The calming melody of ‘Ik Omkar’ reverberates through the air and the innocent devotion of thousands of devotees reflects on their faces – the Golden Temple in Amritsar is one of the holiest sites in Sikhism. Officially called Sri Harmandir Sahib, the temple attracts lakhs of devotees each year from all across the world. If you are planning to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar and need a comprehensive guide, you must keep reading this article.
Golden Temple Amritsar Guide For First-Time Visitors
History Of Golden Temple Amritsar And Best Time To Visit
The Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib was built by Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru, in 1604 CE. He envisioned a place of worship for the Sikhs that is open not only to the Sikh community but everyone irrespective of their caste, creed, or religion. To symbolize that, he built the temple on a lower level and with entrances on all four sides, symbolizing humility, love, and acceptance.
The temple facade was destroyed multiple times by Afghan invaders but was always rebuilt. It was Maharaja Ranjit Singh who had the temple rebuilt with marble and covered in gold foil, which is why the Harmandir Sahib is also known as the ‘Golden Temple’.
There is no best time to visit the Golden Temple as it is open to the public throughout the year. However, the winter months of November to February are ideal as they provide cooler daytime temperatures and pleasant weather in general.
You can also visit the temple during the time of Guru Nanak Jayanti (usually in November) or Baisakhi (mid-March or April). During these two important occasions, expect larger crowds than usual; however, it is also the time when you can witness grand celebrations at the temple.
What To Do Inside The Golden Temple?
Entering the temple
The Golden Temple has no entry fee and is open to all, just like most places of worship. You remove the shoes (just like how you do at most Indian temples, monasteries, and mosques), wash your hands and feet, and cover your head when you enter the temple. The guards and volunteers can help you with covering your head, and it is mandatory for both men and women.
Do not carry items like tobacco, alcohol, sharp objects, chewing gum, or other harmful objects with you inside the temple.
What to wear?
We advise wearing decent, modest clothing that is not too revealing. The temple makes it mandatory to cover your head, shoulders, and knees, so carry a head scarf and wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
Both men and women can opt for traditional or Indo-western outfits like kurta + pants, a tshirt/shirt + pants combo, and women can also wear other traditional outfits like salwar-kameez and saree. If you don’t have materials to cover your head, you will be provided with a head scarf at the temple.
Holy dip, kirtans, and langar volunteering
You can take a dip in the designated area of the large pool of water surrounding the Golden Temple building. This lake is believed to purify and cleanse your soul and lends its name to the city, where Amritsar translates to a ‘lake of holy Amrit (divine nectar)’.
You can then enter the temple, offer prayers, and seek blessings. There are early morning prayers as well as a number of kirtans held almost daily. You can sit in the temple premises, chanting the name of Guru Nanak, and immerse yourself in the devotional songs.
The temple is home to a large community kitchen where hundreds of devotees volunteer every day to make free meals (langar) for all devotees visiting the temple. The Langar Hall is free to enter and open for all, and is open all the time.
Things To Keep In Mind To Have A Great Experience At The Golden Temple
- Visit the temple at around 9 to 11 pm to witness the ‘Sukhasan Sahib’, a ritual in which the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism, is carried in a grand palanquin around the temple and laid to ‘sleep’ on the first floor of the Akal Takht. A similar ritual called ‘Prakash’ takes place before dawn, usually by 2 to 3 am where the book is carried back down, ceremoniously opened and read. Timings for both Sukhasan and Prakash may vary depending on the season, so make sure you check before you visit.
- You can also visit the small Central Sikh Museum within the Harmandir Sahib premises. It has information about the formation of Sikhism and its founding fathers.
- You can also walk around the Holy Lake in a clock-wise direction on the marble walkway. Called the ‘Parikrama’, it is considered to be a significant spiritual act.
- There is no mandatory dress code for Golden Temple visitors but the temple authority asserts that devotees cover their heads, shoulders, and knees. We recommend opting for more modest and traditional attire as it is a place of worship.
- Do not carry objectionable items inside the temple premises. Co-operate with the authorities and volunteers during frisking. Also, do not take pictures and videos where it has been clearly mentioned.
- While the langar meals are open to all and free of charge, you can make donations out of goodwill and generosity. You can also volunteer in the community kitchen – it is a rewarding experience you must not miss out on when you’re here.
Also Read: Malaysia And Thailand Lead Visa-Free Travel Choices For Indians, As Per Agoda Reports
How To Reach The Golden Temple?
By Air
The Amritsar Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport is the closest airport to the Harmandir Sahib. It is about 13 km away from the airport, and you can easily find cabs and buses to reach the temple. The airport enjoys decent connectivity with major Indian and international destinations.
By Rail
The Amritsar Junction serves as the city’s most important railway station, connecting it with other major cities and regions in India. From the railway station, you can find buses, rickshaws, and cabs that will take you to the temple directly. The distance between the station and the temple is about 2.5 km.
By Road
Amritsar is one of the most prominent cities in Punjab as well as North India, enjoying excellent road connectivity to other cities like Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, etc. There are daily buses from these cities to Amritsar. Additionally, cabs and rickshaws are easy to find within the city to take you to the temple.
Also Read: Punjab To Get New Vande Bharat Express; Rail Connectivity Set To Upgrade
Summing Up
The Golden Temple in Amritsar is a holy site in Sikhism and attracts millions of devotees each year. With crowds pulling up in large numbers, particularly during Baisakhi and Guru Nanak Jayanti, the temple is a radiant symbol of Sikh spirituality and devotion. When are you planning to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar?
