Template:AOW41
Harimandir Sahib, in Punjabi literally means "Temple of God." This is the most important Gurdwara of historical, spiritual, and emotional significance to Sikhs and is situated in Amritsar, Punjab in north west India. Guru Amar Das first conceived of this sacred place, 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.
- "Shining in the morning light, the gilded splendour of its panelling, big dome and small minarets, this temple is a fairy world palace to the devotees of the Sikh faith. Certainly, the first look brings onto the innocent eye the image of a transcendent fact. The 'loving sight' peering into heaven from the legends of the miraculous cures by the touch of the water in the pool of nectar, in which the shrine stands makes for ecstatic awareness. The vision has been received by millions of pilgrims who have come here for centuries from near and far." (quoted from a devotee)
In 1604, the recently compiled Adi Granth was housed here for the first time. The fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev 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 nearby Akal Takhat building complex. The temple is also sometimes 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 and is the sacred and the most visited of the many historic Sikhs shrines found in India and Pakistan. The foundation stone of this striking building was laid by a muslim saint called Mian Mir who was a close friend of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs. ....Continued
