Amritsar-Kai Yi Mok
History of Amritsar
The holy Golden Temple, surrounded by the famous tank of water which the city was named after.
The city has been famous for mighty Sikhs, and there are many legends revolving it. One of them is that when the fourth Guru of the Sikhs Guru Ram Das heard about the healing powers of the pool there, he ordered his son Guru Arjan Dev to build a temple there. In 1588, the foundations of a city were laid which later on became an symbol of Sikh culture and history.
The Temple compound was completed in 1601. After its completion, the holy book of the Sikhs named the Guru Granth Sahibwas placed in the Temple. It was soon known as the Harmandir, or the Temple of God.
Traders who came to the city were called by Guru Ji to settle in the vicinity of the Gurudwara. It was looted many times but many people donated money for its reconstructions. The town was attacked by Ahmad Shah Durrani in the late 18th century. Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated 100 kilos of gold for the temple and helped rebuilt the town, so the temple got its name from the gold covering on the outer walls.
Amritsar was always threatened from both Muslim and Hindu rulers. Due to the protests against Rowlatt Act, the British General Dyer banned the people from holding meetings in the fear of a rebellion. In the Jallianwala Bagh, he also started a huge massacre and killed thousands of innocent people who gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the Khalsa panth (the way of the Khalsa).
Post independence era also brought problems for people living in Amritsar. It was a fight between the Indian government and Sikh militant groups. Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale demanded a separatecountry for Sikhs. He marched towards theGolden Temple and attempted to raid it, but in the end Bhindranwale was shot dead with many of his supporters. The Temple was redecorated again and returned to its former
condition.
The Temple compound was completed in 1601. After its completion, the holy book of the Sikhs named the Guru Granth Sahibwas placed in the Temple. It was soon known as the Harmandir, or the Temple of God.
Traders who came to the city were called by Guru Ji to settle in the vicinity of the Gurudwara. It was looted many times but many people donated money for its reconstructions. The town was attacked by Ahmad Shah Durrani in the late 18th century. Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated 100 kilos of gold for the temple and helped rebuilt the town, so the temple got its name from the gold covering on the outer walls.
Amritsar was always threatened from both Muslim and Hindu rulers. Due to the protests against Rowlatt Act, the British General Dyer banned the people from holding meetings in the fear of a rebellion. In the Jallianwala Bagh, he also started a huge massacre and killed thousands of innocent people who gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the Khalsa panth (the way of the Khalsa).
Post independence era also brought problems for people living in Amritsar. It was a fight between the Indian government and Sikh militant groups. Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale demanded a separatecountry for Sikhs. He marched towards theGolden Temple and attempted to raid it, but in the end Bhindranwale was shot dead with many of his supporters. The Temple was redecorated again and returned to its former
condition.
Traveling to Amritsar
Sikh saints in the temple. You must take of your shoes and cover your head before entering.
When you first arrive, merchants always seek to get business from new people and crowd around offering their services. Amritsar is filled up with many people, polluted, and chaotic. Local people here do not have many manners, and Amritsar is not one of the cleanest cities. People are very interested in tourists, and keep staring at them.
The Golden Temple is the main attraction in the city, and the most important religious place to the Sikhs. You must cover your head and take off your shoes before you can go in.
Ghanta Ghar is the main entrance. You must wash your feet in the water at the entrance before entering in order to keep the temple clean. Amrit Sarovar is the giant pool of water that surrounds and reflects the Golden Temple, which the city was named after. There are also sections of it where male pilgrims can bathe. The official name for the Golden Temple is Harmandir Sahib. The sacred Adi Granth scripture is recited out loud during the day. It's a 2 story structure where Sikh saints are seated on each floor. Akal Takht or “The Timeless” is the building directly opposite the Golden Temple. This is where the highest council of Sikhs sits and provides guidance to people on Sikh practices. At night, the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book) is taken to the Akal Takht. The Central Sikh Museum is on the 2nd floor where you can admire a large gallery of paintings, mostly showing the ways many Sikhs have been sacrificed. All Sikhs are expected at some point in their lives to volunteer for a week at the temple, and you can join them if you want.
The Golden Temple is the main attraction in the city, and the most important religious place to the Sikhs. You must cover your head and take off your shoes before you can go in.
Ghanta Ghar is the main entrance. You must wash your feet in the water at the entrance before entering in order to keep the temple clean. Amrit Sarovar is the giant pool of water that surrounds and reflects the Golden Temple, which the city was named after. There are also sections of it where male pilgrims can bathe. The official name for the Golden Temple is Harmandir Sahib. The sacred Adi Granth scripture is recited out loud during the day. It's a 2 story structure where Sikh saints are seated on each floor. Akal Takht or “The Timeless” is the building directly opposite the Golden Temple. This is where the highest council of Sikhs sits and provides guidance to people on Sikh practices. At night, the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book) is taken to the Akal Takht. The Central Sikh Museum is on the 2nd floor where you can admire a large gallery of paintings, mostly showing the ways many Sikhs have been sacrificed. All Sikhs are expected at some point in their lives to volunteer for a week at the temple, and you can join them if you want.
