Golden Temple is one of the holiest sites for Sikhs across the world. Also known as Harmandir Sahib, it is located in the city of Amritsar in Punjab and is visited by millions of devotees every year. The temple has four entrances and a circumambulation path around the sacred pool (Amrit Sarovar). It is famous for its golden dome and inner sanctum that’s covered in 500 kg of 24-karat gold leaf.

 

Golden Temple is open to everyone, regardless of their religion or background. Anyone can visit the gurudwara and seek blessings. Keep reading to know more about Golden Temple in Amritsar.

History of the Golden Temple

The story of Golden Temple begins in the late 1500s. Guru Amar Das, the third Sikh Guru, chose the land for Amritsar and asked Guru Ram Das to build a new town here. Guru Ram Das developed the area, calling it Ramdaspur. He also began work on the sacred pool at the centre of Golden Temple, which later became Amrit Sarovar.

Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, started work on the temple in 1581. The foundation stone of the temple is believed to have been laid by the Sufi saint Mian Mir, showing the spirit of harmony. It took eight years to complete the first version of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. In 1604, Guru Arjan Dev placed the Guru Granth Sahib inside the temple. 

Over time, the temple faced damage during invasions, especially in the 18th century, but it was rebuilt again and again. In the 1800s, Maharaja Ranjit Singh covered the temple with gold, giving it the ‘Golden Temple’ name we know today. 

Spiritual Significance of the Temple

Golden Temple in Amritsar holds deep spiritual and religious significance for Sikhs all around the world:

 

• It is one of the holiest places in Sikhism and is known as Harmandir Sahib, meaning the Temple of God

• Devotees believe it is a place where one can feel close to God and find inner peace

• It is an important pilgrimage site that Sikhs aim to visit at least once in their lifetime

• The temple is open to people of all faiths, reflecting values of equality, service, and community

• The continuous prayers and singing of Gurbani or hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib create a peaceful and transformative atmosphere for prayer and reflection.

Golden Temple Darshan Timings

The Golden Temple complex is open 24x7 for devotees. It’s important to note that temple timings at Golden Temple, Amritsar, for various rituals can change slightly depending on the time of the year. 

Here are the details on the daily schedule followed during the Vaisakh month from April 14th to May 13th:

 

You can find the timings for Golden Temple, Amritsar, on the official website for each month of the Nanakshahi calendar (Sikh calendar). Remember to check these timings before you visit the temple, especially if you wish to participate in specific rituals.

Guru Ka Langar – The Community Kitchen

• Guru Ka Langar in Golden Temple is the world’s largest community kitchen. 

• It serves 100,000 people every day, with numbers going higher on festival days. 

• It is named after the 4th Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Dass and follows the tradition set by Guru Nanak.

• Women often help prepare meals, while children help serve food to people sitting in the pangat.

• Langar teaches people to sit and eat together, showing that everyone is equal.

• People from all religious backgrounds are welcome to eat at the Langar.

• Families regularly volunteer to cook and serve food for everyone.

• The Langar Hall is open 24/7, and simple vegetarian meals are always available. 

Best Time to Visit the Golden Temple

You can visit Golden Temple in Amritsar anytime, but your experience can vary depending on the season and festivals. Here’s a simple guide on the best time to visit the Golden Temple:

How to Reach Golden Temple

Golden Temple, Amritsar, is conveniently located to ensure devotees can reach the temple easily. If you’re planning to visit Golden Temple, you can reach it in the following ways: 

By Bus

Amritsar is very well-connected by regular bus service. Some popular routes include:

• Delhi to Amritsar

• Chandigarh to Amritsar

• Jammu to Amritsar 

• Jaipur to Amritsar 

• Ludhiana to Amritsar

By Train

The nearest railway station to Golden Temple is Amritsar Junction. It is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Dehradun, and Chandigarh. The station is about 2 kilometres from the temple. From here, you can take a free bus service to Golden Temple, which is operated by the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) and runs every 15–20 minutes as part of the Sikh tradition of seva.

By Air

The nearest airport to Golden Temple is the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport. It is located about 13 kilometres from the temple. You can take the free bus service operated from the airport to Golden Temple or book a cab to reach the temple in about 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. 

How to Reach Golden Temple from Amritsar Bus Stand

The distance from Amritsar Bus Stand to Golden Temple is about 2 kilometres. If you’re arriving at ISBT Amritsar Bus Stand, you can:

• Take an Auto-Rickshaw: Autos are readily available outside the bus stand and can help you reach the temple in about 10 minutes.

• Take the Free Bus: The free bus service is also available from the bus terminal to the Temple. 

• Walk to the Temple: Walking will take about 20 minutes and can be tiring, especially during the summer months and if you have luggage. 

Nearby Places to Visit

Amritsar is a historic city with several popular places located close to Golden Temple. So, after seeking blessings at Golden Temple, Amritsar, you can also visit these popular tourist spots around the Temple:

• Jallianwala Bagh

On 16th April 1919, British soldiers under the command of General Dyer opened fire on a crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh. Today, the public garden has a memorial commemorating those who lost their lives and were wounded in India’s fight for freedom.

Distance from the Golden Temple: About 1 kilometre

• Partition Museum

Partition Museum is located inside the restored Town Hall. It records the history of India’s partition in 1947 through personal accounts, documents, family photographs, and items left behind by mass migrations. 

Distance from Golden Temple: About 1.7 kilometres

• Gobindgarh Fort

Gobindgarh Fort was built in the 18th century and was once used for military purposes. Today, it has been opened to the public. You can visit the fort to see its architecture and learn about the Sikh military traditions through museum displays, light and sound shows, and performances.

Distance from Golden Temple: About 3.8 kilometres

• Wagah Border

Wagah Border is located between Amritsar and Lahore. It is famous for the daily retreat ceremony (beating drum ceremony). It is held every day at sunset and draws large crowds of visitors who come to see Indian and Pakistani soldiers lower their respective flags and close the border gates.

Distance from Golden Temple: About 30 kilometres

Travel Tips for Visiting Golden Temple

Here are a few tips that may help you better plan your visit to Golden Temple:

• Cover your head before entering the temple as a sign of respect. 

• Remove your shoes at the entrance and collect a token from the cloakroom after depositing your shoes and luggage.

• Wash your feet and hands at the pool before entering the Temple.

• Maintain silence and respect inside the Temple premises. 

• Dress modestly when visiting the sacred Temple.

• Visit Golden Temple in Amritsar at night when it’s less crowded. You can also see the temple lit up and watch its beautiful reflection in the water

• Don’t carry extra luggage when visiting Golden Temple.

• Follow the rules and instructions given at the temple

Why Travel by Bus to Golden Temple

Travelling to Golden Temple in Amritsar by bus is a good idea because of the following reasons:

• Amritsar has a good bus network, connecting it to other major cities and towns of India.

• Both government and private buses run frequently to Amritsar from many Indian cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jammu. 

• Travelling in a bus also costs less than buying a flight ticket, making it an affordable option for most devotees.

• ISBT Amritsar Bus Stand is located just 2 kilometres away from Golden Temple, which makes accessing the Temple super easy. 

If you’re planning to visit Golden Temple Amritsar soon and want a convenient and low-cost option, you can consider booking Amritsar bus tickets through redBus. On redBus, you can check bus timetables, seat availability, and amenities before booking to plan your pilgrimage in a convenient way.