The Golden Temple: Symbol of Equality and Fraternity

Photos by Anna Parisi - August 2017

The Golden Temple, a magical place filled with spirituality, is a Sikh temple located in Amritsar, Punjab, which is the center of Sikhism.

Its origins date back to the mid 16th century.
It is considered the most sacred temple of their religion, their "holy saint".

It is a pilgrimage site where you go at least once in your life to pray and offer your supplications, as well as being a world-class tourist attraction.
The temple is best known in the Western world as the "Golden Temple". However, his real name is Harmandir Sahib, or Darbar Sahib.

The temple is surrounded by a small lake, known as the Sarovar, like Amrit or "Holy Water".
There are four entrances to the temple, which symbolize the importance of acceptance and openness.
Anyone who wants to enter to the Harmandir Sahib can do it, indipendently from religion, color, belief or sex.
It’s forbidden drink alcohol, eat meat, smoke cigarettes or other drugs while in the sanctuary.
All Sikh temples in the world follow this traditional rule, according to which everyone is free to enter.
Before entering the Harmandir Sahib, everyone should cover their heads in a respectful sense, and wash their feet in the small lake.

The Sikh Temple is called Gurudwara (master's house) and it is divided in two sections: the first one for prayer and the second one for daily service.

The two characteristics of a Gurdwara are the congregation 'Sangat' (the meeting of people) and 'Pangat' (community cuisine also known as 'Guru-Ka-Langar'). This community kitchen is created to feed all believers, pilgrims and visitors.

It is a symbol of equality and fraternity.
It is the place where people of high and low extraction, rich and poor, educated and ignorant, kings and beggars, all share the same food, sitting together in a single row.
Pangat is subsidized with the contributions by all Sikhs.
The establishment of 'Langar' (common kitchen) serves to create social equality between the whole human race.