Maps of Amritsar
Amritsar is near the border between India and Pakistan.
Moving On
This is a Sikh at the Golden Temple.
1. The Golden Temple is an iportant place for Sikhism. Sikhism in India was found in the 15th century by a person named Guru Nanak. The word"Sikh" translated in Punjab means disciple. Angad dev was a person who allowed
Guru Nanak to succeed as a leader. He also gathered all the writings, and called it the language of Guru or Gurumukhi.
Sikhism is very similar to Hinduism and Islam. Sikhism to people is to believe in on god, and they have 5 K's of Belief: Hair, Steel Bangle, Dagger, Kachha (clothing), and festivals. A festival celebrated by Sikhs is Gurupurab, commemorating Guru Nanak's birthday. Another one is Lohri, where unmarried people pray for good marriages.
2. A famous city in India is Delhi, the capital of India, located towards the north-west part. It is also the world's third largest city. Delhi has been in many wars and conflicts, and it has seen empires rise and fall. It lies over the west bank of the Yamuna river and is one of India's fastest growing cities in population, and that's why it was named capital of India.
There are quite a few culture shocks in Delhi, where people are loud and push around.There is quite a bit of pollution, and the traffic is undisciplined. When you get change or bring anything valuable with you on the streets, be careful ro someone will steal it. The weather there is also unpredictable.
3. Another famous city in India is Fatehpur Sikri. In1569, the city Fatehpur Sikri was founded by the Mughal emperor, Akbar in the village of Sikri. Later on, Akbar
went back to Sikri and started to build a historic town known as Fatehabad, which he renamed Fatehpur Sikri --- " The City of Victory " and made it the capital of Mughal Empire in 1585. However, the water supply dwindled and the city was abandoned. The climate in Fatehpur Sikri is usually warm.
This city is always surrounded by people all around the world, so be careful of the people asthey might push you or steal your things. This is a good place for visiting, so if you have time in India remember to come this place.
Guru Nanak to succeed as a leader. He also gathered all the writings, and called it the language of Guru or Gurumukhi.
Sikhism is very similar to Hinduism and Islam. Sikhism to people is to believe in on god, and they have 5 K's of Belief: Hair, Steel Bangle, Dagger, Kachha (clothing), and festivals. A festival celebrated by Sikhs is Gurupurab, commemorating Guru Nanak's birthday. Another one is Lohri, where unmarried people pray for good marriages.
2. A famous city in India is Delhi, the capital of India, located towards the north-west part. It is also the world's third largest city. Delhi has been in many wars and conflicts, and it has seen empires rise and fall. It lies over the west bank of the Yamuna river and is one of India's fastest growing cities in population, and that's why it was named capital of India.
There are quite a few culture shocks in Delhi, where people are loud and push around.There is quite a bit of pollution, and the traffic is undisciplined. When you get change or bring anything valuable with you on the streets, be careful ro someone will steal it. The weather there is also unpredictable.
3. Another famous city in India is Fatehpur Sikri. In1569, the city Fatehpur Sikri was founded by the Mughal emperor, Akbar in the village of Sikri. Later on, Akbar
went back to Sikri and started to build a historic town known as Fatehabad, which he renamed Fatehpur Sikri --- " The City of Victory " and made it the capital of Mughal Empire in 1585. However, the water supply dwindled and the city was abandoned. The climate in Fatehpur Sikri is usually warm.
This city is always surrounded by people all around the world, so be careful of the people asthey might push you or steal your things. This is a good place for visiting, so if you have time in India remember to come this place.
Citations
Wiki travel. Amritsar. April 29th. 2012.April 28th. 2012 http://wikitravel.org/en/Amritsar
About Golden Temple. History of Amritsar. April 28th. 2012http://www.aboutgoldentemple.com/amritsar/history-of-amritsar.html
Amritsar District Administration. Amritsar. History and Culture. April 28th. 2012 http://amritsar.nic.in/html/history_culture.htm
Tiziana Stupia.Travel Blog. Moving into India: New Moon at the Golden Temple. January 12th 2008. May 3rd 2012 http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Punjab/Amritsar/blog237691.html
About Golden Temple. History of Amritsar. April 28th. 2012http://www.aboutgoldentemple.com/amritsar/history-of-amritsar.html
Amritsar District Administration. Amritsar. History and Culture. April 28th. 2012 http://amritsar.nic.in/html/history_culture.htm
Tiziana Stupia.Travel Blog. Moving into India: New Moon at the Golden Temple. January 12th 2008. May 3rd 2012 http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Punjab/Amritsar/blog237691.html