By Dr. Mohinder Singh
Amritsar, the city of the ‘Pool of Nectar’, stands for the values of eternity, Satsang and Naam-Simran. It elevates the mortal to the level of the eternal. Gurbani brings the experience of eternity alive deep within us. The experience and experiencer and the place of experience become one in the process of spiritual seeking.
Harmandir Sahib is also known as the Darbar Sahib, which means ‘sacred audience’ or the Swarna Mandir (Golden Temple). It was founded in 1588 and has since been a living symbol of spiritual and historical heritage for Sikhs. It is the preeminent spiritual site of Sikhs. There is a belief the immortal nectar of the sacred sarovar (pool) surrounds the temple. It was Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru, who expanded the sarovar of nectar that had been in existence since the time of Ram Das, the fourth Guru, and built a concrete structure. The Guru built the temple in the centre of the sacred sarovar and called it Harmandir, the abode of God. There are four doors, one in each direction, which signifies accessibility to people of all faiths from all four directions irrespective of their beliefs. Guru Arjan planned the Gurdwara at a level lower than the city to emphasise humility and the need to efface one’s ego before entering the premises to meet the Guru. There is only one bridge to access the Golden Temple, which emphasises that the end goal of all human beings is to be one with God.
After the compilation of the Adi Granth in 1604, the fifth Guru appointed Baba Budda, the first Granthi of the temple. The Harmandir Sahib has a few unique features:
• The practice of Kirtan: It is the only Gurdwara where an uninterrupted Kirtan (hymns sung to the musical tunes in different ragas) is played by different Ragis (hymn singers) throughout the day. It is also the only Sikh shrine where Guru Granth is placed on a cot on the floor and not on a high wooden or cemented pedestal
• The sixth Guru built the ‘Akal Takht’ opposite the main entrance of the ‘Darshani Deodi’ of Harmandir Sahib to discuss temporal affairs.
• After the daily religious ceremonies, Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, is taken to a room known as the ‘Kotha Sahib’ where Guru Arjan resided. Every morning the holy Granth is taken to the sanctum in a palanquin with a procession of devotees. This practice, which has been followed over the ages, continues till date.
