Structure of Harmandar Sahib: Difference between revisions
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The fluted Dome of the Sheesh Mahal with its Bangladar roof is shaped like an inverted lotus; it took 220 lbs. of Gold to cover its surface. One large hall which contains the Darbar Sahib (the Court of the Lord) in which the Guru Granth Sahib passes the hours of daylight, dominates the interior of the Gurdwara. The interior walls and ceilings are elaborately embellished with inlayed marble, tempera paintings and embossed metalwork. | The fluted Dome of the Sheesh Mahal with its Bangladar roof is shaped like an inverted lotus; it took 220 lbs. of Gold to cover its surface. One large hall which contains the Darbar Sahib (the Court of the Lord) in which the Guru Granth Sahib passes the hours of daylight, dominates the interior of the Gurdwara. The interior walls and ceilings are elaborately embellished with inlayed marble, tempera paintings and embossed metalwork. | ||
The internal spaces of Harmandar Sahib are named "Sachkhand", the 'Prakash Ashthan' is the space which houses the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] during the day. The shrine has doors on all four sides which can be | The internal spaces of Harmandar Sahib are named "Sachkhand", the 'Prakash Ashthan' is the space which houses the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] during the day. The shrine has doors on all four sides which can be entered from the causeway which widens to encircle the Mandir. At the rear of the Gurdwara which faces the east and the rising Sun there is a flight of steps, known as the `Har- ki Pauri' (Steps of God) which descend into the sarovar. The steps were named by Guru Arjan who would often sit here, during the construction of the sarovar. Visitors to the shrine often decend these steps to sip handfuls of Amrit. | ||
The staircase adjoining the `har-ki-pauri' leads to the first floor of the shrine. There is a small square pavilion surrounded by a low fluted golden dome in this storey. | The staircase adjoining the `har-ki-pauri' leads to the first floor of the shrine. There is a small square pavilion surrounded by a low fluted golden dome in this storey. | ||
==Akal Takht Sahib== | ==Akal Takht Sahib== | ||
Tilted just off the axis of the temple and the causeway is the Akal (eternal) Takht (Persian for Throne) Sahib, the highest religious seat of authority for the Sikhs, which stands facing the | Tilted just off the axis of the temple and the causeway is the Akal (eternal) Takht (Persian for Throne) Sahib, the highest religious seat of authority for the Sikhs, which stands just beyond the Khazana Deori, facing the Darshani Deori the entrance to the causeway. Within the imposing five storied structure, is the chamber where the Adi Granth, the holy book, is placed during the night. The Takht also houses weapons which belonged to Sikh Gurus and many of its renowned warriors, as well as many other treasures of Sikh history. | ||
Though the Takht lies on the principle axis of the Harmandir, it is skewed slightly to the East to face directly towards the East. On the Southern side of the Akal Takht Sahib is the Shaheed Baba Gurbaksh Singh Ashton and just to its North is the [[Gurdwara Thara Sahib]], built at the spot were the 9th Nanak, [[Guru Tegh Bahadur]] rested after the Mahants, who then had control of the Harmandar Sahib, refused to allow him to enter the Harmandar Sahib. The Guru, whose long seclusion at Bakala had just been ended by the rooftop shouts of Makhand Shah, had come to the Mandir to pay his respects. His was the last visit of a human Guru of the Sikhs to Amritsar. | |||
Just ahead of the Takht on its left are two Nishan Sahibs (flagpoles) connected with an x shaped brace of metal which invokes the memory of Miri and Piri, the two swords of Guru Hargobind, the Guru who had the Akal Takht constructed, which symbolized the temporal and the spiritual powers of the Guru and the Sikhs. The cross braces of the Nishan Sahibs have a circular plaque at their crossing point which is embossed with the Ek Onkar Emblem. It is no accident that the two masts are not of the same height, as the one representing the spiritual or Heavenly realm is seen as the more inportant of the two. | |||
In front of the Nishan Sahibs is an expansive multi-activity space, known as the [[Gunnatha]], which is often used for congregational activities. Each morning at sunrise the area fills with Sikhs and other visitors to the Temple who have come to catch a glimpse or Darshan of the Sikh Holy Bir as it is carried on its bejeweled palki to the Harmandar Sahib for the day. The scene is repeated again each night as the sun sinks in the west over the Akal Takht. Even while the Temple was besieged by the Indian Army in 1984 during [[Operation Bluestar]] the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] was carried to the Mandir where it was pierced by a bullet or piece of shrapnel while it was being read by a Granthi. | |||
==Parikarma== | ==Parikarma== | ||
{{tocright}} | {{tocright}} | ||
The Parikarma the circumnambulatory pathway which surrounds the amritsar has a raised platform towards the sarovar and a colonnaded space and series of rooms onto the other side. There are four shrines | The Parikarma the circumnambulatory pathway which surrounds the amritsar has a raised platform towards the sarovar and a colonnaded space and series of rooms onto the other side. There are four shrines located around the Parikarma where Pilgrims, who circumnambulate the whole Parikarma before entering the Darshani Deori, pause to pay their respects. Starting from the Darshani Deori, (visitors to the Gurdwara usually enter at the ––––––––Deori) and moving in clockwise direction) the Lachi beri (beri=small tree), Baba Budha ji beri, Dukh Bhenjini beri and the shrine of Baba Deep Singh who died at this very spot defending the Harmander from an attack. | ||
There are three pons, enclosures which allow women to enter the Sarovar in privacy. | There are three pons, enclosures which allow women to enter the Sarovar in privacy. | ||
Revision as of 17:01, 9 August 2008
The Golden Temple or Sri Harmandar Sahib is the most popular of all Sikh shrines. Sikh places of worship or Sikh shrines are called Gurdwaras. The Sri Harmandar Sahib is located in Amritsar in Punjab, India.
