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GOLDEN TEMPLE - HARMANDIR SAHIB Harmandir Sahib—the Golden Temple—at Amritsar is the focal point of a faith, which by the simplicity of its belief, its sublime and exalting moral principles and sustained heroism, has won an honored place in the history of India. Sikhism, the youngest of world’s religions, derives its inspiration from a living spiritual and historical tradition. The vivid and vivacious heritage has made a profound impact on the life of the people. Sikhs are unique people in the religious civilization of the world. Practical and progressive in their outlook, they are deeply attached to their faith. Religion is a vital impulse for them and it is the mainspring of their national characteristics and endeavor. Harmandir Sahib is one of the most important places of pilgrimages for the Sikhs. Situated in the pool of immortality—Amritsar--it emanates a uniquely rare atmosphere of tranquility, calmness and serenity, which inevitably affects the core of one's being. The very architectural design of Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib is extremely enchanting, captivating and enthralling. Harmandir Sahib was built under the sheltering guidance and dedicated command of Guru Arjun Dev ji. The Guru got the foundation of Harmandir Sahib laid by a Sufi Muslim saint Mian Mir. The devotees yearning and longing was that it should be the tallest and the most towering building of the town. But the Guru enlightened the followers that humility was the toughest virtue and therefore the temple must be built on a lower level. The Guru also resolved that Harmandir Sahib must be opened from all the four sides, to enable everyone to enter the holy place from any side without any discrimination whatsoever. With the sources, resources and resourcefulness of the Sikhs, the construction of the holy tank and Harmandir sahib made swift and speedy progress. In all it took about 10 years to accomplish this ambitious project. At the very venue--Kirtan—discourse—was now performed as a part of daily religious service. Guru Arjun Dev ji also complied the compositions of the Gurus including his own and also had some of the spiritual verses of other Indian saints, both Hindus and Muslims, into a single volume, now known as Adi Granth or Guru Granth Sahib. This sacred volume is unique among world’s religious books for its mystic fervor and catholicity. Guru Arjun Dev ji installed Guru Granth Sahib in the Harmandir Sahib in 1604. Baba Buddha was appointed the first officient—Granthi. The Guru set himself the routine and liturgy of the religious service. Across the centuries this routine has not changed much. Any commoner or a lover of art would be fascinated and spellbound by the sheer beauty of the interior of Harmandir. The intricate floral designs embossed on the golden sheet or the inset in stone and painting or the ornamental and filigree work done on the walls and ceiling is irresistibly enrapturing and enthralling. But the present holy building and the magnificent and fascinating interiors are not wholly original. The Sikhs suffered the insufferable to bring back the past glory and grandeur to Harmandir Sahib Guru Hargobind ji had to leave the town after the first battle of Amritsar in 1629. Guru Tegh Bahadur ji was not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum. The Kotwal of Amritsar Massa Ranghar profaned the Harmandir Sahib and defiled the pool—sarovar—in 1737. But the gallant Dal Khalsa got it reconstructed through Bhai Des Raj of Sursingh village in the year 1776. The new appearance of the Harmandir Sahib came during the regime of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1801-39), although the ornate and embellished work of interior ornamentation and adornment continued long after the death of Maharaja. World famous museum containing priceless possessions of historic values, is situated at Darshini Deodi that is on the first floor of the main gate of Harmandir Sahib . A diamond studded chanani which was presented by Nizam of Hyderabad, a wonderous neelam peacock and innumerable other precious and priceless things adore this museum. In the Operation Bluestar in June 1984, Harmandir Sahib was severely damaged and desecrated. The Sikhs felt gravely hurt at the violation of the sanctity of the holy precincts. Yet, with their characteristic resilience, the Sikhs were able to absorb the shock in their historical memory and survived the traumatic experience, soon like in the past setting to the task of cleansing the sacred precincts and restoring their pristine glory. The fact of the facts is that Harmandir Sahib is indeed singular, incomparable and unparalleled in its stirring beauty and majestic splendor and anyone who has not visited this place has missed something rare and unique.

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