Harmandar Sahib on Google Earth

Amazing views of the Golden Temple

This page is to alert everyone who reads Sikhiwiki that there is an amazing photo of the Harmandar Sahib on the new Google earth version. I had worked more than a few hours the last few weeks to provide an accurate map for anyone wanting to learn more about the Golden Temple and the sites in the complex. I went to this trouble because everymap was inaccurate or just lacking in info. Last week I was honored to open my computer one morning and see the map on the main page.

I had researched every photo, map piece of info I could find on the internet. Always I was hungry for more info, generally a problem I have.

Tonight I saw that there was a new version of Google Earth, touting many new advantages. I had loaded the program a year or two ago and made a lot of use of the satellite photos to aid in making the map, but they were very limited.

If you are already aware of the new version no need to read any further. But if you haven't seen the new version by all means download it NOW.

In this version you get perspective and can fly over Amritsar, Delhi and I imagine much of the earth--it is fantastic. Thirtyfive years ago I lived in Italy for several months and Rome for a week. I knew many places where I walked and visited, but had no sense of the whole picture or layout of Rome. Last night my wife and I were watching a program on Rome (on PBS) where shots taken from a helicopter were being shown as the copter flew around the city. There came the Campo de Fiori where my teacher had an apartement with a balcony on the corner above. I kept saying - back, back just a little, so I could see what was just over the hill (as if the filmakers who had long ago put the 'film in the can' could hear me.) A few times they did go for a wider view and I could see that my separate visits were sometimes only steps away from each other.

This new program allows you to change your elevation, come in from the other side, etc. So I typed in Amritsar and zoomed with my mouse over the city till I spotted the familiar Sarovar - - I was amazed! Then as I got closer I saw a curved object that looked like a photo. Ann, my wife, said click on the photo and I did.

You can clearly see the light bulbs, the speakers, even the golden nails holding the plates on the southern side of the Temple. You can even recognize the people standing on the walkway around the Temple. The fan at the Har ki Pauri is turned on and the etched glass plates of the Golden Lanterns are clearly visible as is the Gurmuki numerals on the clock of the Northern gate.

So please check this out, especially if like me you have never been there and can only imagine what it looks like.

If you have trouble finding the panaramic photo you must in layers check Panaramio and Gigapan photo boxes. The photo is also at this internet site [1]. However this does not fill your whole monitor and only gives you a darkish dim view and a small viewing area inferior to looking at the photo on Google Earth.