Om Sai Ram
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I have no idea , if I ever will be lucky enough to go on a teerth yatra in reality .But I have tried my level best to capture the sight of these sacred shrines in each and every angle so that we all get a feel that we have been there in our own small way to pay our respects to the sacred Gods, Godessess, temples, shrines, saints ,Gurus and everything realted to them ..Plz forgive me and my ignorance for all the small mistakes that I might be doing..I pray to Sai to guide me and be with all of us to show us the way to these holy places.
[You can click on any of the below pictures to see the larger view or to save it to ur computer]
Above is the Aerial View of the Sacred Golden temple of Amritsar in India and the below picture shows the panoromic view of this Beautiful Golden temple
The Harmandir Sahib (or Hari Mandir) in Amritsar, Punjab, is the holiest shrine in Sikhism. Previously (and still more commonly) known as the Golden Temple, it was officially renamed Harmandir Sahib in March 2005..
Many popular myths and legends are connected with the origin of the Amrit Sarowar (Tank of Nectar). It is said that Guru Amar Das found on the banks of the pool the desired herb for the skin ailment of Guru Angad (the second Guru of the Sikhs). A persistent local tradition highlights the medicinal properties of the waters of the pond: Rajni, the daughter of Rai Dhuni Chand, a kardar (revenue collector) of Patti, brought her leper husband here and he was cured after having a dip in the pond. It is said that Ram Das (at that time, on a visit to a nearby area) came to the place to investigate the above episode and was so much impressed with the beauty of the surroundings that he decided to make it a pilgrim center.
The Harmandir Sahib (or Hari Mandir) in Amritsar, Punjab, is the holiest shrine in Sikhism. Previously (and still more commonly) known as the Golden Temple, it was officially renamed Harmandir Sahib in March 2005..
Many popular myths and legends are connected with the origin of the Amrit Sarowar (Tank of Nectar). It is said that Guru Amar Das found on the banks of the pool the desired herb for the skin ailment of Guru Angad (the second Guru of the Sikhs). A persistent local tradition highlights the medicinal properties of the waters of the pond: Rajni, the daughter of Rai Dhuni Chand, a kardar (revenue collector) of Patti, brought her leper husband here and he was cured after having a dip in the pond. It is said that Ram Das (at that time, on a visit to a nearby area) came to the place to investigate the above episode and was so much impressed with the beauty of the surroundings that he decided to make it a pilgrim center.
Actually, it was in 1574 A.D., that Guru Ram Das made his home by the side of the pool, which was regarded as blessed with miraculous powers of healing. The place where the Guru lived was known as Guru-ka-Mahal. In 1577, Guru Ram Das, finding the air and water of his abode health-giving, purchased the pool and some surrounding land from its owners, the neighbouring Jats. Several times, Emperor Akbar had himself offered the grant of twelve villages to the pool, but the Guru had, on every occasion, declined the gift. One of the first acts of Guru Ram Das was to excavate the tank further, to construct a shrine at the centre.
The foundation stone of this temple was laid by the renowned Muslim Sufi divine, Hazrat Mian Mir of Lahore, at the specific request of Guru Arjan Dev. The followers of the Guru built their houses in the neighbourhood. And thus there speedily came into existence a small town called Ramdaspur. The town derived its later name, Amritsar, from the holy tank or the Pool of Immortality, ig the centre of which now stands the Hari Mandir or Darbar Sahib – nowadays more commonly known as the Golden Temple. The sacred building was completed by the son and successor of Guru Ram Das, Arjan Dev. In the lifetime of the fifth Guru, a flourishing town had begun to grow around the holy site. As the followers of Sikhism increased in number, the town grew in stature.
The temple was completed in 1601, but restoration and embellishment continued over the years. The temple had to be substantially rebuilt after it was sacked in the 1760s.
[Early morning meditation at the Harmandir Sahib]
In the early 19th century, 100 kg of gold were applied to the inverted lotus-shaped dome and decorative marble was added. All this gold and marble work took place under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The legendary warrior king was a major donor of money and materials for the shrine and is remembered with much affection by the Sikh community and Punjabi people.
In June 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered an attack on armed Sikh militants holed up in the Golden Temple. Over 500 people were killed in the ensuing firefight, and Sikhs around the world were outraged at the desecration of their holiest site. Four months after the attack, Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards, leading to a massacre followed in which thousands of Sikhs lost their lives.
The Sikh community refused to allow the central government to repair the damage to the temple, instead undertaking the work themselves. Although most of the damaged been repaired, the incident has not been forgotten. Many people in Amritsar are still anxious to explain the Sikh side of the story to visitors.
The Sikh community refused to allow the central government to repair the damage to the temple, instead undertaking the work themselves. Although most of the damaged been repaired, the incident has not been forgotten. Many people in Amritsar are still anxious to explain the Sikh side of the story to visitors.
