It isn't surprising then that the Golden Temple receives visitors from all religions and faiths, 'in part perhaps because there is something strangely serene about this place' Tiwary writes here. 'Strange because serenity is not something you expect in a place thronged by millions of people every day. Yet, as you sit on the banks of the sarovar (lake), the ripples in the water, the chant of the granthi and the sight of Golden Temple's reflection all mesmerise you'.

The Harmandir Sahib, also Darbar Sahib and informally referred to as the "Golden Temple", is a prominent SikhGurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India. It was built by the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ramdaas Sahib Ji, in the 16th Century. In 1604,Guru Arjun completed the Adi Granth, the holy scripture of Sikhism, and installed it in the Gurudwara.

There are four doors to get into the Harmandir Sahib, which symbolize the openness of the Sikhs towards all people and religions. The present dayGurdwara was rebuilt in 1764 by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia with the help of other Sikh Misls. In the early nineteenth century, Maharaja Ranjit Singhsecured the Punjab region from outside attack and covered the upper floors of the Gurdwara with gold, which gives it its distinctive appearance and its English name.

The Harimandir Sahib is considered holy by Sikhs. The holiest text of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib, is always present inside the Gurdwara. Its construction was mainly intended to build a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religions to come and worship God equally.Over 100,000 people visit the holy shrine daily for worship.