Golden Temple Amritsar (Punjab)

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Sri Harmandir Sahib, also know as the Golden Temple in Amritsar is the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion. Also known as the Shri Darbar Shaib, it is in the center of the old part of Amritsar. Believed to have been built in 1588 by Guru Arjan Dev with a view to create a central site of worship for the Sikhs, the Golden Temple or Harmandir as it is called, symbolizes the philosophy of the religion through every detail of its architecture.

The history of Golden Temple says that the land for the site was acquired free of charge from the zamindars (landlords) of local villages. Exhibiting influences of both Hindu and Muslim styles of design, the Golden Temple architecture significantly flaunts a large dome of gold.

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Guru Amar Das Ji, third Guru of the Sikhs, discovered a herb to cure the ailment of Guru Angad Dev Ji, the second Guru of the Sikhs. The story of Rajni, daughter of Rai Duni Chand has associations with Sarovar Sahib (tank). The story goes like this: Rajni was a devout Sikh disciple of the Guru. One day her father brought some gifts for all three daughters. Other two daughters praised their father. Rajni said that the gifts were from God and their father was only a medium to deliver the gifts to them. Unfortunately, her father overheard the statement and in a fit of anger, he ordered her to marry a leper. She accepted her father’s wish. She had to struggle hard to sustain herself and her crippled husband. One day she placed the basket containing her husband near the pool of nectar and went for some work. In the meantime, her husband saw a black crow plunging in the water and coming out transformed into white color. Stunningly he watched all this and crawled towards the pool to take a plunge. He became perfectly fine and handsome. The couple thanked God and went to their Guru to narrate the miraculous incident and seek his blessing.

The fourth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Ram Das, excavated a tank in 1577 which subsequently became known as Amritsar (meaning: Pool of the Nectar of Immortality), giving its name to the city that grew around it. In due course, a splendid Sikh edifice, the Harmandir Sahib (Temple of God), was constructed in the middle of this tank which became the supreme centre of Sikhism. Its sanctum came to house the Adi Granth comprising compositions, Sikh values, philosophies and teachings of the Sikh Gurus and other saints of Guru Nanak’s time, e.g. Ravidas a Hindu Guru, Baba Farid a Sufi Sant (Saint) and Kabir, all of whom the Sikhs refer to as the Bhagats.

Guru Ram Das Ji found the place during his travels in the Majha region. He chose this place for establishing a new Sikh centre. He was told by Guru Amar Das Ji to execute the plan for the construction of a Sikh Pilgrim Centre. Some experienced elders were told to assist Guru Ram Das. A large number of Sikh devotees came forward for voluntary service.

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The location of the temple amid a pool, which was conceptualized by Guru Amar Dev, denotes the synthesis of nirgun and sargun – the spiritual and temporal realms of human existence.Although Guru Arjan Dev was instrumental in laying the foundation of the Gurudwara, the Golden Temple history says that its construction has been the result of several years’ evolution.

Even before the main shrine of the Gurudwara was laid, the pool had already been bordered with bricks under the supervision of Baba Budha ji. Guru Arjan Dev, with the principle intention of propagating the ethos of Sikhism, built the structure in sheer burnt brick and lime. Much later, during Maharajah Ranjit Singh’s reign (1799-1839), the temple was renovated and made into an architectural masterpiece, displaying a major sense of affluence along with, of course, the deep spirituality of the Sikh religion.

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Construction :

The golden Temple Amritsar, Originally built during AD 1574, the site of the temple was surrounded by a small lake in a thin forest. The 3rd of the six grand Mughals, emperor Akbar, who visited the 3rd Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das, at the neighbouring town of Goindval was so impressed by the way of life in the town that he gave a jagir to the Guru’s daughter Bhani as a gift on her marriage to Bhai Jetha, After completion of a part of the project, Bhai Jetha went to Goindwal to report regarding the progress of the work, he was told to dig another tank at the low level area near the site of the tank. Who later became the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das. Guru Ram Das enlarged the lake and built a small township around it. The town was named after Guru Ram Das as “Guru Ka Chak”, “Chak Ram Das” or “Ram Das Pura”.

Guru Ram Das Ji located the site for the second tank. It was amidst a large number of Ber (Jujube) trees. This tank came to be known as ‘Amrit Sarovar’. Along with the construction work, Guru Ji called a number of persons belonging to different tribes and occupations to settle near the tank. Like this a whole new village came up. There was a market to supply essential commodities to the settlers. For drinking water some wells were dug. Each and every care was taken to help the immigrants.

Soon after the completion of the project, the pool of nectar and the Temple were recognized as places of religious importance. The project was executed under supervision of Guru Arjan Dev assisted by Baba Budha, Bhai Gurdas and some other prominent Sikhs. Guru Arjan Dev Ji compiled Guru Granth Sahib (holy book of Sikhs) and the original book was installed in the premises of the Temple.

