The Golden Temple • the Temple Stands in Amritsar, the Holy City Of

Year 8 Home Learning. Task 3. Pilgrimage in Sikhism – The Golden Temple • The temple stands in Amritsar, the holy city of the Sikhs • The Golden Temple also known as Harmandir Sahib ("God's Temple") was completed in 1604 and rebuilt again in the 19th century. • It is the most famous and sacred Sikh temple in the world. • Sikhs pay their respect and worship for the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book) How did this site become known as The Golden Temple? • Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru, designed the original and first gurdwara (in 1604). This was destroyed during the eighteenth century. In the early 19th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the temple rebuilt and covered the upper part of the building with gold. This is why it is referred to as the Golden Temple. • The Golden Temple is significant because the Sikhs’ holy book is found within the temple which was completed in 1604. Later on, Guru Gobind Singh added to the holy book. A copy of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book) now rests on a throne beneath a velvet canopy decorated with silver and gold thread. • The holy book is read out continuously, with each complete reading of the entire Granth taking 48 hours. Sikhs visit the Golden Temple to hear the reading. If you can get online, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFcVND3dQlg and write down 10 interesting facts about The Golden Temple 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10. Task: Complete this grid using the information you have found out about The Golden Temple Task: Write the answers to these questions in full sentences. Use the help grid at the bottom of the page to help you if you need it. Task: 1. Read the different arguments for and against the statement “Pilgrimage to Amritsar should not be a priority for Sikhs” 2. Colour code the arguments into for and against For Against “Pilgrimage to Amritsar should not be a priority for Sikhs” Separate them into two categories, those for and those against the statement Going on a pilgrimage to Amritsar allows a devotee to The money spent going on pilgrimage would be better Amritsar is one of the holiest cities on earth for Sikhs. bathe in the ‘pool of nectar’ and doing so will take away spent on helping others. This in turn would gain spiritual Attending the Harmandir, a symbol of the Maharaja’s sins. This leaves a devotee feeling spiritually refreshed. benefit for the devotee through the accumulation of patronage during times of conflict, allows Sikhs to good karma. Acts of kindness (sewa) to others should be connect with their ancestors’ fight and show the priority. gratitude to the Maharaja. Amritsar, while a symbol of the Maharaja’s patronage, is Attending the Harmandir allows Sikhs to partake in the The Harmandir at Amritsar is a symbol of the not as important as Anandpur where the Panj Piaras ultimate acts of humility; walking down the steps to the rejection of the Hindu caste system and a symbol of (and khalsa) was formed. It would be much more level of the Harmandir shows that gurmukh is attained equality. The four gates represent the rejection of the beneficial to a Sikh to trace the steps of those who were through submission to God and through humility or four castes and offer an invitation to all travellers willing to die for their faith. sewa at the langar. from every direction. Granthis are at the local gurdwara to guide Sikhs through Going on pilgrimage to any site of sacred significance Although kirtan is performed throughout the day, and communal worship and to help translate sacred texts. allows a devotee to join others from their community in would be worth seeing, it could also be performed in This will allow the devotee to connect with God and use communal worship. It also gives a devotee time away the local gurdwara without the distractions of the money saved for another purpose, e.g. charity. from their busy lives to reflect on spiritual growth. tourists and pilgrims around you. 3. Now, using all the information gathered write up your answer to the statement “Pilgrimage to Amritsar should not be a priority for Sikhs” using the statement stems below: One reason why some people think that going to Amritsar should be a priority for Sikhs is… Another reason why travelling to Amritsar is important to Sikhs is… However, others may disagree and say that a pilgrimage to Amritsar isn’t important because… Furthermore, some would argue that… Having considered all the evidence, I believe…because… .

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