aftermath, the Indian government launched Operation Woodrose, a statewide crackdown targeting suspected militant sympathizers.

The military action within the temple complex drew sharp criticism from Sikhs worldwide, who viewed it as an attack on their faith. The operation led to widespread unrest, many Sikh soldiers deserted their posts, civil servants resigned in protest, and several prominent Sikhs returned awards received from the Indian government.

Following the operation, the government demolished hundreds of houses around the temple and constructed a security corridor known as Galliara (also spelled Galiara or Galyara). The area was later converted into a public park and officially opened in June 1988.