This erstwhile city in the northern part of India has seen history of the nation in its rawest yet richest form. The political ups and downs measured during the British colonial rule had a shadow on the cultural history of the Hindus and Sikhs living in this region too. The population of this city of Amritsar has two major divisions, viz. Sikhs and Hindus. Home to the Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple situated here is the cultural and spiritual center for the Sikhs. Golden temple is surrounded by a huge lake that is called the Sarovar. Water stored in it is called ‘Amrit’, the “nectar for immortality” or “holy water”.

Tourists can enter the temple through 4 entrances. This very idea signifies openness and acceptability. There are the shrines of a number of past Sikh gurus inside the shrine. These gurus are considered by either martyrs or saints by the Sikh people. Three holy trees in the compound signify a Sikh saint or a historical event. Memorial plaques inside the shrine are put up to commemorate past significant historical events, martyrdoms, saints. Commemorative inscriptions for all other Sikh soldiers, who died in the World War II are also there.

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