Golden Temple – on account of its scenic beauty and golden coating also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, and Sri Darbar Sahib is named after Hari (God) the temple of God. The Sikhs all over the world, daily wish to pay visit to Sri Amritsar and to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib in their Ardas.
Guru Arjan Sahib, the Fifth Nanak, conceived the idea of creating a central place of worship for the Sikhs and he himself designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib.
Unlike erecting the structure on the higher level (a tradition in Hindu Temple architecture), Guru Arjan Sahib got it built on the lower level and unlike Hindu Temples having only one gate for the entrance and exit, Guru Sahib got it open from four sides. Thus he created a symbol of new faith, Sikhism. Guru Sahib made it accessible to every person without any distinction of Caste, creed, sex and religion.
Its architecture represents a unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction work and this is considered the best architectural specimens of the world. It is often quoted that this architecture has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in the history of art in India.
Source: Wikipedia
Personal note: It was my dream to visit this place since my school days listening to voice of Saroj narayanaswamy grand old lady of All India Radio –that n- number of people from Gurudaspur district or kaburthala district were killed in the gun fire during operation blue star. Also my maternal uncle who visited this temple during those days has also cited that it’s too scary to visit this temple and not sure of their lives till they get out of the temple which kept the curiosity inside me to visit this time lifetime… and now mission accomplished.
I have been to the Golden Temple and the place is phenomenal…I just loved it…want to visit another time….