A pleasant view in day at Golden Temple (Amritsar)
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A beautiful view in night at Golden Temple (Amritsar)
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Q: What is Golden Temple?
A: The Gurdwara is surrounded by a large lake or
holy tank, known as the Sarovar, which consists of
Amrit
("holy water" or "immortal nectar"). There are four entrances to the
Gurdwara, signifying the importance of acceptance and openness. Inside
the Gurdwara complex there are many shrines to past Sikh Gurus, saints
and martyrs (
see map). There are three holy trees (
bers),
each signifying a historical event or Sikh saint. Inside the Gurdwara
there are 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 I and II.
In 1988, after
Operation Black Thunder,
the government acquired a narrow peripheral strip of land (including
buildings) in order to use their space as a security buffer. The
acquisition process involved the displacement and relocation of a large
number of residences and businesses. However, the project met with a
strong resistance from both moderate and militant Sikh organisations and
had to be abandoned following the murder of a senior
government-employed engineer connected with the project. The project was
revived only in 1993 by the Deputy Commissioner Karan Bir Singh Sidhu,
who was also appointed as the project director of what became popularly
known as the
Galliara Project. He changed the concept of the periphery from that of a security belt to that of a second
parikarma
and created a serene landscape that was fully consistent with the
ethereal beauty of Sri Harmandir Sahib. This was done in quiet
consultation with the
Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC). Present-day pilgrims can travel by foot in the
Galliara; no vehicles are permitted.
In keeping with the rule observed at all Sikh Gurdwaras worldwide,
Sri Harmandir Sahib is open to all persons regardless of their religion,
colour, creed, or sex. The only restrictions on Sri Harmandir Sahib's
visitors concern their behavior when entering and while visiting:
- Maintaining the purity of the sacred space and of one's body while in it:
- Upon entering the premises, removing one's shoes (leaving them off
for the duration of one's visit) and washing one's feet in the small
pool of water provided;
- Not drinking alcohol, eating meat, or smoking cigarettes or other drugs while in the shrine
- Dressing appropriately:
- Wearing a head covering (a sign of respect) (the Gurdwara provides
head scarves for visitors who have not brought a suitable covering);
- Not wearing shoes (see above).
- How to act:
- One must also sit on the ground while in the Darbar Sahib as a sign of deference to both the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and God.
First-time visitors are advised to begin their visit at the
information office highlighted in the map and then proceed to the
Central Sikh Museum near the main entrance and clock tower.
Operation Blue Star
Operation Blue Star was commenced on 3 June 1984 and ended on 6 June 1984. The
Indian Army led by General
Kuldip Singh Brar brought infantry, artillery, and tanks into Sri Harmandir Sahib to arrest
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Sri Harmandir Sahib complex and some of the surrounding houses were fortified. The Statesman reported on 4 July that light machine-guns and sophisticated self-loading rifles were known to have been brought into the compound.
Indira Gandhi ordered the army to launch
Operation Blue Star. Within six months, Indira Gandhi’s Sikh bodyguards killed her (31 October 1984) for the perceived sacrilege.
Fierce fighting ensued between Bhindranwale's supporters and the soldiers, in which many of the Sikhs were killed along with many soldiers. An official account tallies the deaths of 83 soldiers and 492 civilians killed by the army Sri Harmandir Sahib complex also suffered much damage due to the attack, especially the holy Sri Akal Takhat Sahib.
This attack is regarded as a desecration of Sikhism's holiest shrine and discrimination of a
minority in India.
In 1986, the repairs performed on the holy Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, which the
Rajiv Gandhi Government had undertaken without consultation, were removed. A new Sri Akal Takhat Sahib was completed in 1999 by
Kar Sevaks.
