We all have a desire to go on a pilgrimage at least once in our lifetime and if that pilgrimage is amalgamated with unforgettable tourism experience, then nothing like it. A visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar is one such fascinating experience. The best way to do so is to avail a golden temple amritsar package that can give you a comprehensive tour of the gurudwara and the city – without much hassle. Here is a bit of read-up on the place before you go there:
All about the Golden Temple, Amritsar-
History of the Gurudwara:
The idea of it began in the year 1570 when the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amardas, planned to excavate a holy tank and eventually build a town around this. Taking this further, the fifth Sikh Guru – Guru Arjan Singh, initiated to build a special place of worship which would be the central worship area. The construction for this began in the year 1588. But the gurudwara beautification with the famed gold plating was done by Maharaja Ranjit Sing in the year 1830.
About the Gurudwara:
This gurudwara, also called the Harmandir Sahib or Sri Darbar Sahib, has four entrances. Anyone coming to the temple washes his hands and face with this holy water which cures many ailments. The three-story structure has ornamentation of gold and precious stones and is a sight to behold in itself. The focal point of worship is the Guru Granth Sahib which is a sacred scripture of the Sikhs. Visitors coming to the gurudwara pay their respect to Guru Granth Sahib.
Community Kitchen:
One of the main attractions of the golden temple is the community kitchen – also known as the ‘Guru Ka Langar’ which is one of the largest community kitchens in the world. Every day volunteers cook and serve food to almost 100,000 pilgrims free of cost. Pilgrims need to sit together, irrespective of religion or caste, in the adjoining dining area and eat their food with total devotion.
Temple Ritual:
Every day, during the early dawn hours, designated people carry the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ and keep inside the Harmandir Sahib and around 10:30 pm every day designated people take from the Gurudwara to the Akal Takht in a golden palanquin for resting. Devotees need to deposit their luggage and shoes at the entrance. They need to wash their feet before entering the main hall of the gurudwara. Also, both men and women need t keep their heads covered.
Visiting the temple becomes easier if you have the golden temple darshan package which will make the visit hassle-free. Visiting this marvelous piece of cultural heritage and pilgrimage spot is a beautiful opportunity. It is not just about the beauty of the temple but also about how communal harmony can be celebrated. If you are looking for a perfect amritsar golden temple tour package then choose My Tirth India. The company offers the best-curated packages at very affordable rates.