Sri Hamandir Sahib - Amritsar Sri Hamandir Sahib - the Golden Temple - at Amritsar is a symbol of the spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs. The foundation of the city of Amritsar was laid by the Fourth Sikh Guru Ram DAs in 1577 and the holy tank was constructed simultaneaously. The city was to derive its name later from this "Lake of Nector" - Amritsar. Here the followers of Guru Ram Das meditated on Hari Nam (the name of God). In 1588 the fifthe Sikh Guru Arjan Dev got the foundation of HArmindar Sahib laid by Hazrat Mian Mir, a Sufi Muslim saint of Lahore. The consruction of Harmindir Sahib was completed with devoted voluntary service, "kar Seva". Beleiveing in humility Guru Arjan Dev built the shrine, not on a high plinth, but below ground level, so that devotees had to go down to enter it. The temple was open onall four sides symbolising that the House of God was open to all devotees, irrespective of castes, creed or status.

Guru Arjan Dev compose a number of hymns in praise of the sacred tank. He continued to uphold the ideas of Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh religion; spiritual unification and solidarity, love and service to all and submission to God's will. THe sacred scripture of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib, which contains the "bani" (utterances) of the Gurus and the hymns of various saints of different creeds, was first installed in the Harmidir Sahib. The Harmindir Sahib was called the Golden Temple when its upper part was decorated with richly embossed gold sheets during the period of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1803 A.D. There is fine filgree and enamel work in gold decoration in the central dome of the Temple.

The upper storey and the side panels contain coloured stone inlay work and several paintings. Sacred texts also decorate the interiors. Over the centuries devotees of various faiths have been offered exquisite gifts which are preserved even today in the Toshakhana. The Department of Posts is privileged to issue a stamp on Sri Harmindir Sahib, which is now 400 years old.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India