Golden Temple
Several times in our lives, we come across places that give us incredible peace and serenity. Amritsar’s Golden Temple, also called the Harmandir Sahib, is one such place. Sitting on the temple grounds can fill one with immense inner peace and reflection. It is considered one of the world’s holiest shrines, and close to thousands visit it daily.
A large pool of water surrounds the shimmering temple. People gather at the temple from sunrise and stay as long as they want. If you visit the Golden Temple, try to see the sunrise there. The sun’s rays reflecting off the gold and the water are a sight to behold.
About Golden Temple
The history of the Golden Temple is quite fascinating. In 1570, the third Guru Sahib suggested excavating a holy tank and building a settlement. The building of the temple took several years, during which it was also attacked. Finally, in 1830, the gold plating was done, and the building was completed. If observed closely, the architecture of the Golden Temple reflects virtues like openness, generosity, and more. Unlike other temples, the Harmandir Sahib has four entrances in each direction. This, too, recalls how the temple is open to one and all.
An artificial body of water is in the middle, which is said to have healing powers. It is filled with fish and cleaned every day. Many devotees sit by the Sarovar and meditate. The Gurudwara is in the centre of this water, which is connected by a causeway. The inside is called the House of God, and one will find the Guru Granth Sahib and several holy pictures and scripts there. Behind the temple is the Guru Ka Langar, or the community kitchen, which is one of the biggest of its kind in the world. Daily, more than a hundred volunteers cook food to serve more than lakh pilgrims.
Visiting the Golden Temple
The best thing about Golden Temple is that it is open to everyone regardless of caste, creed, sex, social status, etc. If you take any rickshaw or bus to the Golden Temple, they will leave you at a certain point, and you will have to walk to the temple premise. Vehicles stop at busy markets, and narrow lanes lead up to the temple. Once you reach, you will have to keep your shoes and luggage at the counters.
It is a rule to cover heads inside the temple and enter only after washing their feet. Upon entering, hundreds of devotees will be sitting and meditating, listening to the hymns, or standing in line to go inside God’s House. Some even bathe themselves in the holy water. If it is your first time, keep a few hours in hand and explore the entire temple. Food and water are available at all times for free.
It is advisable not to visit during Hindu festivals like Diwali and others. Even the weekends get very crowded. The most important festivals celebrated here are Guru Nanak Jayanti, Baisakhi, Diwali, etc. Birth and death anniversaries of the ten Gurus of Sikhism are also observed. If you want to see the magnificence, visit the Swarn Mandir during sunset and sunrise. You will indeed be left speechless.
Langar or the Community Meal
Harmandir Sahib is known for its Guru Ka Langar, or the daily community meal. Meals are served to tens of thousands of people every day. Everyone is welcome to eat the food free of cost. Food is available 24 hours a day, and there are no simple meals. Several dishes are prepared by volunteers who devote their lives to the work of Harmandir Sahib. Dishes like lentil dal, chapati, yoghurt, chai, and more are provided.
You can also volunteer to cook or be of any service to the temple for a day. The main idea behind this was to make the Swarn Mandir a safe space for all. So that no one goes to sleep without food in their belly, this was started as a service. You can even spot several homeless people on the temple premises.
How to reach Golden Temple by bus
Golden Temple, situated in Amritsar, is one of the most-visited pilgrimage sites in India. Buses are the most affordable transportation to the Golden Temple from various locations in Punjab. Buses to Amritsar are also available from neighbouring states.
You can book PEPSU (Patiala and East Punjab States Union) bus tickets on the redBus to Amritsar. PEPSU has several bus routes to Amritsar, like Patiala to Amritsar, Chandigarh to Amritsar, Sangrur to Amritsar, etc.
How to reach Golden Temple from Delhi
The road from Delhi to Amritsar is around 456 kilometres, and it will take 8-9 hours to cover this route by bus. You can travel by PEPSU buses from Delhi to Amritsar, available on redBus for booking. With redBus, you can drop off at various points/stops in Amritsar. The drop-off points in Amritsar for buses coming from Delhi are Alpha One Mall, Bus Stand, Railway Station, etc. You can find autos, taxis, local buses, etc., from these bus stops/stations to the Golden Temple.
How to reach Golden Temple from Chandigarh
The first PEPSU bus from Chandigarh to Amritsar departs at 01:50 PM, while the last departs at 05:20 PM. The distance between Chandigarh and Amritsar is around 228 KM, and it takes 4 hours to cover this route by bus. The major drop-off points of buses from Chandigarh to Amritsar are Hill Gate and ISBT Amritsar.
How to reach Golden Temple from Amritsar Airport
You can travel via public buses to reach Golden Temple from Amritsar Airport. The bus tickets from Amritsar Airport to the Golden Temple start from INR 15. Buses are the most affordable means of travelling from the Golden Temple to Amritsar Airport. Besides buses, other means like autos, taxis, etc., are available from Golden Temple to Amritsar.
Reaching Amritsar
There are several ways to reach this beautiful place. The most preferred is by train or bus. However, suppose you are travelling by air. In that case, the Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport is only 11 km from the city centre. Daily flights are available from Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu, Dubai, London, Toronto, and other big cities.
Buses are a convenient and affordable means of travel. Book your tickets through Redbus and travel from Delhi, Dehradun, Shimla, or Jammu. There are buses from other North Indian towns as well. Both Government and private buses are available. You can go to redBus and choose according to the suitable time and price.
