The revered Sikh Shrine Shri Harmandir Sahib (famous as Shri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple) always welcomes you with the melodious Gurbani Kirtan. But, what is the kirtan schedule of Shri Darbar Sahib? If you are travelling to Amritsar, Punjab for the first time and want to enjoy every ceremony along with the spellbinding shabads (Hymns), here’s your complete guide.
Golden Temple, popular as Shri Harmandir Sahib or Shri Darbar Sahib, is one of the sacred shrines. Besides being a most significant religious site of the Sikhs, the Golden Temple is also a symbol of brotherhood and equality.
Located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, the Golden Temple is a beautiful and noble place of peace. Due to the 24-Karat Gold Plating, Shri Harmandir Sahib is renowned as the Golden Temple or Swarn Mandir.
The construction of the Golden Temple began in 1581 and was accomplished in 1604. In 1578 Guru Ram Das excavated a tank (Chhaprhhi and then Amrit Sarovar), which subsequently became known as Amritsar. This further gave the name to the holy city Amritsar. In due course, the Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple), was built in the middle of this tank or Sarovar and became the supreme centre of Sikhism.
Although it is Sikh Gurdwara, the ‘Golden Temple’ name itself signifies that it is open to all religions. Not only this, the foundation stone of the complex was laid by a Muslim. According to Sikh History, the fifth Sikh Suru Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji invited one of his friends and the great modern mysticism Buddhist and Muslim scholar Mir Mohammad Muayyinul Islam, commonly known as Mian Mir, who then laid the foundation stone for the temple.
Best Places to Stay in Amritsar Near Golden Temple
Not only a prominent Sikh Gurudwara, but the Golden Temple is truly an impressive sight. There is a free bus facility for both the pilgrims and tourists for pick and drop service from the Amritsar railway station to the golden temple.
Upon your visit to the spiritual site Shri Harmandir Sahib, you can book an accommodation at the following places that are located near the holy shrine:
- Inside the Golden Temple Complex
- Guru Arjan Dev Niwas (Sarai), simple accommodation with a shared bathroom reserved for tourists
- Mata Gujri Niwas
- New Akal Rest House
- Guru Ram Das Niwas
- Guru Nanak Niwas
- Guru Hargobind Niwas
- Mata Ganga Ji Niwas
- Saragarhi Sarai
- Guru Gobind Singh Ji NRI Yatri Niwas, a 3-minute walk from Golden Temple
Do remember that you have to make a reservation for your room at any of these Niwas Asthans by paying nominal charges. This is so because you may experience the heavy rush of pilgrims visiting Golden Temple daily and getting a vacant room sometimes becomes near impossible. Besides this, in case no room is available in these Sarais, then you can go to other places like luxury hotels, and paid accommodations near Golden Temple. With this, the question of ‘where to stay in Golden Temple’ is solved!
Complete Darbar Sahib Kirtan Schedule with Time Table
| Ceremony | ਕੱਤਕ ਤੋਂ ਮਾਘ | ਫੱਗਣ, ਅੱਸੂ | ਚੇਤ, ਭਾਦੋਂ | ਵੈਸਾਖ, ਸਾਵਣ | ਜੇਠ, ਹਾੜ੍ਹ |
| Kirtan After Portal Opening | 3:00 AM | 2:45 AM | 2:30 AM | 2:15 AM | 2:00 AM |
| Beginning of Aasa Di Vaar | 3:55 AM | 3:45 AM | 3:30 AM | 3:15 AM | 3:00 AM |
| Departure of Palki Sahib From Shri Akal Takht Sahib | 5:00 AM | 4:45 AM | 4:30 AM | 4:15 AM | 4:00 AM |
| First Hukamnama | 5:30 AM | 5:15 AM | 5:00 AM | 4:45 AM | 4:30 AM |
| Completion of Aasa Di Vaar | 7:00 AM | 6:45 AM | 6:30 AM | 6:15 AM | 5:00 AM |
| Rehras Sahib and Second Hukamnama | 7:00-7:15 PM | 6:45-7:00 PM | 6:30-6:45 PM | 6:15-6:30 PM | 6:00-6:15 PM |
| Night Hukamnama Samapati | 9:30 PM | 9:45 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:15 PM | 10:30 PM |
| Walking of Palki Sahib towards Shri Akal Takht Sahib | 9:45 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:15 PM | 10:30 PM | 10:45 PM |
How to Say Punjabi Months in English?
