Golden Temple

Religious

Punjab

15°C / Mist

History
Places to visit
How to reach

The Golden Temple is an epitome of peace, blessings, and the power of religion. People from all around the world come to Punjab to visit this holy place, calm their souls, and take as much positivity as possible. Golden Temple in Amritsar is also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib which means the abode of God. It is a holy Gurudwara which is the biggest pilgrimage site for Sikhs in the country.

The months from November to March are the best time to visit Amritsar, Punjab as the weather is quite pleasant and amazingly charming to explore various sights. Visiting in summer is not a great idea because the temperature can rise up to 45-degree Celcius in the state.

History of Golden Temple

There are many folk stories related to the construction of Golden Temple. The gurudwara was built by Guru Ram Das in 1577 around a man-made pool. It was modified and maintained over the years under different rulers. In the 19th century under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the dome of the Golden temple was laid with 100kgs of gold and marble. The Hindu architecture of the Golden temple is another major highlight.

The temple came to limelight in 1984 during operation Blue Star for terrorrists. The gurudwara was attacked by terrorrists. During the operation, the temple was damaged and the Sikh community refused aid for repair and maintenance and undertook the repair work on its own. Even after this unfortunate incident the popularity of this holy place never sank and it only rose in prominence and stature.

Major Attractions in and Around the Golden Temple

1. Guru Ke Mahal

This place carries a very significant spiritual charm. Housing the Granth Sahib, this place was founded by Guru Ram Das in the year 1573. Earlier, it was just a little cottage that became a shelter of the great gurus of the Sikhs.

2. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum

A summer palace turned into a museum, this place carries a subtle yet quite powerful vibration. Every year a great number of tourists visit the place to witness the royal heritage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

3. Akal Takht

Akal Takht is one of the five takhts at Harminder Sahid Gurudwara which offers a tremendous spiritual vibe to the people visiting. It was founded by Guru Hargobind in the year 1606. It is located in front of the very causeway which leads to Golden Temple, Amritsar.

4. Gobindgarh Fort

The Gobindgarh Fort represents the glorious past of Punjab, its people, it’s culture and so many other great things. And thus, it becomes all the more interesting to visit this place, especially with your family and friends. This 18th century built fort is known to be the place where the famous Kohinoor diamond stayed for a significant period under the custody of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

5. Mata Lal Devi Temple

This place is also known as the “Sheesh Mahal of Amritsar”. The temple is dedicated to a 20th-century female saint named Lal Devi. As believed by the locals, the temple has miraculous powers. People from the surrounding villages arrive here to pray for the well being of their loved ones.

6. Sun City Water Park

Sun City Water Park is one of the best places to visit with your loved ones. The park has several fun water rides, swimming pools, roller coaster rides, and games for adults and kids. Locals and tourists arrive here to enjoy the rides and savour the delicious local and fast food at the food court.

How to Reach Golden Temple

Golden Temple is the epitome of spirituality and religious fervour. To witness this applause-worthy attraction, you will need to cover a total distance of about 454, 1,740, 1,978, 2,630 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Check out the following details on how you can reach the Golden Temple by the following means of public transport.

By Air

Travelling by air to Punjab is quite convenient due to the availability of several airports around the temple. Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport aka Amritsar Airport (ATQ) in Amritsar which is the nearest aerodrome situated 15 km away. It is considered to be the largest as well as the busiest airports in Punjab. In 2019, it was ranked as the 6th best regional airport. Once you deboard the flight, you will have to take a taxi or a bus to reach your desired destination.

By Train

Punjab is well connected via train routes. There are around 90 railway stations in different districts of Punjab which make it more convenient for the travellers arriving from other cities to reach the state. Amritsar Junction (ASR) is the nearest to reach the temple and is considered to be the largest and busiest railway stations of Punjab. From the railway station, one can take a taxi or a bus to travel to the city.

From Ludhiana - Board Jan Shatabadi Spl from Ludhiana Junction and deboard at Amritsar Junction
From Delhi - Board SACHKHAND SPL from Nizamuddin Station and deboard at Amritsar Junction
From Agra - Board SACHKHAND SPL from Agra Cannt and deboard at Amritsar Junction

By Road

Travelling to Punjab via road can be one of the best experiences, as you may get to witness the farms along the national highways and also savour the authentic local food at the roadside dhabas. From the nearby cities and towns, you can easily book buses via private operators, or board a state-run bus. You can also consider travelling via cab or if suitable, self-drive your own vehicle.