The Golden Temple in Amritsar Welcomes All

India is dotted with gurudwaras that echo the sound of the melodious Gurbani from the sacred book of Adi Granth. However, a few Sikh religious sites in the country receive as much footfall as the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Located in the city of Amritsar, the Golden Temple was originally known as the Hari Mandir or the Temple of God when it was first constructed in the year 1601.

However, Ahmed Shah Abdali plundered the surrounding town of Ramdas and the temple in 1762 and razed the temple to the ground. When the temple was rebuilt in the year 1764, its domes were plated in gold, thus giving it the name of Swarna Mandir or the Golden Temple. People of all faiths come here to pay their respects and to seek the blessings of Sikh gurus.

The best time to visit the temple is during early morning hours when you can see the sunlight reflecting from the domes, which lend a brilliant golden hue to the temple complex. Do not forget to take a dip in the ancient lake located within the temple complex. Its waters are believed to have magical healing powers and taking a dip in this sacred lake is expected to cleanse the soul and lead it on the path of spiritual enlightenment.