The Foundation of the Golden Temple

In 1588, the Fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, decided to build a central place of worship for the Sikhs in the middle of the sacred pool of Amritsar (the pool of nectar). This shrine would be called Sri Harmandir Sahib (The Temple of God), now widely known as the Golden Temple.

Unlike traditional Hindu temples which usually had a single entrance facing east and were built on a raised platform, the Guru designed Harmandir Sahib with four doors opening to the North, South, East, and West. This symbolized that the temple was open to people of all four castes and all four directions of the world.

Furthermore, the temple was built at a level lower than the surrounding land, signifying that one must step down with humility to enter the presence of God.

To send the ultimate message of universal brotherhood and interfaith harmony, Guru Arjan Dev Ji did not lay the foundation stone himself, nor did he invite a Hindu priest or a Sikh scholar.

Instead, he invited his close friend, the highly revered Muslim Sufi saint of Lahore, Hazrat Mian Mir. The Muslim saint laid the first brick, cementing the foundation of the holiest Sikh shrine.

It is said that a mason accidentally shifted the brick slightly to align it. The Guru prophesied that because the foundation was disturbed, the temple would be attacked and rebuilt in the future, a prophecy that came true during the Afghan invasions.