2025-04-24 Thu

The next stamp in the Archaeological and Historical Monuments Definitive series from 1949 celebrates the Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple. Located in Amritsar, Punjab, this gurdwara was founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh guru.

One of the remarkable things about the Golden Temple is that it houses the Adi Granth, the holy scripture of Sikhism, and the Akal Takht, which is the supreme governing body for the Sikh community. Over the years, the temple has faced challenges; being destroyed several times by Mughal forces and invading Afghan armies, but the dedicated Sikh community has always rebuilt it. In 1834, under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the entire exterior was covered in gold, while the interiors were beautifully adorned with silver work, marble, and traditional paintings.

Visitors can also explore other buildings, such as a clock tower and a museum, as well as the langar hall—a welcoming community kitchen that serves free vegetarian meals to everyone.

This stamp, with a face value of 12 Annas, truly captures the essence of the Golden Temple as a divine and inviting place of worship for all, irrespective of one’s background or beliefs.