Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Amritsar - Golden Temple Amritsar
The Harmandir Sahib (ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib (ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ), informally referred to as The Golden Temple, is culturally the most significant shrine of the Sikhs and one of the oldest Sikh Gurudwara. It is located in the city of Amritsar, which was established by Guru Ram Das, the fourth guru of the Sikhs and is known as "guru di nagri" meaning city of the Sikh Guru.
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Introduction
The Harmandir Sahib is considered holy by Sikhs because the eternal Guru of Sikhism, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, is always present inside in it and its construction was mainly intended to build a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religion to come and worship God equally. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the holiest literature in the Sikh religion, the tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh on 7th October 1708 at Nanded made it the eternal Sikh Guru and the leader of Sikhism. Anywhere in the world where the Guru Granth Sahib is present is equally holy and precious to Sikhs. Amritsar is the location of Harmandir Sahib.
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History
Its name literally meaning, House of God. The fourth Guru of Sikhism, [Guru Ram Das], excavated a tank in 1577 AD which subsequently became known as Amritsar (meaning: Pool of the Nectar of Immortality, giving its name to the city that grew around it. In due course, a splendid Sikh edifice, Harmandir Sahib rose in the middle of this tank and became the supreme centre of Sikhism. Its sanctum came to house the Adi Granth comprising compositions of Sikhi Gurus and other saints considered to have Sikh values and philosophies e.g. Baba Farid, Kabir, etc. The compilation of the Adi Granth was started by the fifth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
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| Originally built during 1574 AD, 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 gave a jagir (the land and 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. Guru Ram Das 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". |
The Harmandir Sahib Complex and areas in its vicinity
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| The temple is surrounded by a large lake of water, known as the Sarovar which consists of Amrit (Holy Water or Immortal Nectar). There are four entrances to the temple, signifying the importance of acceptance and openness; ostensibly, this concept is reminiscent of 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. Inside the temple complex there are many shrines to past Sikh Gurus, Saints and martyrs (see map). There are three holy trees (Bers) each signifiying a historical event or Sikh saint. Inside the temple there many memorial plaques that commemorate past Sikh historical events, saints, martyrs and includes commemorative inscriptions of all the Sikh soldiers who died fighting in World wars one and two. For a new visitor the first recommended place to visit is the information Office highlighted in the map and followed by visiting the Sikh Central museum near the main entrance and clock tower. Anyone who wants to enter the Harmandir Sahib 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. Visitors are, as well, expected to dress appropriately and everyone must cover their heads as a sign of respect, remove their shoes and wash their feet in the small pool of water as they enter the Harmandir Sahib premises. Head scarves are provided. 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 Harmandir Sahib, meaning that Harmandir sahib is open to anyone. |
The Amritsar area
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| Amritsar is located in the Majha region of the Punjab. Majha is also known as the Bari Doab, since it is the Doab (Do = two, ab = rivers) or the (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, comprised of Gurdaspur, Batala and Tarn Taran Sahib as well as Amritsar. |
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib - Golden Temple Amritsar
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is the most prominent Sikh Gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi, known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan Sahib ji, and the pond inside its complex, known as the "Sarovar", whose water is considered holy by Sikhs and is known as "Amrit". It was built by Sikh General, Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783, who supervised the construction of nine Sikh shrines in Delhi in the same year, during the reign of Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II.
It is situated in the Connaught Place, New Delhi area and is instantly recognisable by its stunning golden dome and tall flagpole, Nishan Sahib.
History
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was originally a bungalow belonging to Raja Jai Singh, an Indian ruler in the seventeenth century, and was known as Jaisinghpura Palace.
The eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan Sahib ji resided here during his stay in Delhi in 1664. During that time, there was a smallpox and cholera epidemic, and Guru Har Krishan Sahib ji helped the suffering by giving aid and fresh water from the well at this house. Soon he too contracted the illness and eventually died on March 30, 1664. A small tank was later constructed by Raja Jai Singh over the well, its water is now revered as having healing properties and is taken by Sikhs throughout the world back to their homes.
