Complimentary Travel Guide to SRI HARMANDIR SAHIB (The Golden Temple Amritsar) www.goldentempleamritsar.org Download Travel Guides at: www.goldentempleamritsar.org/travelguides www.idea-ads.com Online Travel Guide of Yatra Sri Hemkunt Sahib at ... www.hemkunt.in The Golden Temple Amritsar 31°37’11.92”N 74°52’35.44”E Guru Granth Sahib The Golden Temple is carried in a Sri Harmandir Sahib ........................................... 6 Golden Planiquin Daily Routine of Sri Harimandir Sahib ........... 8 to Sri Harmandir Sahib Map of Golden Temple Complex ................... 10 for installation Historical Places ................................................ 10 in the early morning hrs. Jalao (Jewelry Display) ............................18 Guru Ka Langar (Community Kitchen) ........ 19 Akal Takhat ........................................................ 20 Things to Remember ........................................ 21 Accommodation ................................................ 21 Facilities .............................................................. 21 Photos : Satbir Singh, Internet Design : www.idea-ads.com Amritsar Text : Narinderpal Singh Historical Gurdwaras ........................................ 26 Feedback Travel Guide Five Sarovar (Sacred Pools) in Amritsar ....... 27 Help us to keep our information current. Suggestions about this Travel Guide are welcome Tourists Interests ............................................... 28 at: [email protected] or Fairs & Festivals ................................................. 30 +91 - 981 576 2315 Shopping ............................................................. 30 To display your ad in our Travel Guides to Eating Points ...................................................... 31 Important Telephone Numbers ....................... 31 Sri Harmandir Sahib and Hemkund Sahib Yatra Main Trains from Amritsar ............................. 32 Main Nearest Cities & Public Places .............. 32 contact [email protected] or +91-98157 62315 www.idea-ads.com [email protected] +91 - 981 576 2315 • Website Designing, Development • Offset Printing • Web Hosting • Brochure Printing • Search Engine Optimization • Catalogues / Magazines Printing Visit www.hemkunt.in for Sri Hemkunt Sahib Yatra information www.goldentempleamritsar.org/dailyroutine (2) (3) means: “The Mool Mantra” • God is ONE Sri Harmandir Sahib • Thy name is TRUE (The Golden Temple Amritsar) and HE IS • THE CREATOR • FEARLESS armandir: ‘The Abode of God’, After the compilation of the Sikh holy • WITHOUT HATRED HStanding in the centre of the scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib was • TIMELESS • SELF EXISTENT pool of nectar (Amrit Sarovar), is installed in Sri Harmandir Sahib in the the First words of Guru Granth Sahib • MADE KNOWN BY the epicentre of Sikhism. The pool year 1604 by Guru Arjan Dev Ji. The THE GURU of nectar (Amrit Sarovar) was got sanctum sanctorum has four doors on excavated by the 4th Sikh Master Guru all the four directions which signifies Ram Das Ji, and it was brick lined that the place of God worship is open during the times of Guru Ajran Dev to all human beings irrespective of (the 5th Sikh Master). The foundation caste, colour, creed, sex, sect, rich, stone of The Harmandir Sahib was laid poor, whereas the Sanctum is not in by a Muslim saint Hazrat Sai Mian Mir any particular direction. from Lahore in 1589. The building of The day begins at Harmandir Sahib the sanctum sanctorum was completed with singing of Hymns. Guru Granth in the year 1601. During the Gurus time Sahib is brought from Sri Akal it was a simple building made of small Takhat Sahib every early morning for sized bricks called NanakShahi Bricks. installation in Harmandir Sahib and It was beautified by the first Sikh ruler is carried back in the late night hours Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the year 1803- for rest, after the evening prayer to 1830. It is said that at that time nearly Akal Takhat Sahib. In the due time 100 kilograms of gold was utilized and Harmandir is cleaned, washed with due this Gold Work the British named milk and water, sheets are changed this Sikh Temple as Golden Temple. for the next day routine. As soon the From the day one, in Sri Harmandir Guru Granth Sahib is installed in the Sahib either the hymns of Guru sanctum sanctorum, the priest will Granth Sahib are sung or recited, open it at random and read the first no idol, no tomb or human worship hymn. This is called Hukamnama, the is there. order or thought of the day. (4) (5) Online Travel Guide at ... www.goldentempleamritsar.org Online Travel Guide of Yatra Sri Hemkunt Sahib at ... www.hemkunt.in Daily Routine of Sri Harimandir Sahib www.goldentempleamritsar.org/dailyroutine Nanakshahi Month (Sikh Calendar) Chet Vaisakh Jaith Harh Sawan Bhadon Assu Kattak Maggar Poh Magh Phaggan March April May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb