Facts your must know about Golden Temple

A symbol of brotherhood, equality and glory of the Sikhs, the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar welcomes thousands of devotees from all walks of life each day.

Designed by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji in the late 16th century, the Golden Temple has witnessed the history unfold and stood tall for more than four centuries now.

1.Golden Temple:

The Harmandir Sahib, also Darbar Sahib and informally   referred to as the "Golden Temple", is the holiest Sikh gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India. The city was founded in 1574 by the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das.

2. Foundation Of The Golden Temple Was Laid Down By A        Muslim Saint

Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru in 1588 planned to build a temple in the centre in Amritsar which would be open to people of all castes, crimes and climes; thus he invited his friend and great contemporary mystic and Muslim savant, Mir Mohammed Muayyinul Islam, popularly known as Mian Mir, to lay the foundation stone of the temple. The tension between Hindus and Muslims in the 11th century was evident and the Sikh prophets desired to level down these barriers with a view to discover and provide a common spiritual ground for the two.

3. Temple Is Made Of Marble But Plated With Real Gold

The gurudwara is constructed with white marble overlaid with genuine gold leaf. In the early 19th century, 100kg of gold were applied to the inverted lotus-shaped dome and decorative marble was added to the structure.

4. Pool Surrounding The Golden Temple Is Known As Amrit Sarovar

The water surrounding the temple is a sacred pool known as the Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar). The devotees who visit these shrines will bathe in these pools as Sikhs believe that spiritual and worldly benefits are gained by immersing in the holy waters of these sarovars. Legend has it that a dip in the holy water of the Sarovar surrounding the temple can cure people of many ailments. It is said that once a leper took a dip in the holy water and got cured of his leprosy.

5. Around One Lakh People Are Fed For Free Everyday

The largest langar of all gurudwaras is organised everyday at the Golden Temple, where around 100,000 people a day are fed for free by temple volunteers, but the number double during special occasions.