Gurudwaras of World
Gateway to Sikhism proudly launches
Gurudwaras of World @ www.worldgurudwaras.com
Gateway to Sikhism proudly launches Gurudwaras of World @ www.worldgurudwaras.com on auspicious day of Khalsa Sajna Divas , Vaisakhi April 14th 2012. Worldgurudwaras.com will strive to be most comprehensive directory of Historical Gurudwaras and Non Historical Gurudwaras around the world.
The etymology of the term 'gurdwara' is from the words 'Gur (ਗੁਰ)' (a reference to the Sikh Gurus) and 'Dwara (ਦੁਆਰਾ)' (gateway in Gurmukhi), together meaning 'the gateway through which the Guru could be reached'. Thereafter, all Sikh places of worship came to be known as gurdwaras.
It is a work in progress and We strongly urge the Sikh Cyber Community to contribute to this project by submitting contact information, details, images of Gurudwaras around the world to make this a comprehensive directory.
Sikhism FAQs
Sikhism FAQs:Give a brief history of the Golden Temple?
Q91. Give a brief history of the Golden Temple? |
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Guru Ramdas wanted to give the Sikhs a central place of worship. For this reason he founded a township, called after his name in 1577. In 1589, Guru Arjan requested a Muslim divine named Mian Mir, to lay the foundation of the Sikh Temple. This is known as Har Mandar - God's House - popularly called the Golden Temple. The temple is an example of religious emotion exemplified in marble, glass, colour and gold. The shrine is encircled by a beautiful artificial lake: "The pool of nectar - Amritsar". The reflections of the Temple building in the water strikingly magnify the artistic concept of the whole structure.
The other seat of Sikh Power called 'Akal Takhat' was started in 1609
by Guru Hargobind for the holding of Diwans (Congregations) and other
special celebrations. It was partly rebuilt after the army attack in June
1984.
The Muslim Governor of Lahore took possession of the temple in 1736. Bhai
Mani Singh made an attempt to hold a special Diwali Diwan in the temple
in 1768. This proved unsuccessful and cost him his life. Lakhpat Rai,
the commandar of Mughal forces, occupied Amritsar in 1741.
Ahmed Shah Durrani attacked Amritsar on 10th April, 1762, damaged the temple and desecrated the tank. The Sikhs avenged this sacrilege by attacking the rear of his army.
The Golden Temple is regarded as an outstanding example of "Sikh architecture". It combines in its own right Hindu and Islamic features. Its styling adapts Moghul design with elaborations. Among its typical external features are four chhattries or kiosks which ornament the corners of Har Mandar's base. Inverted and guilded lotus flowers form its domes. Use is also made of oriel windows with shallow elliptic cornices supported on brackets. The arches are enriched with inlaid semiprecious stone foliations while the inner walls in addition to guilding and foliations also carry fresco paintings using the technique of Mohra Qashi (it is a special kind of decoration plaster).
The present temple and its decorations were undertaken in the times
of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He donated many precious articles. The Golden
Temple came under popular control in November 1920. The recent broadening
of the Parkarma and the development of the Central Sikh Museum have added
to the attractions of the temple. The desilting of the tank was last done
in 1973. Special celebrations were held in the Golden Temple in Oct. 1977
on the 400th Foundation Day of the city of Amritsar. The army attack on
the Golden Temple in June 1984 has left scars on the super-structure.
