19-07-2008, 11:55 PM
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| |  :- History of Golden Temple -:
History of Golden Temple
The origin of the place Amritsar is still mysterious in the history. There are several legends that explain the existence of the pool of nectar (also called Amrit Kund). The History of Gurudwara Golden Temple in Amritsar can be traced in following steps of its evolution.
Site of the Golden Temple
Originally the site of Golden Temple was a low-lying are filled with water in the centre (called Dukh bhanjani beri) and surrounded by a large number of shady trees in a jungle. The area formed a commercial link between India and Afghanistan, so it was visited by a number of traders. Still nobody talked about the pool before Sikh Gurus visited it.
Legends connected with the Sarovar (pool of nectar or tank)
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. 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.
Construction Work
Some huts were constructed.
Excavation of the tank (Santokhsar) started.
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.
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.
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