Summary
- Explore the Golden Temple of Amritsar, a significant spiritual site for Sikhs.
- Understand the core tenets of Sikhism and its inclusive values.
- Experience the unique rituals and hospitality at the temple.
The top of our list when traveling to India was to visit Punjab and witness the Golden Temple of Amritsar. The Golden Temple of Amritsar, or Darbar Sahib or Harmandar Sahib, is Sikhism’s Holiest Site.
However, this temple welcomes everyone to enjoy its beauty and spirituality. It doesn’t matter your race, faith, or culture; everyone is welcome.
Visit The Golden Temple of Amritsar
Amritsar is located in Punjab and is 460 km from Delhi. We spent 12 hours on a slow train in general class, where locals welcomed us, offering food and even their seats to make us more comfortable. We knew this trip was going to be special before we even arrived.
Moreover, men and women must cover their heads out of respect before entering the Golden Temple. Long pants and shoulders should also be covered.
Like many other holy places, shoes are not allowed in the temple complex. However, there is a unique twist: before entering, you walk through a foot bath to ensure your feet are clean.
The Golden Temple itself is free to enter.
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About Sikhism
In my humble opinion, Sikh religion is one of the least understood religions on the planet. We learned quite a bit during our time at the Golden Temple, and we’d like to share what we learned about Sikhism there.
Founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak, Sikhism arose from frustration with the caste system and rituals of other religions, aiming to be all-inclusive. Much of the religion is also based on science.
Unlike The Pope of Catholicism or The Dalai Lama of Buddhism, a woman can lead the Sikhs if she is elected. Consequently, women hold complete equality and can even be the head of the religion.
The Sikh religion operates democratically; anyone can take the helm. You don’t have to be born or ordained as the leader—you are elected to a committee. If people are unhappy with your performance, you may be replaced in the next election.
The Sikhs are all-inclusive, and this is evident at the Golden Temple, where visitors are eager to share their views and explain their beliefs. As more people shared insights into Sikhism, we began to grasp its true meaning.
The Holy Tree at The Golden Temple
One of the holy sites at the Golden Temple is the Holy Tree. Baba Budha Ji, one of the most revered Sikh Gurus, laid the foundation of the Golden Temple after resting under a shrub.
In 1506, he camped under this exact tree, which still stands today. Many people pause to pay their respects here.
The Holy Tank
Baba Budha Ji also constructed the moat, known as the holy tank, which surrounds the temple. This tank is filled with holy water, and people bathe in it to wash away sins and keep illness at bay.
Men bathe in the open, while women have a private area for themselves. After bathing, worshippers cross the tank to enter the central temple, the Harmandir Sahib.
Harmandir Sahib
The Golden Temple itself—Harmandir Sahib—is surrounded by other milky white temples and the moat. Although it is modest in size, its beauty is stunning.
Built in 1577, the temple’s dome is adorned with 750 kg of pure gold.
It has endured the test of time, thanks to the Sikhs who continually rebuilt it after it was destroyed by Afghan armies and the Mughal Empire. It was in 1809 that it was finally reconstructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and covered in gold foil, giving it the name The Golden Temple.
A marble walkway surrounds the temple, providing protection from all four sides.
We had never felt as welcomed anywhere in India.
Numerous people were delighted to have us visit their shrine to Sikhism and to experience their way of life. They stopped to take photos with us, share their history, and simply welcome us to their home.
Punjab is home to some of India’s wealthiest individuals. When they learned that we were from Canada, they often remarked that they knew our country well. Many people we met actually lived in Canada and were back in India visiting relatives.
Others shared how they planned to move to Canada for studies or had relatives there who visited them regularly.
Our conversations were rich and engaging, far beyond the usual “Where are you from?” exchanges. In Amritsar, we engaged in deep discussions about Sikhism, India, and life in Canada.
Visiting the Golden Temple
It is easy to spend hours at the Golden Temple. Situated in the center of Amritsar, the complex is expansive and visible from virtually everywhere.