The Gurdwara and its Sarovar are now a place of pilgrimage for both Sikhs and Hindus, and a place for special congregation on birth anniversary of Guru Har Krishan Sahib ji and death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
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Jallianwala Bagh - Golden Temple Amritsar
Is a peaceful park with picnicking families and college kids, but move to a section of the wall which still has visible bullet marks, and you will be reminded of one of the most horrific events in colonial Indian history. When the Rowlatt Act (1919), which gave the British the power to arrest and imprison Indians without a trial if suspected of sedition, was imposed on Indians it was severely criticised and regular hartals (strikes) were organised to protest the law.Then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, Sir Michael O' Dwyer, arrested an Indian leader causing great unrest among the people. On April 13,1919 (also the festival of Baisakhi) around 10,000 people gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh to peacefully protest the new law. General Dyer had been called to Amritsar to return the city to order.
He arrived at the Bagh with 150-armed soldiers, ordered the crowd to scatter and two minutes later inhumanly commanded his troops to open fire. The square was surrounded by high walls and the soldiers had blocked the only entrance (and exit) to the compound. The firing (1650 rounds) continued for about 15 minutes and people were shot as they tried to jump the wall while others drowned after they jumped into the well to escape the relentless onslaught of bullets, most of which found their mark.
Jallianwala Bagh is situated at a stones throw from The Golden Temple. It is a witness of the disaster called Jallianwala Bagh slaughter. As the history goes, during the time of independence struggle, when Mangal Pandeypropel the bugle for beginning the struggle for independence, General Dyer made a rule that no Indian will be allowed to hold assembly or processions.
On 13 April 1919, Baisakhi Day, thousands of Punjabis meet from nearby places to celebrate the festival. As the communication system was underdeveloped at that time, they were not informed about this rule. Thinking it as a destruction of the law, General Dyer entered in the Park with his troops and open excited on all the innocent men women and children present there.
Jallianwala Bagh has a unique importance attached to it with respect to India's Freedom great effort. It was at this historic park that hundreds of men, women and children sacrificed their lives in front of the cruel firing of the British forces. Nowadays Jallianwala Bagh has been turned into a large and well-laid park and is a major tourist attraction.
We present you, leisure tour, business tour and pilgrimage tour. Travel to Amritsar with About Golden Temple and have a unforgettable experience of staying in best hotels in Amritsar along with a visit to nearby spiritual places including Golden Temple. You must visit historical places like Jallianwala Bagh and Ram Bagh etc. We enhance your knowledge regarding Jallianwala Bagh and presents online trip of Amritsar Punjab, India.
About 400 people (including children) died while 1500 were left wounded. Though there was an international outcry over this horrific uncalled-for massacre neither Dyer nor O'Dwyer was ever charged with any crime. In response to this massacre, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore returned his knighthood and Gandhi began his program of civil disobedience announcing that 'co-operation in any shape or form with this satanic government is sinful'.
In 1997 Queen Elizabeth II visited Jallianwala Bagh and though she laid a wreath on the memorial to the victims no official apology was made.
Jallianwala Bagh is a five-minute walk from the Golden Temple. The stone well has been preserved as a monument to the victims (120 bodies were recovered from the well) and the "flame of liberty," a 45 foot flame-shaped red sandstone pillar set in a pool, was built in 1961 as a memorial. The park is open from 6 am to 7 pm in summer and 7 am to 6 pm in winter. The Martyr's Gallery which features portraits of heroes involved in the incident, is open from 9 am to 5 pm in summer and 10 am to 4 pm in winter.
A spectrum of Left groups, as well as radical elements in the Congress, were to lay claim to the heritage of the 1919 uprising. Today, as the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance seeks to appropriate the legacies of Shaheed Udham Singh and Bhagat Singh, reclaiming the real meaning of that struggle has never been more important.
