The Harmandir Sahib, also known as Darbar Sahib, is a Gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India. It is the preeminent pilgrimage site of Sikhism. It is usually called the Golden Temple in English, because it is plated with gold.
In December 1588, the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan initiated the construction of the gurdwara and the foundation stone was laid by Muslim saint Mian Mir on 28 December 1588. Guru Arjan, designed Sri Harmandir Sahib to be built in the center of this holy tank, and upon its construction, installed the Adi Granth, the holy scripture of Sikhism, inside the Harmandir Sahib. The gurdwara was completed in 1604. The present-day gurdwara was rebuilt in 1764 by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia with the help of other Sikh Misls.
During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), the Golden Temple was richly ornamented with marble sculptures, golden gilding, and large quantities of precious stones. Floating at the end of a long causeway, the Golden Temple itself is a mesmerising blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, with an elegant marble lower level adorned with flower and animal motifs in pietra dura work. Above this rises a shimmering second level, encased in intricately engraved gold panels, and topped by a dome gilded with 750 kilograms (1653 pounds) of gold.
The main hall of the Golden Temple houses the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of the Sikh religion. It is placed on a raised platform under a canopy studded with precious jewels. This scripture is a collection of devotional poems, prayers, and hymns composed by the ten Sikh gurus and various Muslim and Hindu saints.
The largest langar is found at the Golden Temple. It typically feeds roughly 40,000 people a day for free. On religious holidays and weekends, the langar can feed upwards of 100,000 people a day. This incredible feat is made possible through donations and volunteers.
All the diners have to sit on the floor, irrespective of caste, status, wealth or creed, symbolizing the central Sikh doctrine of the equality of all people.
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