Religious Place for Sikhs, Amritsar

Golden Temple Amritsar is a religious place for Sikhs:

The Golden Temple is a holy place for Sikh devotees. It is a sacred place and a symbol of the spirituality and the historical tradition of Sikhs. Sikh Gurus founded Gurudwaras for their spiritual pilgrimage. The foundation of the Golden temple is the most important centre for the devotees of Sikhism, and this temple became the pilgrimage monument to the Sikhs.

The Place in Ancient time:

According to ancient Hindu Legends, the place had very glory during the Ramayana period and continued its glory up to the evolution of the Buddhist movement. The Buddhist movements completely swept away some of the important pilgrimage places of Hindus. According to the hagiographical literature, the site was chosen due to its religious antiquity. The place was a low-lying area with a small pond surrounded by many shady trees in a jungle and encircled by the small villages of Sultanwind, Tung, Gumtala and Gilwali.

Legends behind The Golden Temple Religious place for Sikhs:

The name of the site was derived from Lake Amrit Sarowar. Water in the lake had medicinal properties, which could cure diseases. Guru Amar Das found this lake and knew the peculiar qualities of the water, so he brought the herb water to heal the skin of Guru Angad, the second guru of the Sikhs.

Legendary Story:

There is another story to show the medicinal properties of the Pool. Once, Rai Duni Chand, a Kadar (revenue collector), had a daughter, and her husband suffered from Leprosy. She depression due to her husband’s Leprosy. She heard the news of sacred water in Amrit Sarowar and let him dip in the water. Once he falls into the pond, his Leprosy vanishes, and they live together happily. Guru Ram Das visited this place and was impressed with the beauty of the site and the value of the sacred water in the Pool. He decided to find a place for a pilgrimage around Amrit Sarowar. There were many stories about the holy place, but Guru Ram Das caused to establishment of this Sikh pilgrimage centre.

Construction of the Golden Temple:

The plans for the construction of the Golden Temple were chalked out. Guru Amar Das conveyed to Ram Das for the execution of the pilgrimage. Money and other needs are arranged. Gradually the works started, and the area became a city and devotional pilgrimage. Guru Ram Das laid the foundation, so the village was named Ram Das Pura.
The construction of the new Sikh centre started, and some huts and houses were also constructed around the sacred area. Bhai Jetha began the excavation of the Santokhsar (first tank). Later the hole of the second tank, named Amrit Sarowar, started under the supervision of Ram Das. During the construction of the sacred monument, the village crowded and settled with fifty-two types of caste groups from Patti, Kasur and Kalanaur. In 1577 A.D., the structure of both the tank and the town was completed.