[Sikhs walk along the marble floors of the Golden Temple complex. ]
Despite its great sacred status, the Golden Temple is open to visitors, like all Sikh temples. The only restrictions are that visitors must not drink alcohol, eat meat or smoke in the shrine. Most visitors to the Golden Temple, whether Sikh or not, are humbled by what is quite simply the most tangibly spiritual place in the country. Arrive with a few good hours set aside and get lost in its magical beauty. Visitors must leave their shoes at the facility near the entrance, cover their head (bandanas are provided, or you can buy a souvenir bandana from a vendor), and wash their feet by wading through the shallow pool before entering.
Despite its great sacred status, the Golden Temple is open to visitors, like all Sikh temples. The only restrictions are that visitors must not drink alcohol, eat meat or smoke in the shrine. Most visitors to the Golden Temple, whether Sikh or not, are humbled by what is quite simply the most tangibly spiritual place in the country. Arrive with a few good hours set aside and get lost in its magical beauty. Visitors must leave their shoes at the facility near the entrance, cover their head (bandanas are provided, or you can buy a souvenir bandana from a vendor), and wash their feet by wading through the shallow pool before entering.
The most famous and sacred part of the Golden Temple complex is the Hari Mandir (Divine Temple) or Darbar Sahib (Court of the Lord), which is the beautiful golden structure at the center of a large body of water. The gold-plated building features copper cupolas and white marble walls encrusted with precious stones arranged in decorative Islamic-style floral patterns. The structure is decorated inside and out with verses from the Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy book).
Connecting the pathway with the Hari Mandir is a marble causeway called the Guru's Bridge, which symbolizes the journey of the soul after death. The gateway to the bridge, the Darshani Deorhi, has magnificent silver doors.
The water that surrounds the Hari Mandir is a sacred pool known as the Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar). The temple is reached by following the Parikrama, which circumscribes the sacred pool in a clockwise direction. Darbar Sahib was built with four doors to show that every religion or faith is allowed to go in to meditate or just listen to the prayers for peace.
[Hari Mandir (Divine Temple) at the center of the Golden Temple complex. ]
Connecting the pathway with the Hari Mandir is a marble causeway called the Guru's Bridge, which symbolizes the journey of the soul after death. The gateway to the bridge, the Darshani Deorhi, has magnificent silver doors.
The water that surrounds the Hari Mandir is a sacred pool known as the Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar). The temple is reached by following the Parikrama, which circumscribes the sacred pool in a clockwise direction. Darbar Sahib was built with four doors to show that every religion or faith is allowed to go in to meditate or just listen to the prayers for peace.
[Hari Mandir (Divine Temple) at the center of the Golden Temple complex. ]
The 52-metre square-based Hari Mandir, to which the causeway leads, stands on a 20-metre square platform. Its lower parts are of white marble, but the upper parts are covered with plates of gilded copper.
In the interior, on the ground floor, is the Guru Granth Sahib, placed under a gorgeous canopy, studded with jewels.
In the interior, on the ground floor, is the Guru Granth Sahib, placed under a gorgeous canopy, studded with jewels.
This is the pic of the ceiling of the Golden Temple on the second floor.
On the second storey is a pavilion known as Shish Mahal or Mirror Room, so designed as to have a square opening in the centre to view from there the ground floor, with the further provision of a narrow circumambulatory around the square opening.
The interior of the Shish Mahal is ornamented with small pieces of mirror, of various sizes and shapes, skillfully inlaid in the ceiling, and walls richly embellished with designs, mostly floral in character.
This brilliant photograph of the interior of the Hari Mandir, with the Granthi turning the pages of the holy book, while worshipper stands before the Gospel, animates the holy scene with a masterly grasp of depth into the spirit of the interior .
This brilliant photograph of the interior of the Hari Mandir, with the Granthi turning the pages of the holy book, while worshipper stands before the Gospel, animates the holy scene with a masterly grasp of depth into the spirit of the interior .
The fascinating scene inside the Hari Mandir is televised throughout India for Sikh viewers. Amidst a crowd of fervent and solemn devotees, scriptures from the Holy Book are sung beneath a canopy studded with jewels.
A chauri (whisk) is continually waved above the Book as lines of Sikhs pay their respects by touching their foreheads to the temple floor and walls, continuing in a clockwise direction at a relaxed pace.
Every night, the Granth Sahib is carried in procession along this bridge to its "bed" in the Akal Takht, the seat of the Sikh parliament (built 1609). Called the Palki Sahib, this nightly ceremony provides a chance for all male pilgrims and visitors to actively participate in the veneration of the Holy Book. Lines form in front of and behind the heavy palanquin and each man shoulders the burden for a few seconds before passing it along, forming a human conveyer belt that allows everyone to participate and everyone to rest. The ceremony usually takes place at 11pm in summer at 9:30pm in winter.
A visit to the Golden Temple is incomplete without a visit to the following among others-
AKAL TAKHAT
AKAL TAKHAT
It rightly faces the Golden Temple. Built by the Sixth Master Guru Hargobind (1606-44) in 1609, has been the nerve centre or the Sikhism ever since. All commandments affecting the community as a whole were and are issued from here. The Akal Takhat was used for holding court and Sikh congregations in the days of its builder. The Akal Takhat was pulled down several times by the Muslim raiders. The ground floor of the present building was constructed in 1 874. Three storeys were subsequently added by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. A number of weapons used by Guru Hargobind, Guru Gobind Singh and other Sikh heroes are preserved at Akal Takhat. In 1984 during Operation Blue Star Akal Takhat was badly damaged by the Indian Army.
