Ans. The foundation stone of Harmandar Sahib, also known as Darbar Sahib, or Golden Temple, was laid by Hazrat Mian Mir (a Sufi Faqir), on a request from Guru Arjan Dev, on January 3, 1588 in Amritsar.
The Amrit Sarovar (sacred lake) is 500 ft. long, 490 ft. wide and 17 ft. deep.The only bridge that connects Harmamdar Sahib with the outer walkway (parikarma) is 240 ft. long and 21 ft. wide.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh got the building of Hari Mandir adorned with gold leaf in 1830, that is why the name Golden Temple.Reply has beautifully written in his “Believe it or not”, that the Hari Mandir was constructed in order to install Guru Granth Sahib there”.
According to this view, this building should be the most expensive cover for a book in the world.The installation of Guru Granth Sahib, then known as Pothi Sahib, was done in the Harmandar by Guru Arjan Dev, on August 30, 1604.Describing the uniqueness of Hari Mandir, Professor Puran Singh has written: “It is said that it took nine years for 22,000 labourers to construct the Taj Mahal; but for Harmandar Sahib’s construction innumerable devotees voluntarily came and worked to complete it”.
Reaching here, a Sikh considers that he/she has reached his/her own hometown. The foundation of Harmandar Sahib is standing on love, devotion and contentment. According to witness accounts, the earth dug from Santokh Sar (another lake in Amritsar constructed by Guru Arjan Dev), meaning the lake of contentment, was used for the foundation of Harmandar Sahib.
Harmandar Sahib has four doors, which signify the one-ness of humanity (open to all four castes) irrespective of colour, creed or geographical origin. Actually the geographical directions are aligned towards the four corners of the building. Thus each door is in the middle of two corners representing two geographical directions. The door at “Har ki Pauri” opens towards South-East, the door towards Shaheed Bunga (where the Sikh reference Library The door towards “Darshani Deorhi” faces North West and the used to be prior to the 1984 Holocaust, opens towards South West; door towards the clock tower (Sikh Museum) faces North East Thus even the discrepancy regarding East or West have been eliminated (Some religions consider East more sacred while the others consider West more sacred).
The building of Harmandar Sahib sits at the level of the lake water. To an observer it looks as if a lotus flower is in blossom and floating on water. Every heart blossoms on entering Harmandar Sahib.
The lower level of Harmandar Sahib’s compared to its surroundings and its relatively flat domes symbolyze humility.
The dome of Akaal Takhat is upright and is symbolic of integrity and valour.
There is an inverted lotus flower on the dome of Harmandar Sahib which depicts the continuous flow of Amrit and the Maaya (the wealth and the comforts of this world) follows those who possess the Name of the Lord.
Harmandar Sahib depicts scenes of life (carved in its marble walls with semi-precious stones). There are pictures of elephants, galloping horses, flying birds, bird-laden blanches and meditating sadhus. On the contrary, in Taj Mahal, not a single wall carving depicts life. On observing this and tourist exclaimed, “Harmandar Sahib is full of life while Taj Mahal is full of death”.
The construction of Harmandar Sahib is such that one does not sweat in summer or shiver in winter. The bridge from Darshani Deorhi to the door of Hari Mandir is 84 steps long which signifies that there is only one “Dharma” (duty of all humanity). Whoever comes here with humility and devotion to Gurus’ word, he/she will not have to go through the transmigration of 84 lakh (8.4 million) births.