As you stroll around the marble walkway, the soothing hymns of musicians and priests singing from the holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, resonate from the loudspeakers.
Moreover, Sikhs do not believe in noise pollution, so the speakers are adjusted to a comfortable volume. Visitors can enjoy the sound without it traveling far beyond the complex walls.
Navigating Through the Huge Crowd
After several hours, we made our way to the causeway leading to the entrance of the Golden Temple, the Harmandir Sahib. The crowd was thick yet orderly as we slowly crossed the Tank to one of the temple’s four entrances.
Once we reached the temple, the pushing and shoving to get inside began. We couldn’t comprehend the rush since you can spend as much time as you wish inside. Nevertheless, excitement was in the air to see what we had long waited to witness.
The main level features musicians and holy men seated in the center, continuously performing from sunrise to sunset, taking turns reciting in two-hour shifts.
The holy scripture is displayed under a white cloth, with visitors throwing donations into the center as if their lives depended on it.
The Clock Tower
We ventured to the other two levels and took time to enjoy the serene view, while others around us prayed and listened to the sacred words.
From the temple, a beautiful view of the clock tower emerged. From up here, the Golden Temple of Amritsar radiated peace, and we felt remarkably tranquil.
100,000 People Eat at the Golden Temple Each Day
There is no entry fee for the temple; visiting the Golden Temple is complimentary, and they will even provide meals as a token of appreciation for your visit. The Golden Temple dining hall caters to up to 100,000 people daily through a free kitchen run by volunteers.
This extraordinary endeavor has persisted for 450 years, without skipping a single day.
No matter one’s status in life, everyone shares meals together on the floor. You might find yourself seated beside a celebrity, royal, or even the president. Your identity bears no significance; everyone is treated equally.
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The food is clean and delicious, and their 450 years of experience is evident as they efficiently serve thousands in a mere 10 minutes.
Dahl, chapati, ghee, and aloo gobi grace the menu, all cooked to perfection.
Upon finishing, diners gather their stainless steel trays to take to the wash station while the next wave of pilgrims enters. This process is a captivating experience not to be missed.
Our Time at the Golden Temple of Amritsar
Dave and I typically aren’t extraordinarily enthusiastic about temples, but this one is exceptionally impressive and beautiful. In our view, it is the number one must-see temple in India.
We ensured to revisit the temple at various times of the day to appreciate its unique beauty and energy. The nighttime experience is not to be missed, as the temple glistens under the lights, creating a calm and serene atmosphere.
Golden Temple at Night
At night, the temple adopts an entirely different ambiance. Life continues in its usual rhythm, with people bathing in the tank, chants resonating from the temple, and visitors strolling around the moat, yet a sense of tranquility prevails.
Experiencing the temple at night is awe-inspiring. The lights reflect on the water, creating a serene scene. Although it feels quieter and more relaxed, life continues seamlessly.
Even the food is consistently served in the dining hall as volunteers rotate in for their shifts.
The Golden Temple of Amritsar is a sanctuary amid the often hectic atmosphere of India. It undoubtedly became our favorite destination in the country, offering a more authentic experience—more of a pilgrimage site than just a tourist attraction.
More Things to See in Amritsar
It’s worthwhile to spend several days in Amritsar to explore attractions beyond the Golden Temple. The temple initially drew us to Punjab, but Amritsar also hosts a famous border ceremony at Wagah Border.
Each evening, the Pakistani and Indian armies put on an elaborate show while closing the border.
Another significant temple within Amritsar is the Durgiana temple, a Hindu establishment sharing architectural similarities with the Golden Temple.
A visit to Hall Bazaar is also essential for shopping in a vibrant Indian market. Conveniently located right next to the train station, it’s impossible to miss when arriving or departing Amritsar.
Though the Golden Temple is undoubtedly the highlight, there are numerous experiences waiting to be discovered in Amritsar.
If you are embarking on the long journey to India, ensure to add the Golden Temple to your itinerary. We treasured our time there even more than visiting the Taj Mahal.