BABA ATAL
BABA ATAL
A nine-storeyed tower, built in memory of Atal Rai (D. 1628), a son of Hargobind, is called Baba Atal. Atal Rai died at nine. He was called 'Baba' (an old man) head over young shulders. The tower was built between 1778 and 1784. It is the only of its kind in the city with 108 ft. height.
GURU KA LANGARA
Sikh temple without a Community Kitchen is inconceivable. Cooked food is serviced in the kitchen of the Golden Temple 24 hours to all visitors irrespective of religion, caste, creed and nationality. The expenses are met out of the Temple funds. Approximately 40,000 visitors share the meals everyday presently.
SRI GURU RAM DAS NIWAS
GURU KA LANGARA
Sikh temple without a Community Kitchen is inconceivable. Cooked food is serviced in the kitchen of the Golden Temple 24 hours to all visitors irrespective of religion, caste, creed and nationality. The expenses are met out of the Temple funds. Approximately 40,000 visitors share the meals everyday presently.
SRI GURU RAM DAS NIWAS
The Niwas is a free hostel for the pilgrims maintained by the Temple authorities. It has been built by the Gurdwara Committee. It has 228 rooms and 18 big halls. Unlike the ordinary 'Daramsalas' the Niwas supplies the facilities of free beddings, cots, lights and fans etc. to the lodgers. A lodger is not generally allowed to stay here for more than three days at a time. The doors of the hostels are open to all. The lodgers however must not do anything repugnant to the teachings of Sikhism.
THE SGPC OFFICES
THE SGPC OFFICES
The headquarters of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee are located in the Teja Singh Samundri Hall near the Golden Temple. The Gurdwara Act 1925, transferred the control of the historical Sikh Shrines in the Punjab to the SGPC. It is a representative body of the Sikhs elected by adult franchise. Among the other objects of interest in and around the Golden Temple worth mentioning are :
Dukh Bhanjni Ber (Jujube Tree)
Thara Sahib
Ber Baba Budha Ji
Gurdwara llachi Ber
Ath Sath Tirath (Sixty eight holy places condensed into one)
Gurdwara Shaheed Bunga Baba Deep Singh
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Dukh Bhanjni Ber (Jujube Tree)
Thara Sahib
Ber Baba Budha Ji
Gurdwara llachi Ber
Ath Sath Tirath (Sixty eight holy places condensed into one)
Gurdwara Shaheed Bunga Baba Deep Singh
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Message from the teachings of Sai baba for 17th September
Faith in Baba Works Wonders
Very rarely do we come across men and women devoid of selfish nature. Although, at first, we might have prayed to Baba to get our worldly, selfish desires fulfilled, our grateful hearts thankfully remember Baba for the hardships we could overcome by His grace. Gratitude to Baba gets transformed into deep devotion and faith in Baba. The eagerness to know more about Baba will grow. As our faith in Baba gets strengthened, our fears are blasted. Our soul experiences indescribable peace as our minds relax in the cool shade of Baba's grace. The heavy heart gets unburdened. Right solutions to our problems flash in our minds. We feel a sense of psychological security. We understand the Glory and Grace of Baba. A sense of self-assurance that 'I belong to Baba' wells up in one's mind. When we cast all our burdens on Baba, in total surrender, without any trace of worry or anxiety, we become fearless spectators, forget ourselves and joyously ride in the flower-decked palanquin of the Divine Grace of Sai. We will ecstatically float tirelessly on the waves of the Serene Light of Sai Love and collect Baba-blessed divine jewels of joy and peace. We delight in sharing the divine jewels of Baba's grace with our fellow beings. The unshakable and unbreakable faith we repose in Baba will stand us in good stead through thick and thin.
Very rarely do we come across men and women devoid of selfish nature. Although, at first, we might have prayed to Baba to get our worldly, selfish desires fulfilled, our grateful hearts thankfully remember Baba for the hardships we could overcome by His grace. Gratitude to Baba gets transformed into deep devotion and faith in Baba. The eagerness to know more about Baba will grow. As our faith in Baba gets strengthened, our fears are blasted. Our soul experiences indescribable peace as our minds relax in the cool shade of Baba's grace. The heavy heart gets unburdened. Right solutions to our problems flash in our minds. We feel a sense of psychological security. We understand the Glory and Grace of Baba. A sense of self-assurance that 'I belong to Baba' wells up in one's mind. When we cast all our burdens on Baba, in total surrender, without any trace of worry or anxiety, we become fearless spectators, forget ourselves and joyously ride in the flower-decked palanquin of the Divine Grace of Sai. We will ecstatically float tirelessly on the waves of the Serene Light of Sai Love and collect Baba-blessed divine jewels of joy and peace. We delight in sharing the divine jewels of Baba's grace with our fellow beings. The unshakable and unbreakable faith we repose in Baba will stand us in good stead through thick and thin.
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