Golden Temple, a symbol of communal harmony

Amritsar, Nov 13(ANI): Reaching out to serve and uplift humanity as an expression or devotion to the creator, the Sri Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple in Amritsar is a living example of communal harmony in the country.

Built in 1577 by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ramdas, its foundation stone was laid by the great Muslim Sufi saint of Lahore, Hazrat Mian Mir.

The Golden Temple is surrounded by water and has four entrances, which reflects acceptance, openness and invites all regardless of race or religion into the temple complex.

"When God is there that means nothing is communal there. If we go through 'Jaap Sahib', the bani by tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj there are given attribute - God is never communal, God is very graceful and benevolent. It's the people, the followers who are shortsighted who have created communalism," said Sardar Gurbachan Singh Bachan, Former secretary of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

The Golden Temple is one of the best known pilgrimage spots in the world, where throughout day and night, in all seasons and from all corners of the world, pilgrims seek its sanctum sanctorum.

"Sikhism is a unified religion and there is no restriction on those who visit the Golden Temple. Secondly, people of all faiths come here and they feel that it is their own place," said Dharamvir Yadav, a devotee from Maharashtra.

Amarjit Singh, another devotee from Punjab, said: "This sacred place is very ancient. Since Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh guru, established the city of Amritsar, people here have been very happy. People respect each other. 'Langar' or the community meal continues round the clock. People of all faiths are welcome here."

The Golden Temple houses the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

"We can learn many things from Golden Temple. We can also learn many things from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Whosoever knows the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, he will never be communal. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a message not to a community or any country. It is a global message that the cure for all conflicts is through the Sri Guru Granth Sahib," said Bachan.

A shining symbol of communal harmony, the Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar has contributed immensely to maintaining peace and tranquility in Punjab. By Ravinder Singh (ANI)