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You are here : Home >> Photo Gallery>>Punjab >> Golden Temple New

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Now Showing: States of India / Punjab / Golden Temple New    [Viewed 5124 times]
Helicopter view of the Golden Temple. This pic is found in many shops. Extreme right is east side entrance. Walk clockwise to see the watchtower on south side. Just outside watchtower is a ancient Shiv temple. Extreme left of pic is Akal Takht. In front of it two saffron flags are Nishan Sahib. Top centre tower is northern entrance. In the centre is Golden Temple. Most people enter from the eastern or northern entrances. Sikh Museum is on first floor, entrance north side tower. In the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama is this board. He gold plated the temple after which it came to be known as Golden Temple although its earlier name was Hari Mandir. Why Hari? Khushwant Singh wrote that of the 15,028 times the name of God appears in the Adi Granth, Hari occurs over 8,000 times. That might be the reason why it was named Hari Mandir. Ranjit Singh also donated gold for the Kashi Vishwanath Mandir and temple at Jwalamukhi in Himachal Pradesh. The temple is in Amritsar that literally means The Tank of Nectar. This visit was also special since my fathers name is Amrit. We present pics in two parts. Start with parikrama or circumabulation of the temple. You also see taking of the Guru Granth Sahib from temple to Akal Takht at night and in morning. Two captures the temple complex at various times of day and night. You see entrance with temple in the centre. Like all temples main entrance is from the eastern side. As I was about to walk into the temple saw these men in warrior dress. We have analysed their dress and arms later. Second person left to right took some convincing to be clicked.
A horizontal view of the temple entrance with Golden Temple in the centre. On left of entrance is the Langar or community kitchen. You see east side of Hari Mandir with amrit sarovar or holy tank in front. Pic taken about 8am. Left of pic is a huge Dish Antenna, required since proceedings are telecast live through satellite TV. This pic gives you a first view of the temple complex as soon as you enter. A 38 feet wide promenade that you see in front runs around the holy tank. Before that one can take a dip in the holy tank. Board that you see on left is Tharha Sahib about which will read about later. This is Dukh Bhanji Sahib. Maximum number of devotees take a dip here although some do on the right of the tree as well. In Indian tradition devotees take a bath before going to sanctum for darshan. This is the holy place where after having a holy dip Bibi Rajnis crippled husband became healthy again.
Board of Dukh Bhanji Sahib. Due to constant flow of devotees walking the pic has reflection. Guru Ram Das told Bibi Rajni that her selfless service, determination and power of the holy place helped her crippled husband become healthy. Hence he named it Dukh Bhanji Sahib. Devotees taking the holy dip, some praying. There are steps that lead to the waters of the holy tank. The Steps are called Har-ki-Pauri. Excavation of Sarovar was started by Guru Ram Das in 1574, stopped in 1575 after his death and completed in 1589 during Guru Arjun time. Left of pic see devotee drinking the holy water. In centre devotee sweeping the floor. I truly admire devotees doing sewa or service in the temple. Hope devotees in all temples follow their example. Pic taken about 9pm. Left of temple entrance is Tharha Sahib. Guru Ram Dass and Guru Arjun used to sit here and supervise construction of the holy tank. Guru Arjun Dev said that places graced by sants become equivalent to combined piligramage of 68 holy places hence the name Athsath Tirath or 68 in one holy place. Guru Arjun was executed by Mughal king Jahangir for helping his rebellious son Khusrav with money.
There is a raised platform which represents the sacred place. Devotees place roses and offer prayers here as you see. A view of the Hari Mandir through the arch. The foundation of the Mandir was laid in January 1589, completed in 1604 and Guru Granth Sahib was installed in Aug-Sept 1604. Baba Budha was appointed as the first Granthi or reader of the Granth Sahib. We start the temple virtual tour clockwise from entrance. View from south eastern corner at 7.15am. Centre is sanctum. Left is Akal Takht Sahib. Right is clock tower northern entrance. White strip that you see in front appears to be a railing beyond which devotees cannot cross. A closer view. Left to right is Akal Takht, causeway connecting to the sanctum. At start of causeway is a fine arch called Darshini Darwaza. Left hand side tree that you see is Lachi Ber.
A close up view of the sanctum and clock tower. Pic taken at 5pm - u can see the evening sun rays on the western side of the temple. A number of devotees enter from this north side tower because it is closest to the main market road. There is a room where you can leave your bags in safe custody. Just there devotees serve tea, breakfast to all. This is a board on south eastern side, a story of immense bravery which is why devotees pay their respects to Baba Deep Singh. Briefly he was head of 1 of the 12 Misls or Association of Warriors. He was told that Muslims had disgraced the Hari Mandir. At the age of 76 he set out to fight. In the battle his head was cut off. He supported his chopped head with his left hand (shown in pic) and killed enemies with the right. Thus fighting he reached the Hari Mandir. His vow fulfilled he left for his eternal abode. This Gurudwara is a tribute to him. Walk ahead is the south side tower. Climb steps and walk down into a well maintained garden. On your left is a prachin (ancient) Shiv Mandir. Can someone please help with details of history of temple.

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[4] Comment(s) Posted
  1. Comment By - Ramachander Homma Ramanna Date - 02 Jun 2012 Time - 4:02PM

  2. It`s like dream come true. I had a long standing wish to see the golden temple and i couldn`t. Now,in the twilight of my life I am able to see the whole panorama of the Golden Temple, thanks to shri.Sanjeev.God Bless You you.

  3. Comment By - Asmita Parashar Date - 24 May 2012 Time - 10:08AM

  4. Absolutely stunning pics! You should compile a book Sanjeev!...Asmita P

  5. Comment By - Parthapratim Ray Date - 19 May 2012 Time - 8:11PM

  6. very informative pictures for those who cannot travel so much.Parthapratim Ray

  7. Comment By - Parthapratim Ray Date - 19 May 2012 Time - 8:09PM

  8. Very good pics.very Informative too. Parthapratim Ray


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