English Month April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Kiwad (Portals) Opening Time 2.30 2.15 2.00 2.00 2.15 2.30 2.30 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 2.45 Kirtan at Amrit Vela (Early dawn) 2.30 2.15 2.00 2.00 2.15 2.30 2.30 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 2.45 Asa Di War 3.30 3.15 3.00 3.00 3.15 3.30 3.30 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 3.45 Departure of Palki Sahib from Sri Akal Takhat Sahib 4.30 4.15 4.00 4.00 4.15 4.30 4.30 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 4.45 First Hukamnama 5.00 4.45 4.30 4.30 4.45 5.00 5.00 5.30 5.30 5.30 5.30 5.15 First Ardas 5.30 5.15 5.00 5.00 5.15 5.30 5.30 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 5.45 Second Ardas & Hukamnama 6.30-6.45 6.30 6.15 6.15 6.30 6.45 6.45 7.15 7.15 7.15 7.15 6.45- 7.00 Holy reading of Rehras Sahib starts at sunset. Hukamnama at night 21.45 22.15 22.30 22.30 22.15 22.15 22.00 21.30 21.30 21.30 21.30 21.45 Departure of Palki Sahib from Sri Harimandir Sahib 22.00 22.30 22.45 22.45 22.30 22.45 22.15 21.45 21.45 21.45 21.45 22.00 There is a continuous singing of Sahib (palanquin) carrying Sri Guru and devotional tones. After purifying distributed among the devotees. Gurbani Kirtan (hymns) at Sri Granth Sahib to The Akal Takhat the precincts, the rugs are spread, At Sri Akal Takhat, after the Rehras Harimandir Sahib from the opening Sahib, the devotees, accompanied on which the Peera Sahib (a small (Evening Scripture) the weapons of its portals (doors) to their closing. by the Gurdwara staff, clean the cot) is placed to install the Sri Guru belonging to Guru Sahib (Sikh Some minor changes are effected Sri Harimandir Sahib for one hour. Granth Sahib in the early morning. Masters) and Martyr Sikhs are in the summer and winter months. During this process these devotees At the completion of the Ardas (Sikh displayed at about 8.00 p.m. After the departure of the Palki sing the Gurbani Kirtan in melodious Prayer), Karah Prasad (holy offering) is A rare old picture of Golden Temple www.goldentempleamritsar.org/oldPhotos (6) (7) Online Travel Guide at ... www.goldentempleamritsar.org Map of Golden Temple Complex The red signs represent the www.goldentempleamritsar.org/find accommodations (Page 21) The black signs show the various places described below: Canopy supporters covered with Historical Places silver of Maharaja Ranjit Singh times, in Golden Temple Complex musical instruments like Saranda of www.goldentempleamritsar.org/placestovisit Late Baba Sham Singh (Hymn Singer in The Golden Temple) are preserved 1. INFORMATION OFFICE on the philosophy of Guru Nanak, in the museum. The museum has been divided www.goldentempleamritsar.org/info Guru Granth Sahib, the Importance of Hair in Sikh Religion, and the Sikh according to the Sikh History. In Next to the main entrance on clock Code of Conduct. the very first hall, the life and style tower side, this office is being managed of Sikh Gurus, Hindu and Muslim by S.G.P.C. (The Management 2. CENTRAL SIKH MUSEUM: comb (Kangha) of Guru Gobind Singh, Saints has been described through Committee of Golden Temple). It www.goldentempleamritsar.org/csm Arrows and Bow, Iron Chakras (circles) portraits. The second room shows the provides free information regarding This museum was established in the to be worn on the turban by Sikh travels (Udasis) of Guru Nanak and Golden Temple and Sikh Religion. early 1960’s. The great Sikh artist’s work warriors and Sanjoe (an iron jacket some photos of rare art work on the It also provides Guided tours and and rare pencil sketches by Princess made of wires), Canons and Guns walls of Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai. The Complimentary informative brochures Baamba add to its glory. The wooden pertaining to Sikh Empire, Wooden next is followed by the Sikh Struggle (8) (9) Online Travel Guide at ... www.goldentempleamritsar.org Online Travel Guide of Yatra Sri Hemkunt Sahib at ... www.hemkunt.in period after 1708. Portraits of the Sikh Beri is the place known as Ath Sath Martyrs (Bhai Mani Singh, Bhai Taru Tirath, signifies that any one taking Singh, Bhai Dyala, Bhai Mati Dass), a dip here with devotion will have the prices for the heads of Sikhs being benefit of visit to 68 holy places. paid. Takes one to the Sikh Empire and The marble palanquin on the raise after independence struggle of Punjabi platform, is the place where small Speaking state, Sikh-Nirankari Kand pothis (manuscripts) of Gurbani were (Clash), Operation Blue Star period. kept after they were obtained from the The portraits of Sikh scholars, religious, families of Gurus. These pothis (holy social and political personalities are books) were brought to Amritsar for also displayed. Some hand written, compilation of Adi Granth (Sri Guru ancient holy books are also preserved Granth) Sahib by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.