The magnificent symbol of sacrifice, bravery and purity, Sri Harmandir Sahib-the Golden Temple is a centre of Sikhs faith. This is not just a temple it’s a standing example of the spiritual and historic traditions of India. In 1588, the fifth Guru Arjan Deva got the foundation laid by this temple by Hazart Main Mir, a Sufi Muslim saint of Lahore.

Anointed with gold and surrounded by water, this great adobe of gods has four entrance doors. The four doors symbolised that the house of lords is open to all, irrespective of caste, creed and status. The delicate filigree and enamel work in gold on the central dome elaborates the beauty of this temple. Several murals and different thoughts from the sacred texts painted gracefully on its walls showcase the true spirit of this holy pilgrim.

It is called Gold Temple because the famous Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab covered the outer layer of this holy place with the pure gold sheet in 1803. The Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs which contains the ‘bani’ of the Guru’s, was first installed in the Harmandir Sahib.

India Post has issued a commemorative stampin 1987 to celebrate the 400 years of its journey. India Post has also issued a definitive stamp in 1949.

Today Gold Temple is visited by over 100,000 people a year. It is one of the major tourist attractions of India. The Journey of Gold Temple through the ages has made the holy centre a part of the seven wonders of India.

Image Courtesy: Mintage World