Golden Temple is the most important spiritual temple in Sikhism. Also known as Durbar Sahib, is a gurdwara in Amritsar, Punjab, India. It is the most important spiritual place for global Sikh communities. The Golden Temple is the pinnacle of a complex of monuments that represent the spiritual centre of Sikhism. The temple beautiful structure is surrounded a pool also referred to as the Amrita Saras (Pool of Nectar), with marble walkway that extends across the water of the pool.

History of Golden Temple

Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh guru, constructed the Golden Temple in the 16th century. The Mughal Empire repeatedly destroyed the temple, and the Sikhs restored it each time. The upper floors of the gurdwara were coated in gold during the early 19th century, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh protected the Punjab region from outside attack and gave it its distinctive appearance and English name. Between 1883 and the 1920s, it was a Centre of the Singh Sabha Movement, and between 1947 and 1966, it was a Centre of the Punjabi Suba Movement.

The Gurdwara became a flashpoint in the early 1980s between the Indian government and a movement led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. After an attack in the 1760s, the temple had to be completely reconstructed. In the early nineteenth century, 100 kg of gold was applied to the inverted lotus-shaped dome, and ornate marble was added.

The architecture of this temple is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles, and Wagah Border is a must-see tourist destination in Punjab. It is the sole road border crossing between India and Pakistan and is around 30 kilometers from the Golden Temple.