Golden Temple

The year 1999 is celebrated all over the world as the tercentenary year of the creation of the Khalsa. The issue in hand of the Punjab past & present journal is a humble tribute to the tenth master. Harmandir Sahib has always remained the source of inspiration and strength for the Sikh community. Throughout the history this holiest of the holy of Sikh shrines had remained the nucleus of Sikh life and faith. It is an integrated complex crystallizing the principle of equality and unity espoused by the panth. Darbar Sahib has served as the principle place of inspiration direction and rallying centre of the Sikhs. It became the chief centre of Sikh inspiration and carried the message of Sikhism far and wide. It is virtually a paradise for those who are interested in transcendental realities of life or the profound truth of human existence. Even during the darkest period of the community when the Sikhs were driven form their holy city and forced to live in the jungles as hunted men with prices on their heads nothing could dim their determination to liberate the golden temple and return to Amritsar.

The fourth Sikh Guru founded the city of Ramdaspur in 1577 A.D. Ramdaspur is now called Amritsar. The construction of the Harmandir popularly called Darbar Sahib most sacred of the Sikh shrines was first completed in 1589 during the pontificate of guru Arjan the fifth Sikh Guru. Guru’s idea to built the place of worship in the middle of the amrit sarovar was in itself and marvelous.

The present structure of the Golden Temple is the result of strenuous efforts undertaken at different times by different persons. Credit for rebuilding of the temple goes to Sikh Sardars of Misl period and particularly to Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia who raised the exquisite building on the site where the original former building was demolished by Ahmad Shah Durrani. Maharaja Ranjit Singh his son Maharaja Kharak Singh and his grandson Kanwar Nao Nihal Singh added to the beauty with exquisite work in gold. Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reverence to this holy place is explicated from the often visits to the place to pay the homage. Due to the adornment of Harmandir he will be remembered by the posterity to come.

The present volume includes number of research papers and articles by the leading authorities pertaining to the subject. These articles throw light on different aspects of this holy shrine i.e. historical, aesthetic, spiritual, artistic architectural etc. these articles are humble attempts to visualize the glory and magnificence and may be lacking in number of ways to truly comprehenced this abode of God.

We deem it our privilege to record our sense of indebtedness to our worthy vice-Chancellor Prof. J.S. Puar for the help and guidance in the preparation of this volume without whose personal interest the publication of this volume would not have materialized.

Our thanks are also due to Prof. D.N. Pannigrahi for his valuable suggestions regarding edition of the articles Dr. Hazara Singh, Technical Advisor publication Bureau needs special thanks for the early printing execution and presentation of this prestigious publication.