The Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib, is a gurdwara in Amritsar, Punjab, India. It is the preeminent spiritual site of Sikhism. The Golden Temple is an open house of worship for all people, from all walks of life and faiths. If you are looking for the Golden Temple timings, location, and best time to visit, read on to find out more.
History of Golden Temple Amritsar
The temple was constructed by Guru Arjan Dev in 1604. The man-made pool on the temple site was completed by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das, in 1577. The Mughal and invading Afghan armies repeatedly destroyed the temple and was rebuilt by the Sikhs each time it was destroyed. Maharaja Ranjit Singh rebuilt it in marble and copper in 1809 and overlaid the sanctum with approximately 400 kg of gold leaf in 1830. This has led to the name the Golden Temple.
It has a square plan with four entrances and a circumambulation path around the pool. The four entrances to the gurudwara symbolize the Sikh belief in equality and that all people are welcome into their holy place. The complex is a collection of buildings around the sanctum and the pool. One of these is Akal Takht, the chief center of religious authority of Sikhism. Additional buildings include a clock tower, the offices of the Gurdwara Committee, a Museum, and a langar – a free Sikh community-run kitchen that offers a vegetarian meal to all visitors without discrimination
How to Reach the Golden Temple
The Golden Temple in Amritsar is easily accessible by air, rail, or road. The Amritsar Airport is about 13 kilometers from the Golden Temple, and you can hire a cab/auto or take a local bus to reach the shrine. The Amritsar Junction Railway Station is less than 2 kilometers from the shrine, so you can easily hire a cab or auto from here. However, if you are planning to reach by self-driven cars or cabs, please remember, that the roads leading to the Golden Temple are very narrow and cramped. Finding a parking spot is usually not easy, so be prepared to walk down the last leg of your journey to reach the shrine.
What to expect once you reach there
When you reach the vicinity of the Golden Temple, the first thing you will notice is overwhelming crowds, countless shops lining the lane selling numerous colorful wares, everything from chappals to musical instruments. Covering the head is essential when entering the Golden Temple and you will find several shops selling headbands and headscarves for nominal prices.
Once you enter the precincts of the temple, you will find a long section on the left with multiple counters(all of which are numbered) and this is where you will need to deposit your shoes in return for an identification tag. This is also run by the community and volunteers who wish to serve are the ones who are in charge of depositing and returning shoes.
On entering further, you will find taps. Please use these taps to wash your hands. Further ahead, there is a small stream of water that lies right at the gate to the Holy Shrine. Everyone has to step into this stream of water before entering the holy premises of the temple.
Golden Temple Timings
The Golden Temple in Amritsar is open throughout the year i.e. 365 days a year. The Kiwad (door/portal) opens at 2:30 a.m. and the first Hukamnama is given at 5:00 a.m. The temple closes with the departure of Palki Sahib from Sri Harimandir Sahib. The exact timings vary based on the season. It is best to check their website before visiting them.
Harmandir Sahib is extremely crowded during festivals and weekends. Hence ideal time to visit is during non-festival weekdays. You can expect to be done with the visit within 1.5 hours during such non-peak times. During peak times, the waiting time in queues can go up to 4 hours or more, so please plan accordingly. Further given the general weather and monsoon conditions in Amritsar, the best months to visit are October to mid-April when there is some respite from the sweltering heat.
The grandeur of the Golden Temple gets enhanced during certain times of the day when it is a picturesque beauty to behold. Here are a few tips that will ensure that the image of The Golden Temple remains etched in your memory for the years to come:
- Visit around dusk for the shortest queues and the best views. Lines to enter the inner sanctum are often extremely long, and it can sometimes take hours to get in. According to a few local tour guides, the best time to visit is on non-festival days is between 4 pm and 7 pm, as most tourists throng to other sightseeing spots at that point. During this period, time spent in the queue could be as little as 30 minutes. Moreover, you will be mesmerized when you see this spectacular gurudwara illuminated by the setting sun.