During the leadership of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1581–1606), the full-fledged Temple was built. In December 1588 the great Muslim Sufi saint of Lahore, Hazrat Mian Mir, a close friend of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, was asked to lay the corner stone (December 1588). The story has been told that a mason then straightened the stone, to which Guru Arjan said, as you have just undone the work of such a holy man, who knows what disaster might come to the Harmandir Sahib.

This story has been used to offer a reason why the temple has been attacked so many times by the Afghans and Mughals and even Inspected by force by Indian Army in 1984, during Operation Bluestar, which laid the foundation stone of Khalistan, the proposed rebellious Sikh Homeland.

The temple was completed in 1604. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, installed the Adi Granth in it and appointed Baba Buddha Ji as the first Granthi (Reader) of the temple on August 1604. In the mid-18th century it was attacked by one of Ahmed Shah Abdali’s generals, Jahan Khan, and his Afghan military forces, and had to be substantially rebuilt in the 1760s. However, in response a Sikh Army was sent to hunt down the Afghan force. Both forces met each other 5 miles outside Amritsar where Jahan Khan’s army was defeated, and Jahan Khan himself is believed to have been killed by Sardar Dayal Singh.

Kaasi Vishwanath Temple (Uttar pradesh)

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The Vishwanath temple in Benares in Uttar Pradesh is the destination of thousands of pilgrims that visit this ancient city. Probably the most famous site not just in India, but the world over, the Vishwanath shrine is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The name Varanasi is derived from the names of two rivers, Varana and As and this holy place is considered home to Shiva – Visweswara. Benares is also known as Kaasi because it is believed that Supreme brilliance shines there, and lights the way to salvation (Kas – to shine). Varanasi – Benares – Kaasi is considered to be the holiest of all pilgrimage sites in India and in fact people from all over the world come here to pay obeisance. This place is supposed to be God’s favourite place and hence the name Anandakanana but it is also known as Mahamasaanam where the five elements lie in this great cremation ground as will all dead bodies at the time of the final deluge.

This temple was desecrated and rebuilt several times. The latest structure dating back to the 18th century (thanks to the efforts of Rani Ahilyabhai Holkar who incidentally was also responsible for the building of the Grishneshwar temple in Aurangabad) is the main centre of attention for the millions of pilgrims who converge here, to perform an abhishekam to the sacred Jyotirlingam, with water from the Ganges. The temple can be approached from a lane called Vishwanatha lane. The temple is surrounded by many subsidiary shrines. A well called Jnana Vapi is also located to the north of the main temple. There are three temples in a row as one enters from the southern side of the first temple. There are many temples with their own set of llingas. So much so that often the confusion arises as to which enshrines the original Jyotirlinga.

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The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha.
In 1839, Two domes of the Temple were covered by gold donated by Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh.

Benares is also considered to be one of the Shakti Peethas of India. It is believed that the left hand of Sati fell at Varanasi, and that Annapurna or Visalakshi represent the Shakti Peetham here.

Nirvikar cahitanya and Sanatan Brahma have assumed the form of Saguna Vishwarupa from the initial Nirgun Roopa or form. The Shiva Shakti roopa became the Purusha (man) and Stree (the woman) again. Prakriti and Purusha (Nature and man) (Shiva-Shakti) were once ordained by Shiva to do tapas in the universe in order to create the best being. He specified the best place for this purpose. When a prayer was held, Nirgun Shiva, with His own powers and aura, created a wonderful city called Panchakoshi. Vishnu, who resided there, spent a lot of time praying to Shiva after which several watersprings originated there. Vishnu was amazed at this wonderous event, and even as he tilled his head, a gemstone fell from his ear. Because of this place, it was also called Manikarnika. The entire Panch Koshi area of Manikarnika waters were then gathered into the Trident by Shiva. Then from the navel of Vishnu was born a lotus flower with Brahma in it.

Brahma was ordained by Shiva to create a world, at which Brahma created this wonderful world. It had fifty crore Yojanas of area and fourteen lokas. In order to save the lives of these who are bound by their own actions or karma. Shiva kept panchakoshi city away from the entire universe. In this city, Shiva Himself established the saviour Muktidayak JyotirLinga, which He can never leave. Shiva removed this very Kashi from His Trident and set it in this mortal world. It was not to be destroyed when Brahma’s day ends, but during Pralay i.e., final destruction of the world, Shiva saved it by keeping it safe in his trident. So the kashi is called avimukta kshetra. In Kashi, the Avimukteshwar Linga is there forever. Those who can never hope for salvation, attain Moksha here.

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This holiest city of Panchakoshi, with its capacity to destroy every conceivable sin, is the vehicle of a special Moksha by the name “Samyugha”. That is the reason why this city which is ruled by Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha, is the place, where even divines want to die. Sarwaguna from inside and Tamoguna from outside, are the qualities of Rudra here. When prayed to, Vishwanatha Bahagavan Sri Shankar made this abode and resided there with Parvati.