The following exchange took place at the Hunter Committee hearings:
Excuse me putting it that way, General, but was it not a resort to what has been called "frightfulness" for the benefit of the Punjab district (sic.) as a whole?
I don't think so. I think it was a horrible duty for me to perform. It was a merciful act that I had given them the chance to disperse (that is, in the morning). The responsibility was very great. I had to make up my mind that if I fired, I must fire well and strong so that it would have its full effect.
And you did not open fire with the machine guns simply by the accident of the armoured cars not being able to get in?
I have answered you. I have said that if they had been there, the possibility is that I would have opened fire with them.
You had no information that even a single individual of the mob had a firearm?
No, they were going to do it with lathis. I know there were thousands of lathis in the railway station and they were going to be their arms.
On 13 April 1919, Baisakhi Day, thousands of Punjabis meet from nearby places to celebrate the festival. As the communication system was underdeveloped at that time, they were not informed about this rule. Thinking it as a destruction of the law, General Dyer entered in the Park with his troops and open excited on all the innocent men women and children present there.
Jallianwala Bagh has a unique importance attached to it with respect to India's Freedom great effort. It was at this historic park that hundreds of men, women and children sacrificed their lives in front of the cruel firing of the British forces. Nowadays Jallianwala Bagh has been turned into a large and well-laid park and is a major tourist attraction.
We present you, leisure tour, business tour and pilgrimage tour. Travel to Amritsar with About Golden Temple and have a unforgettable experience of staying in best hotels in Amritsar along with a visit to nearby spiritual places including Golden Temple. You must visit historical places like Jallianwala Bagh and Ram Bagh etc. We enhance your knowledge regarding Jallianwala Bagh and presents online trip of Amritsar Punjab, India.
About 400 people (including children) died while 1500 were left wounded. Though there was an international outcry over this horrific uncalled-for massacre neither Dyer nor O'Dwyer was ever charged with any crime. In response to this massacre, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore returned his knighthood and Gandhi began his program of civil disobedience announcing that 'co-operation in any shape or form with this satanic government is sinful'.
In 1997 Queen Elizabeth II visited Jallianwala Bagh and though she laid a wreath on the memorial to the victims no official apology was made.
Jallianwala Bagh is a five-minute walk from the Golden Temple. The stone well has been preserved as a monument to the victims (120 bodies were recovered from the well) and the "flame of liberty," a 45 foot flame-shaped red sandstone pillar set in a pool, was built in 1961 as a memorial. The park is open from 6 am to 7 pm in summer and 7 am to 6 pm in winter. The Martyr's Gallery which features portraits of heroes involved in the incident, is open from 9 am to 5 pm in summer and 10 am to 4 pm in winter.
A spectrum of Left groups, as well as radical elements in the Congress, were to lay claim to the heritage of the 1919 uprising. Today, as the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance seeks to appropriate the legacies of Shaheed Udham Singh and Bhagat Singh, reclaiming the real meaning of that struggle has never been more important.
The following exchange took place at the Hunter Committee hearings:
Excuse me putting it that way, General, but was it not a resort to what has been called "frightfulness" for the benefit of the Punjab district (sic.) as a whole?I don't think so. I think it was a horrible duty for me to perform. It was a merciful act that I had given them the chance to disperse (that is, in the morning). The responsibility was very great. I had to make up my mind that if I fired, I must fire well and strong so that it would have its full effect.
And you did not open fire with the machine guns simply by the accident of the armoured cars not being able to get in?
I have answered you. I have said that if they had been there, the possibility is that I would have opened fire with them.
You had no information that even a single individual of the mob had a firearm?
No, they were going to do it with lathis. I know there were thousands of lathis in the railway station and they were going to be their arms.
