This holy seat is situated in Amritsar in Punjab, India. It was built by Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru (Divine Master), who expounded the version of the worldly and spiritual realms (Miri Piri) in 1609. The Akal Takht (the seat of the Timeless One) has a pre-eminent role in the affairs of the Sikh way of life and provides guidance to Sikhs on secular issues viewed from a spiritual perspective. Any edict issued from here is binding on all the Sikhs around the world. Any issue of vital importance to the Sikh faith is deliberated upon by the ‘Five Chosen Ones’, from all the five Takhts, sitting together at the Akal Takht in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. After studying the issue, according to Sikh way of life, an edict is issued, which may be addressed to an individual or to the Sikh community at large. Those in charge of these Takhts are required to tread the Divine Path with love and devotion, eradicating their ego completely, and considering the whole community in their decision-making irrespective of caste, creed, gender or social status.