Over the years the city has come to be known by the name of the Holy pool in which the Harmandar Sahib stands. Located in the center of the huge Amrit-sar (pool of nectar) the Harmandir (sanctum sanctorum) symbolizes the synthesis of nirgun and sargun (the spiritual and temporal realms of human existence) for the Sikhs. The Mandir is reached by a causeway from the `swarg dwarn' or Darshini Deori (gateway). From the outside the Mandir seems to be floating on the water's surface, but the first floor is actually submerged in the sarovar and can only be seen during Kar Sewa when the pool is drained and cleaned. Above the water there are two floors and a roof Pavillion. The exterior of the first is clad in marble panels with beautiful pietra dura (also used extensively at the Taj Mahal). The exterior of the second floor (which includes a parapet that surrounds the roof of the Temple) is covered in heavily embossed metal panels which are covered in Gold originally donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. On the roof of the Mandir there is an airy pavillion known as the Sheesh Mahal (the Mirrored Hall) whose interior is set with pieces of mirror of different shapes, sizes and colors; hence the name Sheesh Mahal.
The fluted Dome of the Sheesh Mahal with its Bangladar roof is shaped like an inverted lotus; it took 220 lbs. of Gold to cover its surface. One large hall which contains the Darbar Sahib (the Court of the Lord) in which the Guru Granth Sahib passes the hours of daylight, dominates the interior of the Gurdwara. The interior walls and ceilings are elaborately embellished with inlayed marble, tempera paintings and embossed metalwork.
The internal spaces of Harmandar Sahib are named "Sachkhand", the 'Prakash Ashthan' is the space which houses the Guru Granth Sahib during the day. The shrine has doors on all four sides which can be entered from the causeway which widens to encircle the Mandir. At the rear of the Gurdwara which faces the east and the rising Sun there is a flight of steps, known as the `Har- ki Pauri' (Steps of God) which descend into the sarovar. The steps were named by Guru Arjan who would often sit here, during the construction of the sarovar. Visitors to the shrine often decend these steps to sip handfuls of Amrit.
The staircase adjoining the `har-ki-pauri' leads to the first floor of the shrine. There is a small square pavilion surrounded by a low fluted golden dome in this storey.
Akal Takht Sahib
Tilted just off the axis of the temple and the causeway is the Akal (eternal) Takht (Persian for Throne) Sahib, the highest religious seat of authority for the Sikhs, which stands just beyond the Khazana Deori, facing the Darshani Deori the entrance to the causeway. Within the imposing five storied structure, is the chamber where the Adi Granth, the holy book, is placed during the night. The Takht also houses weapons which belonged to Sikh Gurus and many of its renowned warriors, as well as many other treasures of Sikh history.
Though the Takht lies on the principle axis of the Harmandir, it is skewed slightly to the East to face directly towards the East. On the Southern side of the Akal Takht Sahib is the Shaheed Baba Gurbaksh Singh Ashton and just to its North is the Gurdwara Thara Sahib, built at the spot were the 9th Nanak, Guru Tegh Bahadur rested after the Mahants, who then had control of the Harmandar Sahib, refused to allow him to enter the Harmandar Sahib. The Guru, whose long seclusion at Bakala had just been ended by the rooftop shouts of Makhand Shah, had come to the Mandir to pay his respects. His was the last visit of a human Guru of the Sikhs to Amritsar.
Just ahead of the Takht on its left are two Nishan Sahibs (flagpoles) connected with an x shaped brace of metal which invokes the memory of Miri and Piri, the two swords of Guru Hargobind, the Guru who had the Akal Takht constructed, which symbolized the temporal and the spiritual powers of the Guru and the Sikhs. The cross braces of the Nishan Sahibs have a circular plaque at their crossing point which is embossed with the Ek Onkar Emblem. It is no accident that the two masts are not of the same height, as the one representing the spiritual or Heavenly realm is seen as the more inportant of the two.
In front of the Nishan Sahibs is an expansive multi-activity space, known as the Gunnatha, which is often used for congregational activities. Each morning at sunrise the area fills with Sikhs and other visitors to the Temple who have come to catch a glimpse or Darshan of the Sikh Holy Bir as it is carried on its bejeweled palki to the Harmandar Sahib for the day. The scene is repeated again each night as the sun sinks in the west over the Akal Takht. Even while the Temple was besieged by the Indian Army in 1984 during Operation Bluestar the Guru Granth Sahib was carried to the Mandir where it was pierced by a bullet or piece of shrapnel while it was being read by a Granthi.
