The Golden Temple, also recognized as a Sri Harmandir Sahib, is a famous Sikh gurdwara located in Amritsar, Punjab, India. Here is a brief history of the Golden Temple and its pooja timings:
Golden Temple History
- The Golden Temple was built in the 16th century by Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru. It was planned to symbolize equality, unity, and brotherhood.
- The temple complex was destroyed and rebuilt numerous times due to attacks by foreign invaders and conflicts between the Sikh community & the Indian government.
- In 1984, the temple complex was the site of a violent military operation by the Indian government, recognized as Operation Blue Star, which end-up in the death of hundreds of people.
- Today, the Golden Temple is a revered place of worship for Sikhs and appeals to millions of visitors worldwide yearly.
Golden Temple Pooja Timings
- The Golden Temple is open to visitors 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
- The first pooja of the day, known as the “Prakash” ceremony, takes place at 5:00 AM. During this ceremony, the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikh religion, is brought out from the temple and placed on a throne.
- The “Sukh Aasan” ceremony takes place at 6:00 PM. During which the Guru Granth Sahib is taken from the throne and placed in a superior room for the night.
- The day’s final pooja, called the “Sodar Rehras Sahib” ceremony, takes place at sunset.
- Visitors to the Golden Temple are welcome to attend any of these ceremonies and are asked to cover their heads and remove their shoes before entering the temple complex.