Oh! I had a fantastic time in India, the state that tightly hold its culture in its arms. During my voyage in India, I happened to visit the famous Golden temple of India in Amritsar. It is one of the holy pilgrimage of Sikhs. Thankfully, I had a sikh friend, Jaspreet, in Canada who escorted me in my exploration. As he was along, I had no problem in understanding the splendorous nature of the temple.

Jaspreet told me that the actual idea of establishing a central place of worship was conceived by Guru Amar Das. He also informed me that the it was Guru Amar das who designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib. The plans to excavate the holy tank or the Amritsar or Amrit Sarovar, was chalked out by Guru Amardas Sahib, the Third Nanak, but it was executed by Guru Ramdas Sahib under the supervision of Baba Budha ji. The tank and the temple have been a source of inspiration to the Sikh community ever since its foundation.

In fact, I was quite astound to see the architecture of the Sri Harmandir Sahib, that is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of the Sarovar or the tank.

As I was keen to know about the history of the Golden temple, Jaspreet, my NRI Sikh friend, narrated me the entire past that golden beauty beholded. He told me that the Golden Temple was first built in the year 1601, and the Guru Granth Sahib , the famous religious book of Sikh was installed in 1604.

He also enligtened me with the fact that Golden temple has always been a political as well as a religious center and therefore the temple has been the centre of many conflicts. Afghan invaders seized Amritsar in 1756 and desecrated the temple. A few years after being rebuilt, in 1762, another Afghan attack from Ahmad Shah destroyed the temple and polluted the sacred lake with the bodies of slaughtered cows. The latest conflict at the temple was in 1984, when there was damage to the temple due to conflict with the Indian government.

If someone ask me today to tell something unique about Golden temple.? I will answer its architecture. In fact, I was mesmerized by the intricate architecture as I still hold some vivid memories about the golden beauty.

The most intresting part was that the temple was surrounded by the lake. Oh ! yes, the temple building is three storeys high and is crowned with a dome shaped like an inverted lotus. The lower storey is in white marble, while the two upper storeys have gold plating. Till date I wonder how much gold must have been put to make that dome glow with glory.

I was quite astound to see that the temple had four entrances symbolic of the openness of Sikhism and the fact that followers of all faiths are welcome here. The walls within are decorated with carved wooden panels and elaborate inlay work in silver and gold. Jaspreet, my Indian Sikh friend showed me the Adi Granth, compiled by Guru Arjan Dev, that rests on a throne beneath a jewel-encrusted canopy. He also showed me the Ala Takht, next to the Golden Temple, is the seat of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, the religious governing body of the Sikhs.

And the architecture of the temple was no less. The temple has doors each on the east, west, north and south. The Darshani Deori or an arch stands at the shore end of the causeway. At the top of the first floor 4 feet high parapet rises on all the sides which has also four 'Mamtees' on the four corners and exactly on the top of the central hall of the main sanctuary rises the third story. A regular recitation of Guru Granth Sahib is also held there. A low fluted 'Gumbaz'or the dome stands at the top of this room having lotus petal motif in relief at the base inverted lotus at the top which supports the 'Kalash' having a beautiful 'Chhatri' at the end.

Initially, I didn't had any idea that the globally renown Golden Temple was also known as Harmandir Sahib. In fact, it was quite amazed to know that. Jaspreet, my NRI Sikh friend, told me that it enshrines the Holy Book of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib. Harmindir Sahib is located in Amritsar.

Jaspreet,who acted like my guide, told me that the foundation of this temple was laid by Guru Arjun Dev - Nanak, in 1589. He also acquainted me with the fact that Guru Arjun Dev requested his great contemporary Muslim mystic, Mir Mo hammed Muayyinul Islam, popularly known as Mian Mir, to lay the foundation stone.

It was interesting for me to know that the construction of the Harmidir Sahib was completed in late sixteenth century. It was rebuilt by the Sikh ruler, Maharajah Ranjit Singh in 1803. I was quite impressed by the structure of the temple..especially the architecture. The Harmindir sahib 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.

Then Jaspreet showed me 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. " Jaspreet informed.

I was quite shocked to know that The gnarled old Jubi Tree that is at 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.

Another intresting fact was that I was asked to remove my 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.