Art Gallery at Sheesh Mahal - Golden Temple Amritsar
Art Gallery at Sheesh Mahal - Golden Temple Amritsar
Art Gallery at Sheesh Mahal
Patiala, contains a rare set of miniature paintings and paintings in Kangra, Rajasthan and Patiala styles, special section on Tibetan Arts and Artifacts etc. and its Medal Gallery contains the world's major group of Medals and decorations.
Others depict themes from mythology, legends, Raga Ragnis, Nayak-Nayika and Baramasa. The placement of concave and coloured mirrors in the prayer room creates an remarkable effect on the mind when a luminosity is put there. The floral designs on the walls are reminiscent of Emperor Jahangir's time.
Art Gallery at Sheesh Mahal
Patiala, contains a rare set of miniature paintings and paintings in Kangra, Rajasthan and Patiala styles, special section on Tibetan Arts and Artifacts etc. and its Medal Gallery contains the world's major group of Medals and decorations.Others depict themes from mythology, legends, Raga Ragnis, Nayak-Nayika and Baramasa. The placement of concave and coloured mirrors in the prayer room creates an remarkable effect on the mind when a luminosity is put there. The floral designs on the walls are reminiscent of Emperor Jahangir's time.
Shahpur Kandi Fort - Golden Temple Amritsar
Shahpur Kandi Fort (7 Km from Pathankot)
Shahpur Kandi Fort, 7 Km from Pathankot: This 16th century fort nestles at the foot of the towering Himalayas and overlooks the river Ravi. Is a comfortable rest-house now.
It was built in 16th century by Bhao Singh, who named it after the Emperor Shah Jahan. The little town of Shahpur is located on the left bank of the Ravi River. The fort now functions as a rest house.
Some Muslim Tombs and a mosque are sighted near the fort. There is a typical old stone tank just outside the village.
Shahpur Kandi Fort, 7 Km from Pathankot: This 16th century fort nestles at the foot of the towering Himalayas and overlooks the river Ravi. Is a comfortable rest-house now.It was built in 16th century by Bhao Singh, who named it after the Emperor Shah Jahan. The little town of Shahpur is located on the left bank of the Ravi River. The fort now functions as a rest house.
Some Muslim Tombs and a mosque are sighted near the fort. There is a typical old stone tank just outside the village.
The Sheesh Mahal - Golden Temple Amritsar
It was built in the reign of Maharaja Narinder Singh (1845-1862) in a forest with terraces, gardens, fountains and an artificial lake. With two watching towers in the north and the south the lake is connected to Banasar Ghar, where all type of stuffed animals are kept and Sheesh Mahal, the residential palace with a suspension bridge which is a copy of theLakhsman Jhula at Rishikesh.Part of the three storied building is inset with pieces of reflecting mirrors and a large number of wall paintings depicting scenes from Bhagwat Puran and portraits of the Sikh Gurus. The palace has galleries displaying antique paintings, bronzes, sculptures and portraits of the Maharajas of Patiala. The highlight is the gallery which displays the world's largest collection of medals, decoration and orders of various countries.
Punjab state, the smiling spirit of India has been appropriately nicknamed the city of gardens and palaces. The majestic palaces of Punjab accentuate the beauty of the tedious farmlands and majestic temples. Sheesh Mahal is one such beautiful palace in Patiala that flaunts the colorful splendor of the erstwhile maharajahs.
Sheesh Mahal built under the kind patronage of the former Maharaja of Patiala, Narendra Singh, a devotee of beauty, in the year 1847; the rambling three-storied Sheesh Mahal is a fine merge of the modern Occidental and the customary Mughal architecture.
The Sheesh Mahal palace boasts of stylish and lavishly adorned interiors. Ornate mirror works and attractive floral motifs adorn the vibrantly painted walls. Fine murals portray scenes from Indian mythology, religious teaches or even show works from the celebrated Indian literature like the masterpieces of Surdas, Keshav Das and Bihari Lal. Skillful and handy craftsmen from Rajasthan and Himachal's Kangra Valley were liable for the artistic ambience of the palace.
