The Golden Temple : 

The globally renown Golden Temple, Harmandir Sahib, which enshrines the Holy Book of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib, is located in Amritsar. Amritsar, literally 'a pool of nectar', was founded by the fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ram Das, who had initially constructed a pool here. The vital nucleus of Sikhism, Amritsar is also believed to be the site, where Sage Valmiki wrote the epic, Ramayana. According to popular belief, Rama and Sita had spent a brief period of their 14 year exile here. Guru Arjun Dev - Nanak V(1563-1606) laid down the foundation of the temple in 1589. He requested his great contemporary Muslim mystic, Mir Mohammed Muayyinul Islam, popularly known as Mian Mir, to lay the foundation stone. The construction of the temple was completed in late sixteenth century. It was rebuilt by the Sikh ruler, Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1803. The Golden Temple is a two storey marble structure, with an imposing dome of pure gold. The architecture of the Golden Temple, is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles. The golden dome is meant to represent an inverted lotus flower. The interior of the temple is decorated with semi precious stones, frescoes and glass work. The Akal Takht, or immortal throne, established by the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind, is the supreme seat of Sikh religious authority, and is also the repository of ancient weapons, used by the Sikh warriors and Gurus. The original copy of the Granth Sahib, which is kept in the Golden Temple during the day, is ceremoniously returned to the Akal Takht, at night.

Top

The Temple Interior :

The gnarled old Jubi Tree in the north west corner of the compound, is believed to possess special powers. It was planted 450 years ago, by the Golden Temple's first high priest, Baba Buddhaya. Guru-ka-Langar or the communal canteen, is towards the eastern entrance of the temple complex, and it provides free food to all visitors, regardless of colour, creed, caste or gender. Pilgrims and visitors to the Golden Temple, must remove their shoes and cover their heads, before entering the temple premises. The best time to visit the temple is early in the morning, on weekdays, before it gets crowded.

Other places to See :

Near the Golden Temple, is Jallianwala Bagh, a poignant memorial of the Freedom Movement. This garden was the site of a brutal massacre of over 2000 innocent unarmed people, on the orders of a British General on April 13, 1919. The bullet scarred walls of the well kept garden, today, enclose a memorial with an eternal flame, dedicated to the martyrs. 

April 13, 1919: The black day for the people of punjab, as it was on this day the  British troops opened fire on a crowd of unarmed Indian protesters, killing a large number. It left a permanent scar on Indo-British relations and was the prelude to Mahatma Gandhi's Non-cooperation Movement of 1920-22.

In 1919 the British government of India enacted the Rowlatt Acts, extending its World War I emergency powers to combat subversive activities. At Amritsar, Punjab (Pañjab) district, about 10,000 demonstrators unlawfully protesting these measures confronted troops commanded by Brig. Gen. Reginald E.H. Dyer in an open space known as the Jallianwalla Bagh, which had only one exit. The troops fired on the crowd, killing an estimated 379 and wounding about 1,200, according to one official report. The shooting was followed by the proclamation of martial law, public floggings, and other humiliations. The Hunter Commission condemned General Dyer (1920), but the House of Lords praised his action, and a fund was raised in his honour.

Durgiana Temple, outside the Lohagarh gate of the old city, is dedicated to Goddess Durga, and is a centre of pilgrimage for devout Hindus. Other attractions are Ram Bagh Garden, encircling the palace of the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh; Fort Gobind Garh, which was built by Ranjit Singh in 1805-09; Baba Atal Rai Tower; Baba Bakale, a gurudwara dedicated to Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru of Sikhs and Taran Taran, a gurudwara in the memory of Guru Ram Das.

Top

LUDHIANA

Ludhiana which was earlier known as Mir Hota , a small village, was named as Lodiana after the Lodis, the dynasty, which ruled at Delhi from A. D. 1451 to 1526. The two Lodi chiefs, Yusuf Khan and Nihang Khan, deputed by Sikandar Lodi (A. D. 1489-1517) came to Mir Hota (Now Ludhiana) to restore the order. Yusuf Khan crossed the Sutlej to check the Khokhars and settled at Sultanpur. Nihang Khan remained at Mir Hota and called the place Lodiana which with the passage of time becomes Ludhiana.

An important industrial town, Ludhiana is famous for its hosiery goods. Woollen garments produced here are sold all over the world. The famous Punjab Agricultural University is situated on the outskirts of Ludhiana. Rural olympics of Qila Raipur, Chharpper Mela, and Kila Mela at Pau, attract lakhs every year.

Top