Golden temple ~ Amritsar , India

Harminder Sahib, or the Golden Temple as it is popularly called is one of the holiest shrines of Sikhism. Built at the centre of a man - made pool, it is one of the places where I have seen faith and kindness reflected through acts of humanity.

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Interestingly, it is the said that the foundation stone of the gurdwara was laid by a Muslim man; thus, where better can one see such unity from diversity.


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Politically, the edifice had been the centre of conflict throughout the 1980s. But that’s the beauty of the place which has come out of the darkest of clouds and re-affirmed the belief of lakhs and crores that good triumphs over evil.

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To go back to mention on how it seeps kindness and humanity? Well, right from the time you enter the complex, who will see volunteers with smiling faces, who are doing ‘seva' or service to others or as I would like to call it “acts of kindness". The ‘langer’ or free kitchen system itself is a proof which feeds millions without any discrimination.

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According to the Sikh historical records, the land that became Amritsar and houses the Harimandar Sahib was chosen by Guru Amar Das – the third Guru of the Sikh tradition. It was then called Guru Da Chakk, after he had asked his disciple Ram Das to find land to start a new town with a man-made pool as its central point. After Ram Das succeeded Guru Amar Das in 1574, and given the hostile opposition he faced from the sons of Guru Amar Das Guru Ram Das founded the town that came to be known as "Ramdaspur". He started by completing the pool with the help of Baba Buddha (not to be confused with the Buddha of Buddhism). Guru Ram Das built his new official centre and home next to it. He invited merchants and artisans from other parts of India to settle into the new town with him.

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