Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib)
Sikhism's holiest shrine, a gold-leaf sanctum in the middle of the Amrit Sarovar pool, open to people of every faith with free entry and a free community kitchen.
Overview
The Golden Temple in Amritsar is the holiest shrine of Sikhism and the most visited of the places to visit in Amritsar. Entry is free, and the langar kitchen serves meals to every visitor.
Harmandir Sahib, known to the world as the Golden Temple, stands in the middle of the Amrit Sarovar, the pool that gave Amritsar its name. Guru Ram Das completed the pool in 1577, and in 1604 Guru Arjan installed the Adi Granth in the shrine. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times; Maharaja Ranjit Singh rebuilt it in marble and copper in 1809 and had the sanctum covered in gold leaf in 1830, which gave it the English name.
The complex has four entrances, one on each side, which Sikhs read as a sign that people of all castes and faiths are welcome. A causeway leads from the parikrama, the marble walkway around the pool, to the sanctum. The Akal Takht, the chief seat of Sikh religious authority, faces the causeway. The Guru Ram Das langar kitchen serves a free vegetarian meal to every visitor. Visitors cover their heads, remove shoes and socks, and wash their feet at the entrance.
Independent guides describe the evening ceremony of taking the Guru Granth Sahib to rest as a good reason to stay late, and early morning and late night as the quietest periods. The complex has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status and is on the tentative list.
Entry fees
Entry
All visitors
No entry fee for any visitor, per an independent information site (not SGPC). Langar meals are also free.
Source: Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) – independent information site
Free
Needs verification
Entry and langar are free. Donations are voluntary. No official SGPC page was reachable, so the free-entry statement is marked needs_verification.
We only show an amount when a source backs it. Prices change, so confirm locally before you go.
Opening hours
Open 24 hours
Reported to be open 24 hours (search-result snippet from an independent site; not confirmed by SGPC). Ceremonies follow a fixed daily routine.
The 24-hour statement comes from a search snippet of an independent blog and was not confirmed on an official SGPC page. Check the SGPC for ceremony times.
Visitor information
- Best time to visit
- October to March for cooler weather; early morning or late evening to avoid crowds.
- Best time of day
- Early morning, or late evening for the night ceremony
- How long to spend
- 2–4 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Families
- Suitable for families
Good to know
- Cover your head with a scarf, handkerchief or dupatta; free head coverings are available outside the entrances
- Remove shoes and socks and leave them at the cloakroom
- Wash your feet in the water channel before entering
- Cover shoulders and knees
- No alcohol, tobacco or intoxicants
- Ask before photographing inside the sanctum
Location
Photos
Harmandir Sahib and its sacred pool in fog. Photo: Dey.sandip / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Akal Takht illuminated in the evening. Photo: Giridhar Appaji Nag Y from Bangalore, India / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 The shrine reflected in the sarovar at night. Photo: shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 Volunteers preparing langar. Photo: Kritzolina / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 A pilgrim after bathing in the sarovar. Photo: Paulrudd / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee for the Golden Temple?
No. An independent information site states there are no entry fees and no restrictions by religion; the langar meal is also free. We could not load an official SGPC page to confirm.
What should I wear to the Golden Temple?
Cover your head and remove your shoes and socks. Cover your shoulders and knees. Head coverings are available free outside the entrances.
Can non-Sikhs visit the Golden Temple?
Yes. It is described as an open house of worship for people from all faiths and walks of life.
Information sources
Where the facts on this page come from, and what still needs confirming.
Information last checked 7 October 2026
Not yet confirmed
- free entry (independent site only)
- 24-hour opening (search snippet of independent blog)
Not available yet
- official SGPC timings and rules
- official website URL
- Wikipedia – Golden Temple · Encyclopedia
- Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) – independent information site · Other
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