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| [[Image:Harimandar sahib overview.jpg|thumb|Bird's eye view of Harimandir Sahib and Amritsar|right]] | |
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| '''Harimandir Sahib:''' Literally "Temple of God."; Punjabi
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| A Gurdwara of historical, spiritual, and emotional significance to Sikhs, called Harimandir Sahib in [[Punjabi]]. [[Guru Amar Das]] first conceived of it, although construction did not begin until [[Guru Ram Das]] became the Guru. [[Maharaja Ranjit Singh]] had the structure plated with gold in the early 19th century for the first time. During 2003, the gold plating was replaced with new gold. In 1604, the recently compiled [[Adi Granth]] was housed here for the first time. The Fifth Guru, [[Guru Arjan Dev]] ji sat on the floor with the rest of the congregation while the Adi Granth was place on a high platform or [[Takhat]]. The Indian army attacked this beautiful complex in June 1984 causing severe damage to the [[Akal Takhat]] building complex.
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| [[Image:gtbss001.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The Golden Temple|left]]
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| ===Background===
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| ''Harimander Sahib'' is the most famous [[Sikh]] temple or [[Gurdwara]]. It is also called the Golden Temple in English because of the gold plating that covers most of its surface. This Gurdwara is found in the holy city of [[Amritsar]] in [[Punjab]] in North West [[India]] and is the sacred and the most visited of the many historic Sikhs shrines found in [[India]] and [[Pakistan]]. This striking building was built by the [[Guru Arjan]] Dev, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs.
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| The main temple building is surrounded by a pool or [[Sarover]]. The Sarover is surrounded by the [[Perkerma]] or Causeway, which is used by the devotees to walk in a clockwise direction around the Sarover before going into the central Temple building. The central Temple building is the hub of the religious activity. The Sri [[Guru Granth Sahib]] in housed in this building during the daytime and continuous [[Kirtan]] and [[Gurbani]] recital takes place. The main building complex has 4 doors facing East, West, North and South. These 4 doors signify the warm welcome to this shrine of all different classes and types of people from all walks of life. People of all religions are welcomed to this temple.
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| ===History===
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| [[Image:Outer walls.jpg|thumb|An old photograph of the Outer Walls of Harimandir Sahib. The inscription above the entrance reads: "The Great Guru in His wisdom looked upon Maharaja Ranjit Singh as his chief servitor and Sikh, and in his benevolence, bestowed on him the privilege of serving the Temple."|left]]
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| The foundation stone of the historic building was laid by a non-Sikh. The Guru gave the task of initiating the building to a Muslim Saint Hazrat Mian Mir ji of Lahore in December 1588. This is like asking a Jew to lay the foundation stone of the Vatican in Rome! Thus the Guru showed the world the true message of religion, which is to promote [[Interfaith]] dialogue and interaction.
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| During the 1400, this site was a small lake, surrounded by a thin forest. Travellers and holy people used the site for meditation and rest. These visitors recognised it for its special sense of tranquillity and its pure and sweet water.
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| The lake was enlarged and a small community was established during the leadership of the fourth Sikh Guru (Guru Ram Das, 1574-1581). It was during the leadership of the fifth Guru (Guru Arjan, 1581-1606), that the Golden Temple was built. It was completed in 1601.
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| ===General===
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| Many other Sikh centres exist in India but this Gurdwara Complex is World famous and has become very popular among the followers as a place of pilgrimage. The establishment of Sri Harimandir Sahib during the late 1500 was a most significant achievement of the Sikh Gurus as a centre of excellence, inspiration and action for the followers of the faith. This complex created a centre of activity and made the whole of this region prosperous and eventually becoming an important economic hub. Many administrative and economic institutes now have bases in the city of Amritsar. By the creation of this city the Gurus created an important City which today boosts an International Airport, University, Regional Capital, etc.
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| *Also called Sri Harimandir Sahib.
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| *Also called [[Golden Temple]].
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| ===External Links===
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| *[http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/Amrita.html MSN Encarta]
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| *[http://www.worldkhalsa.com/public/gurud/india/goldent.html WorldKhalsa.com]
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| *[http://www.sikh.net/Gurdwara/GOLDEN/Dayhrmdr.htm Sikh.net]
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| *[http://www.sikhnet.com/s/SevenWonders Sikhnet.com]
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| {{Sikhi:stub}}
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| ==References==
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| * ''Nomination of Sri Harimandir Sahib for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List Vol.1 Nomination Dossier'', India 2003
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| [[category:Glossary of Sikh Terms]]
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| [[Category:Historic Gurdwaras in Punjab]]
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| [[Category:Gurdwaras]]
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