Which city in Punjab is home to the Golden Temple?

Amritsar is the Punjab city home to the Golden Temple.

The shrine’s formal name is Harmandir Sahib, meaning “Abode of God,” and it stands in the center of the Amrit Sarovar, or Pool of Nectar. The surrounding settlement developed around the sacred pool and became the city of Amritsar. The temple is the most important pilgrimage site in Sikhism.

Guru Arjan oversaw construction of the shrine and its opening in the early 17th century. Unlike a structure approached from only one direction, the temple has entrances on all four sides, symbolizing openness to people from every direction. The Guru Granth Sahib is ceremonially installed there each day.

The building’s gold-plated appearance dates mainly from the early 19th century, particularly the period associated with Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The complex also includes the Akal Takht, founded by Guru Hargobind as a seat of temporal authority. The site has undergone repeated restoration and rebuilding.