Is Golden Temple Made Of Gold? Facts You Should Know

“Ik Onkar Satnam..” – when you hear this famous Sikh prayer, one can only think of the holy Golden Temple. Shining bright in the heart of Punjab, India, the Golden Temple is situated in Amritsar.  Do you ever wonder – Is Golden Temple made of gold? Or how it was built or what’s inside? As an important Sikh religious site, the Golden Temple attracts millions of visitors each year who come to experience its beauty and spirituality. While its name may lead you to believe the temple is coated in gold, there’s more to the story than what meets the eye. 

The Golden Temple has a fascinating history and architecture that provides a peek into Sikh values and culture. Keep reading to uncover more about this iconic landmark and learn facts that will leave you in awe of its magnificence.

Significance of Golden Temple

In Punjab, the Golden Temple is famous by the name Harmandir Sahib. It is the holiest Gurdwara of Sikhism. It’s a major pilgrimage site for Sikhs from all over the world. Here’s an answer to the question- Is Golden Temple made of gold? Well, not entirely, but gold does play an important role.

• Gold symbolises purity and spiritual light in Sikhism. The temple gets its famous golden appearance from the gold plating done on the sanctum and dome (the upper half of the temple).
• While the gold plating is visually stunning, the deeper significance is its representation of the Sikh values of sacrifice and devotion. 
• The golden glow from the temple brightens the path of truth and spiritual enlightenment. This is why Harmandir Sahib is so precious to the Sikh community.
• The gold plating was a gift of love that has come to symbolise the temple’s holistic impact and the warmth of the Sikh spirit. Whether sparkling in the sunlight or glowing at night, the Golden Temple lives up to its name and place in Sikh hearts.

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Rich History Behind the Golden Temple

The Golden Temple has a rich history. You may be wondering if the Golden Temple built by whom? Back in the 16th century, in 1581, Guru Arjan Dev initiated the construction of the Golden Temple. The temple was intended to be a place where people from all walks of life could come together in worship and community. 

He designed the Gurdwara at a level lower than the city to signify setting ego aside and promoting humility before entering the temple. He also placed the Adi Granth there. This was the first version ever made of the Golden Temple, which was initially just made of bricks.

Soon, it became a centre of attraction for the Mughal and Afghan invaders. It was destroyed several times by them. It was only in the 1800s that Maharaja Ranjit Singh founded the Sikh Empire, rebuilt the Golden Temple with marble and copper and later added a huge sheet of Gold to the sanctum.

Architecture of The Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is a beautiful blend of Hindu and Mughal styles of architecture made of white marble, copper and pure gold. While the temple isn’t made of solid gold, its domes are gilded or covered in gold. The gold plating was first donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1830. He donated 200 kg of gold to cover the upper floors of the Gurdwara.

Over time, devotees have added more gold plates as donations, especially on special occasions and festivals. At the same time, the detailed marble inlays, the wirework, and the mural paintings inside the temple are a sight to behold. That pretty much sums up the response to the question – “Is Golden Temple made of gold?”.

When you enter the temple complex, you walk over a long way lined with marble fences surrounding a massive holy pool. The temple is situated in the centre of the pool, connected by a narrow bridge. The pool is believed to have healing powers, and many worshippers bathe in its waters. 

Inside Harmandir Sahib are several sacred shrines, including the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism. There is continuous singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, and visitors are welcome to sit and listen. The temple follows the Sikh tradition of langar, a free communal meal open to people of all faiths.

Also Read: Significance Of Bel Patra: Why Is It Offered To Lord Shiva?

Top Four Fascinating Facts About the Golden Temple

Now that we are aware of the history and architecture behind the Golden Temple, we must look at some of the fascinating facts about this sacred place. 

1. The Largest Langar Seva in The World

The Golden Temple, or the Harmindar Sahib Temple, is one of the most visited places of worship in India. It serves Langar or Auspicious food at the temple to up to 60,000 people per day. This number increases to more than 1 lakh people on special occasions.

2. The Golden Temple Was Not Originally Gold-Covered

Initially made of marble, the holy Golden Temple was later gilded with Gold. However, all the Gold was not plated at the same time. A series of renovations and reconstructions added more karats of Gold to the temple. 

3. Covering of Real Gold

The top part or dome of the Golden Temple is gilded or covered with 750 kgs of pure gold currently. This represents the part of Golden Temple real gold. In Sikhism, Gold symbolises keeping celebrations, harmony, pride and prayers as the top priority. So, Is Golden Temple made of gold? Though it is half covered in gold, the feel of the temple is that of a peaceful, shining gold.

4. Lord Buddha Once Meditated Here

There are some mentions in old heritage Indian books about Lord Buddha visiting the Golden Temple. He is believed to have meditated here and called it an ideal site for meditation. During that time, the temple was surrounded by dense green forest.

Conclusion

There you go! – You have your answer to – “Is Golden Temple Made of Gold?”. The Golden Temple, or Swarn Mandir Amritsar, Punjab, is a place of immense beauty, spirituality and community. If you ever get the chance to visit Amritsar, the Golden Temple should be at the top of your list. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.  While it may not entirely be made of gold, its beauty and spirituality shine through. 

Greetings! I’m Ritu Mahali, a content writer at InstaAstro. Your positive feedback motivates me to continue creating valuable content. If you found this blog beneficial, feel free to connect with our in-house astrology experts by clicking here and gain insights to stay ahead of life’s challenges.

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