History of Golden Temple, Amristar
Guru Arjan Sahib, the fifth Nanak, conceived the idea
of creating a central place of worship for the Sikhs
and he himself designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir
Sahib. Earlier the planning to excavate the holy tank
(Amritsar or Amrit Sarovar ) was chalked out by Guru
Amardas Sahib, the Third Nanak, but it was executed
by Guru Ramdas Sahib under the supervision of Baba
Budha ji. The Harmandir Sahib, or the sanctum sanatorium,
was conceived by Guru Arjan Dev to reflect the resoluteness,
clarity and simplicity of the Sikh religion. The Harmindir
Sahib today stands as the hallowed symbol of the indestructability
of the Sikh faith.
It's Framework
Sri Harmandir Sahib, is built on a 67ft. square platform
in the center of the Sarovar (tank). It has a door
each on the East, West, North and South. The darshani
deori (an arch) stands at the shore end of the causeway.
The door panes are decorated with artistic style.
It opens on to the causeway or bridge that leads to
the main building of Sri Harmandir Sahib. The bridge
is connected with the 13 feet wide 'Pardakshna' (circumambulatory
path). It runs round the main shrine and it leads
to the 'Har ki Paure' (steps of God). On the first
floor of 'Har ki Paure', there is continuous reading
of Guru Granth Sahib.
Its Architecture
Its architecture represents a unique harmony between
the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction work
and this is considered the best architectural specimens
of the world. It is often quoted that this architecture
has created an independent Sikh school of architecture
in the history of art in India.