Patiala city is a modern city with a domestic airport, a railway station and numerous good roads. The city has numerous relaxed and reasonable priced hotels that are mostly frequented by numberless of tourists who flock to see the Sheesh Mahal, splendid in its royal grandeur, in the pleasant North Indian winters.
Medal Gallery set up in the Sheesh Mahal has on display the largest number of medals and decorations in the world, numbering 3,200. Collected by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh from all over the world, his illustrious son MaharajaYadvindra Singh gifted the entire priceless collection to the Punjab Government Museum. Among the most important, one may mention The Order of the Garter ( England) of 1348 A.D., The Order of the Golden Fleece ( Austria) founded in 1430 A.D. The Order of St. Andrews ( Russia) founded in 1688 by Peter the Great; The Order of the Rising Sun ( Japan) and Order of the Double Dragon ( China ) and The Order of the White Elephant ( Thailand). The collection contains medals from Belgium, Denmark, Finland and host of other countries of Africa and Asia.
On the advice of the Europeans, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Maharaja Dalip Singh also issued medals which are studded with precious stones. Some of them display miniature paintings of the Maharaja in profile in the centre. Inspired by his hobby, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh instituted Orders and Decorations which carry portraits of Guru Gobind Singh, Radha Krishan etc. These medals reflect religion, culture and art of many countries in metal and are great sources of history.
Besides medals, there is a rare collection of coins. This numismatic collection presents a vast range from the punch-marked coins to those issued by the princely states in the 19th century. It is a total numismatic history reflecting upon country's trade, commerce, science and metallurgy.
Sheesh Mahal built under the kind patronage of the former Maharaja of Patiala, Narendra Singh, a devotee of beauty, in the year 1847; the rambling three-storied Sheesh Mahal is a fine merge of the modern Occidental and the customary Mughal architecture.
The Sheesh Mahal palace boasts of stylish and lavishly adorned interiors. Ornate mirror works and attractive floral motifs adorn the vibrantly painted walls. Fine murals portray scenes from Indian mythology, religious teaches or even show works from the celebrated Indian literature like the masterpieces of Surdas, Keshav Das and Bihari Lal. Skillful and handy craftsmen from Rajasthan and Himachal's Kangra Valley were liable for the artistic ambience of the palace.
Patiala city is a modern city with a domestic airport, a railway station and numerous good roads. The city has numerous relaxed and reasonable priced hotels that are mostly frequented by numberless of tourists who flock to see the Sheesh Mahal, splendid in its royal grandeur, in the pleasant North Indian winters.
Medal Gallery set up in the Sheesh Mahal has on display the largest number of medals and decorations in the world, numbering 3,200. Collected by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh from all over the world, his illustrious son MaharajaYadvindra Singh gifted the entire priceless collection to the Punjab Government Museum. Among the most important, one may mention The Order of the Garter ( England) of 1348 A.D., The Order of the Golden Fleece ( Austria) founded in 1430 A.D. The Order of St. Andrews ( Russia) founded in 1688 by Peter the Great; The Order of the Rising Sun ( Japan) and Order of the Double Dragon ( China ) and The Order of the White Elephant ( Thailand). The collection contains medals from Belgium, Denmark, Finland and host of other countries of Africa and Asia.
On the advice of the Europeans, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Maharaja Dalip Singh also issued medals which are studded with precious stones. Some of them display miniature paintings of the Maharaja in profile in the centre. Inspired by his hobby, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh instituted Orders and Decorations which carry portraits of Guru Gobind Singh, Radha Krishan etc. These medals reflect religion, culture and art of many countries in metal and are great sources of history.
Besides medals, there is a rare collection of coins. This numismatic collection presents a vast range from the punch-marked coins to those issued by the princely states in the 19th century. It is a total numismatic history reflecting upon country's trade, commerce, science and metallurgy.