Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) is located in Amritsar, Punjab, India. It is the holiest shrine of Sikhs. Its construction began in 1644 AD under the orders of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth guru of Sikhism. This temple was built in pure white marble. The temple has three entrances - the main entrance from where devotees enter the temple; the second is through a door facing east called Darbar Sahib (the court of God), and the third is from the north-east gate known as Jassa Singh Gate. The Harmandir Sahib buildings are unique in that they have no straight lines. Rather, its design is based on the leaves of lotus flowers. The temple consists of 4 stories and each level represents a different element of nature. The first floor contains rooms dedicated to various deities including Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, Surya, Chandra, Ganesha, Durga, and others. The second floor houses the hall where daily rituals are conducted. The third floor holds the library and the fourth floor is reserved for the priests. The holy scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib Ji are kept here.
Harmandir Sahi is the largest gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) in the world. It can accommodate over 1 million people. There are many other smaller temples around the temple complex. One of these temples is situated at the banks of the sacred river Beas. It is believed that if a person bathes in this river then his sins would be washed away. Harmandir Sahab is famous for its beautiful intricate carvings and paintings. The temple is adorned with gold and silver. Many other small temples are spread across the premises. These include temples dedicated to Hanuman, Balbir, Jaggi Nath, Bibi Radhika Bai, and Mata Sundri Devi. A large number of tourists visit the temple throughout the year. Besides Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and some Sikhs also visit the temple. Harmandir Sahabi attracts about 2 million pilgrims every year.
In 2013, the government of India declared Harmandir Sahib a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Golden Temple has undergone many changes over time but currently stands at around 100 feet high and covers approximately 20 acres of land. There are five separate temples inside the complex: the Harmandir Sahib (main temple), the Akal Takhat (the highest temporal seat of the Guru Granth Sahib), and the Baba Budha Pahar (temple of the Buddhas), the Jassa Ghar (cow shed) and the Kartarpur Sahib. The Golden Temple is open to devotees 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. It is considered a symbol of peace and prosperity and is visited by millions of people annually. The temple is located on top of a hill and visitors can climb the stairs leading up to the temple. The steps were originally covered in gold but have since been replaced with marble.
The temple is surrounded by a wall that is about 2.5 miles long and contains numerous gates. The walls are decorated with paintings depicting stories from the Hindu epic Ramayana. Inside the temple, devotees are allowed to touch the various symbols of their faith including the holy book, the Guru Granth Sahab. Visitors may also take photographs of themselves touching these symbols.
