The Golden Temple Domes
Considered the most spiritual place in all of India, the Golden Temple is a living monument of the Sikh religion. Located in Amritsar, the holy city of the Sikhs, the Golden Temple is a gold-plated building, with precious stones encrusted white marble walls, copper cupolas and decorative floral patterns from Islamic influences. It has a prominent golden dome, and is a sacred place for Sikhs. The Hari Mandir Sahib which translates as the Divine Temple is the most revered spot in the temple complex, it is a kind of sanctuary decorated with gold and marble with verses from the Granth Sahib (the Sikh Holy Book) inscribed on it.
It was built in 1574 and has undergone a couple of renovations since then with additions made. Part of the structure was built with 400 kg of gold leaf, the complex also houses the Central Sikh Museum with ancient weapons used by the Sikh warriors. In the North West corner of the compound, there’s a tree that was planted 450 years ago by Baba Buddha, the first high priest of the temple, the tree is believed to have special powers.
Visitors to the Golden Temple have to cover their heads and take off their shoes before going in. The best time to explore the temple is in the mornings when it is less crowded. However, set aside a couple of hours to experience the place, it has so much to see and it cannot be rushed.
