THE GOLDEN TEMPLE - AMRISTAR [INDIA]

THE GOLDEN TEMPLE  - AMRISTAR [INDIA]

The Golden Temple or The Harmandir Sahib is a prominent Sikh GURDAWA -  the place of worship for Sikhs -  located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India.

Its consctruction started in December 1585 AD by Guru Ram Das and completed in August 1604 AD by Guru Arjan Dev. The present day Golden Temple was rebuilt in 1764 by Maharaja Jassa Singh Ahluwalia.

Its construction was mainly intended to build a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religions to come and worship God equally.

One of the most important festivals is "Vaisakhi", which is celebrated in the second week of April (usually the 13th); Other important Sikh religious days such as the martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur, the birthday of Guru Nanak.

Diwali is one of the festivals which sees the Harmandir Sahib beautifully illuminated with Divas/Diyas (lamps); lights and fireworks are discharged.

Most Sikh people visit Amritsar and the Harmandir Sahib at least once during their lifetime, and during special occasions in their life such as birthdays, marriages, childbirth.