Description:
Har Mandir Saheb, popularly known, as the Golden temple is the holiest shrine for the Sikhs, so called because the entire upper half was inlaid with copper covered over by gold plate. The architecture of the Golden Temple, is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles.
The principle of universal participation was extended to the planning and execution of the project. All Sikhs in all congregations had a role in building this noble edifice to their faith. Their participation took two forms: voluntary labor (sewa) at the site, and a donation (daswandh) of ten percent of their income to support the construction. In 1589 by Guru Arjun Dev - Nanak V (1563-1606) was laid down the foundation of the temple. Mir Mohammed Muayyinul Islam, popularly known as Mian Mir was requested to lay the foundation stone. The great Sikh secular leader, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, donated 100 kg of gold to the temple and thus gold was applied to the copper sheets on the roof and the exterior of the building. The construction of the temple was completed in late sixteenth century. The Sikh ruler, Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1803, rebuilt it. It is a two stores marble structure, with an imposing dome of pure gold. The architecture of the Temple is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles. The golden dome is meant to represent an inverted lotus flower and the interior of the temple is decorated with semi precious stones, frescoes and glasswork. The gnarled old Jubi Tree in the northwest corner of the compound is believed to possess special powers. The Golden Temple's first high priest, Baba Buddhaya, planted it. Guru-ka-Langar or the communal canteen is towards the eastern entrance of the temple complex providing free food to all visitors, regardless of colour, creed, or caste.