Kedarnath Temple (Himalaya)

Kedarnath – the northernmost of the Jyotirlingas. Kedarnath, nestled in the snow clad Himalayas is an ancient shrine rich in legend and tradition. It is accessible only on foot, six months in a year. Kedarnath is situated at a distance of 234 Kms from Rishikesh and 251 Kms from Dehradun. Best season is from May to October except Monsoon. Heavy Woollen Clothes would be required if travel is undertaken in winter (September – November)

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One of the most important temples in the Himalayas, Kedarnath is amongst the major Shiva temples of the country. Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and one of the Panch Kedars and is located at the source of the river Mandakini. According to mythology the deity of Kedarnath temple is identified with the rump of a bull, a form assumed by Lord Shiva, when eluding the Pandavas, who had come to repent for killing their kith and kin, during the battle of Kurukshetra . When the Pandavas followed him to the site, he dived into the ground leaving behind him a hump on the surface. This conical projection is worshipped as the idol in the temple. The remaining parts of the body are worshipped at four other sites – the arms (Bahu) at Tungnath, mouth (mukh) at Rudranath, navel (nabhi) at Madmaheshwar and hair (jata) at Kalpeshwar. These five shrines collectively are known as the Panch Kedar.

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The Pandavas are given credit for building the temple of Kedarnath. The statue of Nandi, the divine bull of Shiva, stands at the entrance of the temple. The wall inside the temple, is exquisitely carved with images, and the temple houses a shiva lingam, which is worshipped by hordes of pilgrims. What is truly unique about the lingam is that it is pyramidal. During the war between the Kauravas and Pandavas, their own kith and kin gor killed. In order to absolve themselves of this sin, the Pandavas went for a pilgrimage. But Lord Vishweshwara was away in Kailasa in the Himalayas. On learning this, the Pandavas, left Kashi. They reached the Himalayas via Hardwar. They saw Lord Shankar from a distance. But Lord Shankara hid from them. Then Dharmaraj said: “Oh, Lord, You have hidden yourself from our sight because we have sinned. But, we will seek You out somehow. Only after we take your Darshan would our sins be washed away. This place, where You have hidden Yourself will be known as Guptkashi and become a famous shrine.”

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From Guptakashi (Rudraprayag), the Pandavas went ahead they reached Gaurikund in the Himalayas valleys. They wandered there in search of Lord Shankara. While doing so Nakul and Sahadev found a he-buffalo. It was unique to look at. Then! Bhemma went after the buffalo with his mace. The buffalo was clever and Bheema could not catch it. But Bheema managed to hit the buffalo with his mace. The buffalo had its face hidden in a crevice-in the earth. Bheema started to pull it by its tail. In this tug-of war, the face of the buffalo went straight to Nepal, leaving its hind part in Kedar. The face of the buffalo is known as Pashupatinath in Nepal.

On this hind part of Mahesha, a glorious JyotirLinga appeared. Lord Shankara appeared from this great light. He appeared before the pandavas. By getting a Darshan of Lord Shankar, the pandavas were absolved of their sins. The Lord told the Pandavas, “From now on, I will remain here as a triangular shaped JyotirLinga. By taking a Darshan of Kedarnath, devotees would attain piety”. Near Kedarnath, there are many symbols of the Pandavas Raja Pandu died here, when he tried to make love to Madri. This place is famous as Pandukeshwar. The tribals here perform a dance called “Pandav Nritya”. The mountain top where the Pandavas went to Swarga, is known as “Swargarohini”. When Darmaraja was leaving for Swarga, one of his fingers fell on the earth. At that palce, Dharmaraj installed a Shiva Linga, which is the size of the thumb.

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To gain Mashisharupa, Shankara and Bheema fought with maces. Bheema was struck with remorse. He started to massage Lord Shankara’s body with ghee. In memory of this event, even today, this triangular Shiva JyotirLinga is massaged with ghee. Shankara is worshipped here in this manner. Water and Bel leaves are used for worship. When Nar-nrayan went to Badrika village and started the worship of Parthiva, Shiva appeared before them. A few days later, a pleased Shiva granted them some boons. Nar-narayan wished that for the welfare of the humanity, Shiva should remain there in his original form. Granting their wish, in the snow-clad Himalayas, in a place called Kedar, Mahesha himself stayed there as a Jyoti. Here, He is known as Kedareshwara.

By visiting Kedareshwar, sorrows do not come even in dreams. By worshipping Shambara (Kedareshwar) Pandavas were rid of all theor sorrows. Badri-Keshwar’s darshan rids one of the material ties. Whoever gives Dan (alms) at Kedareshwar, just gets assimilated into Shivaroopa. Around the main Kedarnath temples, there are many holy places. At the back, there is the Samadhi of Shankarachrya. A little further up, there is dangerous cliff called Bhariguptan (Bhairav Udan). One has to pass through dreadful, and life threatening circumstances. But what one gets is not Mrityu (Death) but Moksha (Salvation). On all the eight sides of the temple, there are eight shrines.

In short, it is to say that in order to visit Kedarnath, JyotirLinga, one has to go through a treacherous route. But when people are determined and dedicated, they never get tired. Every one keeps chanting Jay Kedarnath! Jay Kedarnath!!