- Stay late to witness the Guru Granth Sahib being ‘put to sleep,’ or be there early when it ‘wakes up.’ I personally would recommend a visit at night for a different kind of mesmerizing view. Around 9 pm-11 pm, you will get the opportunity to see the closing rite called Sukhasan. While singing and chanting, people follow the Guru Granth Sahib as it is carried in a grand palki (palanquin) to its bedroom on the first floor of the Akal Takht. Devotees often shower the holy book with flowers as the procession passes by. A similar ritual, known as Prakash, is held before dawn: the book is carried back down, ceremoniously opened and a page is read aloud, giving the Guru’s message for the day. The exact timings of both rites vary according to months and seasons. So, as mentioned before, make sure to check before you visit.
- You visit at dawn. This is one of the favorite Golden Temple timings of most devotees. When the early morning rays of the sun reflect off the golden interface, it gives the entire shrine an otherworldly appearance, that would make you want to immerse yourself, literally and figuratively, in this spiritual experience.
FAQs
Q. What are the best Golden Temple timings for darshan?
The Golden Temple darshan timings on all days of the week is between 04:00 am and 10:00 pm. The doors to Harmandir Sahib open at around 3 AM. Devotees come together to carry the palanquin to the Golden Temple sanctum. Then, daily rituals like Ardas, Gurbani singing, and Hukamnama are carried out. However, this varies with the season. If you can plan your visit as per the timings mentioned by me in the post, you can complete the darshan in 30mins to 1 hour.
Q. Are bags allowed inside the Golden Temple?
Yes, bags are allowed. Before you enter the temple, just beside the shoe racks there is a baggage counter but there is absolutely no restriction on taking your bag inside.
Q. Are mobiles allowed inside the Golden Temple?
Yes, mobiles are allowed and you can also click picks inside the premises. However, inside the inner sanctum, you are strictly prohibited from any kind of photography.
Q. Can you wear jeans to the Golden Temple?
Yes, you can wear jeans. Temple authorities do not stop anyone from entering the premises so long as the heads are covered. However, keeping in mind the religious sentiments, it is best to be dressed decently.
Q. Is there any entry fee to enter the Golden Temple?
No, entry to the Golden Temple is free for all devotees from all walks of life.
So, dear readers, I hope I have been able to answer your questions regarding Golden Temple timings and what to expect when you visit. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave comments in the section below. I would love to hear from you. In case you are looking to plan a short trip to Amritsar, I would recommend reading my post on the 10 amazing things to do in Amritsar.
If you are looking for options in Kashmir, check out my posts on Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Snowfall in Kashmir, and Best Time to Visit Kashmir. If you are looking for options in Ladakh, check out Ladakh Weather, Nubra Valley, 5 Days Kashmir Itinerary, Best Packing tips for Ladakh & best tourist places in Ladakh.
If you are looking for something in Sikkim, check Tsomgo Lake and Batasia Loop. If you are looking for some jungle safari read, Gir Safari.
If you are looking for places to visit in the Andaman Islands, please check my post on Radhanagar Beach & Ross Island.
If you are looking for other options, check my posts on Murud Janjira, Kashid, Pirwadi Beach and Kihim Beach in Maharashtra or Malshej Ghat, Matheran Resorts & Mahabaleshwar. Alternatively, if you are interested in some Religious tourism, please check my posts on Golden Temple, Kamakhya, Trimbakeshwar, Somnath Temple, Kailash Temple Ellora and Kashi Vishwanath. If you are looking for North East Adventure tours, check my posts on Shillong, Meghalaya, Dawki, Double Decker Living Root Trek, and 7-Day North East Itinerary.
If you are looking for some spirituality, you can check out Ganga Aarti in Dashashwamedh Ghat or Ghats in Varanasi.
21 thoughts on “Best Golden Temple Timings & What to Expect”