The gilded gold dome and small minarets is the center of Sikh faith. Originally it was just a mud-house constructed by Guru Amar Das. He is said to have found a magical herb at the edge of the pool, which cured skin ailment. This Amrit Sarovar remained a village tank, until the fourth Guru Ram Das began to build a permanent structure.

Legend: Amritsar according to various legends is regarded as an ancient site. Valmiki is said to have written the Ramayana, near this Pool. It was here, that Sita is said to have stayed during the period of her vanvas (banishment). Yet another legend identifies this pool as the place where Lord Rama`s army was restored to life with the help of a jug of nectar that descended from heaven after being killed by Ram`s sons. Valmiki`s ashram is also said to have been a short distance from this Pool. The area was thickly forested and near the ashram was a hexagonal tank called Ram Tirth, approximately one kilometre from Amritsar; the other tanks nearby were Ramsar, Santokhsar, Ram Talai and Durgiana now centers of pilgrimage for Hindus and Sikhs.

History: In 1574 AD Guru Ram Das made his home by this poolside and it came to be called Guru-ka-Mahal. In 1577, Guru Ram Das purchased the pool and the surrounding land from its owners. Akbar is said to have offered a grant of twelve villages to the pool, many times but the Guru always declined the gift. Guru Ram Das got the tank excavated to construct a shrine at its centre.

In 1588 AD, Hazrat Mian Mir laid the foundation stone of Golden temple. The followers built their homes in the neighbourhood creating the town of Ramdaspur. The town derived its name Amritsar from the pool of nectar - amrit. The project was chalked out by Guru Amar Das and the plan was executed by Ram Das under the counsel of Baba Buddhaji.

The work was started by Guru Ram Das and was completed by his son and successor Guru Arjan Dev. It was in 1802 the town got incorporated in the dominion of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who donated extensively for its gold exterior. The architectural shape of the temple was also redesigned in 1808 AD with the help of skilled Muslim architects, masons and wood-carvers from Chaniot, now in Pakistan. The entire Naqqashi (floral decoration) and Jaratkari (stone inlay) work was done by these artisans under the supervision of Badaru-Mohiudin, the chief architect. After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839, the task of completing the work fell on three Sikhs.

The courtyard of the Golden Temple has been extended and remodeled many times in the present age.

Architecture of Golden temple
The boundary line of the pool was laid in AD 1570. The tank was named Amritsar and the town also came to be called by the same name. While the tank was under construction, Guru Arjan Dev consulted Baba Buddhaji and expressed his wish to raise a beautiful permanent structure in the pool of nectar. The object of Guru Arjan Dev in planning the structure was to combine both spiritual and temporal aspects, the combination of Nirgun and Sargun.

Places around the temple
Akal Takht
It faces the temple and was built by Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru in 1609. The semi-circular platform on a large square is the Durbar hall. All important gatherings are addresses from the Akal Takht. The structure has marble pillars, with a semi-circular platform with an open view towards the courtyard. The ceiling is gilded with ornamentations which have been added much later. The wall paintings also belong to a later period for many show Europeans. All the commandments affecting the community as a whole is issued from here. It has been pulled down many times and rebuilt. Weapons of Guru Hargobind and other Sikh heroes are preserved here. In 1984 the complex was seriously damaged during a conforntation between Sikh separatists and government troops, it was subsequently restored.

Guru Ka Langar
The community kitchen is served here 24 hours of the day and all are invited.

Guru Ram Das Niwas
This place is a free hostel. It has 228 rooms and 18 halls.

Other places of interest include:
Dukh Bhanjani Ber - Jujube tree that heals all and women with no issue are always granted their wish.
Thara Sahib
Ber Baba Budhaji
Gurudwara Ilachi Ber
Ath Sath Tirath - 68 holy places
Gurudwara Shaheed Bunga Baba Deep Singh

How to go:
By air: Amritsar is well connected by air and has national and international flights.

By road: Bus services for the various cities and towns in and around Amritsar and Lahore too. Within the city taxis, rented cars, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available.

By rail: nearest railhead is Amritsar.

Best time to go: Between November to March