Harimandir Sahib
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Harimandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib (also Hari Mandir, Harimandar and other variants; Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ or ਹਰਿਮੰਦਿਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) is the most sacred shrine in Sikhism, located in Amritsar, Punjab, India. It is widely known as the Golden Temple, but its true name is Harimandir Sahib. Literally, Harimandir means "the Temple of God", 'Hari' being a term for God and 'Mandir' meaning Temple. Sikh devotees from all over the world come to the Temple to enjoy its blissful environs and offer their prayers. In addition, the sacred shrine is increasingly becoming a tourist attraction for visitors from all over the world. The Temple is located in India at .
History
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 of 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 pre-historic, 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 – 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 Harmandir
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
Valmiki's ashram, it is said, lay within a short distance of the renowned "Pool of Nectar". In Valmiki's time, the area was a thick forest. There were around Valmiki's ashram some more tanks with historical associations. One such hexagonal tank, Ram Tirth, is at a distance of around 1.1 kilometres from Amritsar; the others are Ramsar, Santokhsar, Ram Talai and Durgiana. Guru Ram Das must have known-the legendary importance of the place when he sanctified the pool of nectar in the sixteenth century.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. 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.
Operation Blue Star
In June 3-6, 1984 Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi ordered Operation Blue Star, a military assault on the Harimandir, which had been occupied by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The army unit involved was headed by Major General Kuldip Singh Brar, GOC, 9 Infantry Division. The occupiers refused to depart from their holiest shrine and a firefight ensued, with many killed and injured.
Many Sikhs were outraged at the desecration of their holiest shrine and their alienation had deep and dramatic consequences: on October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh.
The temple and the surrounding complex, was later repaired to correct the damage made by the militants and the military. Common people helped in that by acting as Kar Sevaks.
In film and television
- The Temple is one of the locations of Bride and Prejudice (2004).
- The Temple is also in the Indian(Hindi) serial Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin (2005).
- The Temple is also one of the places visited by the BBCs Michael Palin for the documentary 'Himalaya' (2004).
- The Temple is a highlight in the Bollywood movie, Rang De Basanti (2006) starring Aamir Khan.
Notable visits
- Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of Great Britain — October 14, 1997
- Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs— John Manley —January 2002
- Prime Minister of Canada— Jean Chretien —October 2003
- Television Presenter and Actor; Michael Palin 2004
- Indian President— A.P.J. Abdul Kalam —August 2004
- Indian Prime Minister— Manmohan Singh —September 2004
- British Foreign Secretary— Jack Straw —February 2005
Diwali Celebrations at Harmandir Sahib
Diwali being celebrated at the Harimandir in Amritsar, India.
Diwali usually occurs in October/November, and is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals of India. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships.
Sikhs celebrate Diwali to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone for the Harimandir in 1588. It is also known as Bandi Chhorh Divas('The Day of the release of the captives'). The Mughal emperor Jahangir, had the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Gobind arrested and imprisoned in the city of Gwalior (present day Madhya Pradesh). Later Jahangir relented and released the Guru. The Guru insisted that he would walk out of the prison only if 52 rulers from different parts of India, who had been imprisoned in Gwalior by Jahangir along with him, were also released. To this, Jahangir agreed. Guru ji had a gown made with 52 pieces of string for the rulers to hold as he walked out of prison.
To the joy of the Sikhs, the Guru returned to Amritsar on Diwali and it prompted his disciples to celebrate the day with joy and happiness.
On the day of Diwali, early in the morning, Sikh and Hindu pilgrims take a dip in the sacred tank surrounding the Harimandir while reciting the Japji Sahib,the great morning prayer of the Sikhs, and then pray at the Temple. Circumambulation of the tank(Parikrama) is done. In the evening, the Harmandir Sahib is illuminated with Deewé or Diyas (earthen oil lamps) or candles. There is also Aatishbazi(fireworks display).
External links
- [Sri Harmandir Sahib]
- [SikhWiki]
- [AmritSarovar.com]
- [Sikhnet.com]
- [SacredSites.com]
- [Sgpc.net]
- [SriGuruGranthSahib.org]
- [A Western journalist’s report on his short tourism experience of Punjabi Sikh shrines]
- [Pictures of the Harimandir Sahib] Pictures of the Harimandir from a backpackers trip around India.
| Gurus: | Nanak Dev |
| Philosophy: | Beliefs and principles |
| : | Ardās |
| : | Guru Granth Sahib |
| : | History |
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