Parikarma
The Parikarma the circumnambulatory pathway which surrounds the amritsar has a raised platform towards the sarovar and a colonnaded space and series of rooms onto the other side. There are four shrines located around the Parikarma where Pilgrims, who circumnambulate the whole Parikarma before entering the Darshani Deori, pause to pay their respects. Starting from the Darshani Deori, (visitors to the Gurdwara usually enter at the ––––––––Deori) and moving in clockwise direction) the Lachi beri (beri=small tree), Baba Budha ji beri, Dukh Bhenjini beri and the shrine of Baba Deep Singh who died at this very spot defending the Harmander from an attack.
There are three pons, enclosures which allow women to enter the Sarovar in privacy.
Along the same principle axis of the Harimandir-Akal Takht Sahib is Dukh Bhanjini ber, which is towards the Har ki pauri Dukh bhanjini beri also has a small platform adjacent to it, with a small shrine on the platform, which signifies Ath Safh Teerth (68 holy places). Rooms opposite to all these holy shrines house the granthis. The other rooms served the Harimandir Sahib in some way or the other. One of the rooms contains the SGPC office. The rooms' abutting the Gurmathe space is kerha prasad room (where the Prasad or the sacred sweet is prepared and served). Ghhabils drinking water facility is provided in all the four corners of the outer Parikarma.
Deories (Gateways)
There are five Deories (gateways) in the Parikarma, which lead into the core-precinct. Deories (gateways) are all at a higher level than the core-precinct. To the interior side of these entrances have a descending flight of steps up to the level of the Parikarma. All these Deories have rooms within. The names of the Deories are; The Ghanta Ghar Deori, the Langar Deori, the Manji Sahib Deori, Atta Mandi Deori. Sikh Reference Library Deori and the Khazana Deori. Outside all these Deories are the Joda ghar (shoe house), where one leaves the footwear and then walk to `Chhabachha' wash their feet.
Bunga
The word 'bunga' is derived from a Persian word, which means an abode, a rest house or a place of dwelling.
During the Misl period- in the 18r" century, after the Sikhs had succeeded in establishing their military strength as the Dal Khalsa and emerged as a political power they consolidated their position in the Punjab with Amritsar as node. While undertaking the reconstruction of the temple (desecrated for the third time in 1762 by Ahmed Shah Abdali) the prominent Sikh chieftains built Bungas around the Parikarma of the Amrit saran. Though initially the idea was to provide a ready line of defense, but eventually it also served as a valuable institute of learning. Originally there were 74 bungers built between 1765 and 1833 around the Parikarma of the Harimandir Sahib. Adi Granth -the holy book- is placed there during night. It also houses the weapons belonging to Sikh Gurus and renowned warriors. The edifice though lies on the principle axis of the Harimandir, but is skewed and is oriented towards the east. On the northern side of the Akal Takht Sahib is the Shaheed Baba Gurbaksh Singh Ashtan, Thara Sahib associated with Guru Tegh Bahadur and the two Nishan Sahib. In front of the edifice are two Nishan Sahibs (these are two poles with a flag, connected to each other) symbolizing Mid- Pirl, the temporal and the spiritual powers. In front of this is the open multi activity space, also known as Gurmatha space, used for congregation activities.
Langar
The Pangat or the community kitchen is a very important institution for the Sikhs. The concepts of `langar' and 'sewa' demonstrate practically the philosophy of life as in 'truth is all important but alcove all is truth full living'. The philosophy stresses that spiritual empowerment and salvation is for all irrespective of caste and creed if one can live ones life on the principles.
The Langar building in the complex is a three storied structure with exposed brick work. The ground and the first being used for the Langar and the third floor being used by the sewadars.
Gurudwara Manji Sahib
Gurudwara Manji Sahib is situated in the Guru Ka Bagh turned now into a very spacious lecture hall.
Gurudwara Baba Atal
This is an Octagonal shaped nine storied building, erected in the memory of Atal Rai, the younger son of Guru Hargobind, the seventh Sikh Guru. Baba Atal Gurudwara is 150 feet high and is the tallest building in the city of Amritsar. Nine stories represent the age (nine years) of Baba Atal. All the stories are not of the same height.
First six storeys are higher than the remaining three. The four doors of the ground floor are decorated with elegantly embossed designs on Brss and silver sheets. The interior walls and ceiling of the ground floor are covered with a number of murals and contains fresco in series. Guru Granth Sahib is kept in the ground floor of the building.
Mata Kaulsar
The water tank situated towards the south west of the Golden Temple is known as Kaulsar (Lotus Tank) and the shrine as Gurudwana Asthan Mai Kaulan. Guru Granth Sahib is kept in the Gurdwara Mata Kaulsar.