| Punjabi Gurmukhi | Punjabi Months Duration | Transliteration |
| ਵੈਸਾਖ | Mid-April to mid-May | Vaisakh |
| ਜੇਠ | Mid-May to mid-June | Jeth |
| ਹਾੜ੍ਹ | Mid-June to mid-July | Harh |
| ਸਾਵਣ | Mid-July to mid-August | Sawan |
| ਭਾਦੋਂ | Mid-August to mid-September | Bhadon |
| ਅੱਸੂ | Mid-September to mid-October | Assu |
| ਕੱਤਕ | Mid-October to mid-November | Katak |
| ਮੱਘਰ | Mid-November to mid-December | Maghar |
| ਪੋਹ | Mid-December to mid-January | Poh |
| ਮਾਘ | Mid-January to mid-February | Magh |
| ਫੱਗਣ | Mid-February to mid-March | Phagun |
| ਚੇਤ | Mid-March to mid-April | Chet |
Places to See in and Near Golden Temple
Apart from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, you can visit other places of interest throughout the temple complex such as:
- Shri Akal Takhat Sahib
- Dukh Bhanjani Beri
- Ancient Sundial (Sun Clock), located on the bridge (way to Shri Darbar Sahib)
- Beri Baba Budha Sahib Ji
- Sikh History Museum
- Gurudwara Baba Atal Rai, etc.
Bonus: The sacred lake is a great place to stroll among the lively crowds and experience the city’s cultural and religious significance to the Sikhs.
When visiting the city of Amritsar, the only thing that comes to most travellers’ minds is:
- Wagah Border
- Jallianawala Bagh
- Partition Museum
- Baba Atal Tower
- Gobindgarh Fort
- Durgiana Temple
- Gurudwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib
- Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum
- And, a Few More
Important Things to Remember During Your Visit to Golden Temple
- Upon arriving at the Golden Temple complex you will be required to cover your head with a scarf, handkerchief, etc. over your head. If you do not have one, either you can buy it from the nearby shops or the free ‘Rumalas’ are available at every entrance of the Gurudwara.
- Remove your shoes and wash your hands & feet by walking through pools before entering the temple.
- Every entrance of Shri Harmandir Sahib gives a provision to keep your shoes, and luggage free of cost and get a token to receive the same thereafter.
- You must switch off your mobiles or put them on silent before entering the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Any kind of drug is strictly prohibited inside the holy premises.
- Photography is also prohibited in the complex.
- You can take a dip in the holy Sarovar (pool of nectar) but the use of soap or shampoo is not allowed.
- After taking a holy bath, the wet clothes must be squeezed into the drainage and can then be deposited in a Wet-Clothes-Room (Gathri Ghar).
- Swimming in the Sarovar is not allowed.
- Do not accept eatables, especially Prasad from strangers.
- Dress Appropriately. Wearing Shorts or Capris is not allowed.
- Do not throw anything in the pool
- Walk Clockwise around the pool and Golden Temple
- Have your langar (Free Meal) in the community kitchen (Langar Hall) sitting cross-legged.
- Accept the Prasad with two hands
- Put the money or your offering in the Golak.
- Always know the darbar sahib kirtan schedule before visiting the complex so that you could not be missing any ceremony
How to Reach the Golden Temple?
You can visit the Religion Tourism in India by the following modes:
By Rail: Get on a train journey through the nearest Railway Station named Amritsar Junction Railway Station(ASR).
By Air: Book a flight to the nearest airport to Amritsar-ATQ, known as the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport near Rajasansi.
By Road: Book a Bus/Cab/Taxi with the Best Tour and Travel Company in India and find yourself the best place where you would stay in Golden Temple.
