Sat Shri Akal
Harimandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib (also Hari Mandir, Harimandar and other variants; Punjabi: is the most sacred shrine in Sikhism, located in Amritsar, Punjab, India. It is widely known as the Golden Temple. Literally, Harimandir means "the Temple of God", 'Hari' being a term for God and 'Mandir' meaning Temple. Sikh devotees, for whom the Temple is a symbol of freedom and spiritual independence, come to the Temple from all over the world to enjoy its environs and offer their prayers. In addition, the shrine is increasingly becoming a tourist attraction for visitors from all over the world. The Temple is located in India at 31¡ã37¡ä12¡åN, 74¡ã52¡ä37¡åE
The Amritsar area
Amritsar is located in the Majha region of the Punjab. Majha is also known as the Bari Doab, since it is the Doab or (fluvial) tract of land which lies between two of the five great rivers of the province, the Ravi and the Beas. As such, Majha lies in the heart of the ancient Punjab region. Besides Amritsar, it comprises Gurdaspur, Batala and Tarn Taran Sahib.
Amritsar is one of the most ancient and legendary sites in the Punjab. The origin of the place where the Sri Hari Mandir stands is shrouded in mystery. Some trace its origin to the early Vedic-epic period as a place of considerable religious importance in the form of an Amrit Kund (Spring of Nectar). But the site seems to have lost its eminence under the sway of Buddhism, which swept away most of the important Hindu holy places. According to popular belief ¨C Valmiki wrote his celebrated epic, the Ramayana, near this hallowed site of the "Pool of Nectar". It was here, too, that Sita stayed during the period of her vanavasa (banishment). Here again, the twin sons of Sri Rama, were taught the Ramayana. Yet another legend identifies the site of this pool with the place where the whole of Sri Rama's army was destroyed by his sons, Lava and Kusha, and relates how at that time a jug of nectar descended from heaven to restore the soldiers to life.
The construction of the Harimandir
Originally during 1574, the site of the temple was surrounded by a small lake, in a thin forest. The third of the six grand Mughals, emperor Akbar, who visited the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das at the neighbouring town of Goindval, was so impressed by the way of life in the town that he assigned the revenues of several villages in the vicinity to the Guru's daughter, Bhani as a gift on her marriage to Bhai Jetha, who later became the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das. He enlarged the lake and built a small township around it. The town was named after Guru Ram Das as 'Guru Ka Chak','Chak Ram Das' or 'Ram Das Pura'. It was during the leadership of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1581-1606), that the full fledged Temple was built. In December, 1588, the great Sufi of Lahore, Hazrat Mian Mir, who was a friend of Guru Arjan, initiated the construction of the building by laying the foundation stone. It was completed in 1601. The temple was later attacked by the Afghans under Ahmed Shah Abdali and had to be substantially rebuilt in the 1760s.
The Harimandir Complex and areas in its vicinity
The temple is surrounded by a pool of water, known as the Sarovar which consists of Amrit (Holy Water). There are four entrances to the temple, signifying the importance of acceptance and openness; ostensibly, this concept was taken from the tent of Abraham in the Old Testament -- his tent was open on all four sides in order to be able to welcome travelers from all directions. Anyone who wants to enter the Harimandir may do so, irrespective of religion, colour, creed or sex. The only restrictions are that the person must not drink alcohol, eat meat or smoke cigarettes or other drugs while in the shrine. All Sikh temples (Gurdwaras) in the world follow this traditional rule that everyone is welcome to enter. There are four doors to get into the Harimandir Sahib, meaning that Harimandir sahib is open to anyone. Everyone must cover their heads as a sign of respect and wash their feet in the small pool of water as they enter the Harimandir Sahib premises
Art
Much of the present decorative gilding and marblework date from the early 1800s. All the gold and exquisite marble work were conducted under the patronage of Ranjit Singh, Maharaja of the Sikh Kingdom of the Punjab. The Sher-e-Punjab (Lion of the Punjab), was a heavy donor of wealth and materials for the shrine and is remembered with much affection by the Punjabi people in general and the Sikh community in particular
Recent events
On July 6, 2005 the SGPC decided to install closed circuit television cameras around the Harmandir Complex and will be adding more security due to other attacks in India on other religious areas.
