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The Golden Temple at night, reflected in the sacred pool

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Golden Temple, Amritsar

Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) · Amritsar, Punjab, India

Photo: Manpreet Singh Dhillon · CC BY-SA 4.0

The golden heart of Sikhism, where the spirit of equality and service is palpable.

Know before you go

  • No smoking, alcohol or meat anywhere in the temple complex
  • don't touch the scripture
  • keep your head covered throughout your visit.

This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.

Culture

Culture & customs

Background

The sacred pool of the Golden Temple was completed in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru; the fifth, Guru Arjan, built the sanctum and installed the holy scripture in 1604; in the early 19th century Maharaja Ranjit Singh covered it in gold leaf, giving it the name 'Golden Temple'. The sanctum has doors on all four sides, symbolising openness to people of every caste and faith; its free kitchen (langar) serves free meals to tens of thousands of pilgrims and visitors every day, with volunteers of every background working side by side.

Local customs

  • You must cover your head (scarves are provided free at the entrance), go barefoot and cover your shoulders and knees
  • the sacred pool (Amrit Sarovar) surrounds the sanctum, and worshippers wash their hands in its holy water.

Religion & beliefs

  • Sikhism's holiest site: the sanctum holds the Adi Granth scripture, recited day and night
  • keep silent, walk clockwise, and don't take photos with your back to the scripture.

Etiquette

Etiquette & taboos

Rules that apply here

Red lineEveryday mannersIndia

India: some states ban alcohol completely

  • Before visiting Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland or Lakshadweep, learn the alcohol rules
  • Drinking or carrying alcohol in a dry area
  • Drinking in parks and other public places

Drinking or possessing alcohol in a dry state can lead to arrest without bail and 5 to 10 years in prison.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice

Red lineEntryIndia

India: e-cigarettes are banned

  • Leave your e-cigarette at home
  • Bringing an e-cigarette into India or buying one there

E-cigarettes and related products are banned in India.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice

Red lineEntryIndia

India: no satellite phones or GPS devices without a permit

  • Before you leave, check whether your equipment needs a permit
  • Carrying a satellite phone or satellite navigation device without a permit (even in transit)

Illegal; you can be fined or arrested and the device confiscated. British tourists have been arrested for this.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice

Don’t DON'T

  • No smoking, alcohol or meat anywhere in the temple complex
  • don't touch the scripture
  • keep your head covered throughout your visit.

Locals appreciate DO

Punjabis are warm hosts and like to invite visitors to experience the 'community kitchen', sharing roti and dal.

Plan your visit

Practical info

Travel tips

  • At night the lights of the Golden Temple reflected in the pool are stunning, so visit once by day and once in the evening
  • meals in the langar are free, but take only what you need and clear your plate
  • the early-morning recitation is solemn and worth getting up for.

Eat nearby

What to eat nearby

Must-try

  • Free communal kitchen (langar)
  • Amritsari kulcha
  • Amritsari fish

The free community kitchen (langar: dal, roti, vegetables and kheer rice pudding — all vegetarian), Amritsari kulcha (tandoor-baked bread with chickpeas), Amritsari fish (spiced fried fish, outside the temple), lassi

Where to eatThe Golden Temple's langar hall, kulcha shops and snack streets in the old town outside the temple
Dining etiquetteLangar rules: cover your head, remove shoes, wash hands and feet, sit cross-legged on the floor in rows (pangat), receive food with your right hand, finish everything without waste, don't tip volunteers — donations are voluntary; no alcohol, tobacco or meat inside the temple
Typical price per personLangar is free; a meal outside the temple costs INR 300–600 ≈ CNY 25–50
TipsYou can join seva as a volunteer, washing dishes or chopping vegetables; at peak times there's a queue for langar, but it moves quickly.

Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.

Amritsari kulcha
Amritsari kulcha
LittleT889 · CC BY 4.0

Photos

Photos

The Golden Temple at night, reflected in the sacred pool
The Golden Temple at night, reflected in the sacred pool
Manpreet Singh Dhillon · CC BY-SA 4.0
The sacred pool of the Golden Temple
The sacred pool of the Golden Temple
Jasp95599 · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Golden Temple's free kitchen (langar)
The Golden Temple's free kitchen (langar)
Kritzolina · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources & verification notes

Wikipedia：Golden Temple

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