Apart from its religious significance, the Golden temple is known for its architectural beauty as well. It is a perfect blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture. Built on a raised platform, the temple is surrounded by the Amrit Sarovar (the holy tank). There are four entrances to the temple that welcome visitors irrespective of their caste and creed. The beauty of its interior is jaw-dropping with exquisite floral patterns carved on metal and unique filigree work on the walls and ceilings. The pool is surrounded by a circulatory path made of marble on which devotees walk in a clockwise direction. At one end of the causeway stands the big arch called the Darshani Deorhi which has a height of 6.2 m. The doors of this arch, inscribed with verses from the holy Granth, open to the path, which further leads to the sanctum.

The sanctum which stands on a marble platform is 12.25 x12.25 meter square and has two floors. Encircled by the Amrit Sarovar, which is around 5 meters deep, the ... More

Apart from its religious significance, the Golden temple is known for its architectural beauty as well. It is a perfect blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture. Built on a raised platform, the temple is surrounded by the Amrit Sarovar (the holy tank). There are four entrances to the temple that welcome visitors irrespective of their caste and creed. The beauty of its interior is jaw-dropping with exquisite floral patterns carved on metal and unique filigree work on the walls and ceilings. The pool is surrounded by a circulatory path made of marble on which devotees walk in a clockwise direction. At one end of the causeway stands the big arch called the Darshani Deorhi which has a height of 6.2 m. The doors of this arch, inscribed with verses from the holy Granth, open to the path, which further leads to the sanctum.

The sanctum which stands on a marble platform is 12.25 x12.25 meter square and has two floors. Encircled by the Amrit Sarovar, which is around 5 meters deep, the sanctum appears to be floating on the waters and is truly a feast for the eyes The central part of the complex is the Harmandir, the sanctum which has two floors. The lower level is the seat of Guru Granth, where the main ceremony happens. This part is lined with marble where the Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Scripture, is placed. It stays there for 20 hours and later ceremoniously carried to the Akal Takht. The upper part is a gallery connected by stairs. The doors are well decorated with nature motifs which add to its beauty. The second floor is called Shish Mahal or the mirror room from where the ground floor can be viewed. The structure of the gold plated dome that covers the sanctum resembles an inverted lotus and is studded with precious stones.

The Sikh gurus were fond of Jujube trees, and most of the Gurudwaras are dotted with these historic trees. There are three Ber trees in the temple complex, and each represents a saint or an event related to Sikhism. The first one among them is Ber Baba Budha Sahib which is 440 years old. It is believed that the head priest of Harmandir Sahib, Baba Budha Ji sat beneath the tree to oversee the ongoing work of the holy tank. The second one is ‘Laachi Ber’ which stands on the right side of the big arch and was the seat of Guru Arjan Sahib Ji, from where he supervised the construction of the temple. The last one is Dukh Bhanjani, and it is exactly the very spot where a Sikh boy was cured of his leprosy after a dip in the holy waters of the Sarovar.