Page 205 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

INDIA 203

GURU PARAB Hari Ma ndi r J>-
The festival of Guru Parab celebrates
Guru Nanak's birthday on a full Moon
night in late October-early November
(date varies) It is particularly spectacular
at the Golden Temple, which is ~ AkaiTakht
illuminated by thrusands of I amps.

~ Darshani Deorhi ----o,-::,:::'-"~=­
This gateway provides
the first glimpse of the
temple's inner sanctum.
It has two splendid silver
doors and sacred verses
carved on its walls.

Darshani
Deorhi l>-

Amrit Sarovar
The pool where Sikhs
are baptized was built
in 15 77 by Ram Das,
the 4th guru.
~ Causeway
The 200-ft (60-m) long marble
Aka I Ta kht l>-
causeway is flanked by nine The seat of the supreme
gilded lamps on each side, and
leads to the temple across the governing body of the Sikhs,
Amrit Sarovar. this houses the gurus' swords
and flagstaffs, as well as the
Holy Book at night.
Y Guru Granth Sahib

Sheesh Mahal >
The Hall of Mirrors, on
the top floor of the H ari
Mandi r, has a curved
banga/darroof, and its
floors are swept with a
special broom made of
peacock feathers.

KEY DATES
1589-1601 1760s 1776 1830 1984 2003
The Golden Temple Muslim Afghans The Khalsa (Sikh Maharaja Ranjit The temple is The Punjab govern-
is constructed, attack the Golden Commonwealth) Singh adorns the damaged during ment funds an
under the care of Temple and raze it rebuild the Golden temple's dome Operation Blue extensive project
the Sikhs' 4th guru, to the ground on Temple. with gold. Star, undertaken by to beautify the
Arjan Dev. several occasions. the arm)' to flush area around the
out extremists. Golden Temple.
Causeway A