The Golden Temple

Spirituality and religion closely related to worship of a supreme being. In most cases, therefore, places of worship are critical elements to religion. From small altars in people’s houses to sacred shrines on the hills and from small village chapels to city cathedrals the places are regarded dwelling of a deity. It should thus be noted that the cathedrals and the temples are essential components of spirituality. In most cases, the cathedrals and temples are uniquely and architecturally designed to incorporate the beliefs and values of the followers. The subject of the present article is to provide a reflection of a virtual tour of The Golden Temple.
The Golden Temple is commonly referred to as Harmandir Sahib that can be translated to The Abode of God. The temple is revered among the Sikh community who believe that the site is central to their faith given the perceived presence of their God with the temple acting as a pilgrimage center to the Sikhs around the world. The site is not considered a central place to the Sikh belief, but it also serves as a symbol of equality and brotherhood throughout the globe. The sense of balance is noted in the fact the place of worship was designed and built to allow trans-faith worship.
The spirit of integration is also indicated in the fact that the founder of the Temple invited a Muslim leader to lay the foundation stone to the building despite the documented animosity between the Sikhs and Muslims. The Harmandir Sahib is a depiction of an utmost devotion to religion with the architectural construction being the epitome of symbolism for the values it presents.

The present reflection cannot help but admire the artistic construction of the temple and the devotion with which faithful throng the site from all over the world to acquire spiritual nourishment.
Temple Architecture and Symbolism
The virtual tour of the site through the film is inspiring as it is uplifting given the physical aura and captivating scenery. The walls are decorated with the artistic impression incorporating the various religious beliefs the Sikhs. The Temple is seen to be build based on unique Sikh architectural designs. From the tour of the site, it can be observed that the Temple is constructed on a lower ground as compared to other surrounding buildings. The construction on the lower ground is used to depict the sense of humility and reverence of the presence. Guru Arjan Sahib who pioneered the building of the temple believed that people could connect with God more if they stopped lower into the ground.
The architectural symbolism is also noted to present a new faith of Sikhism that is entirely different from the traditional Hinduism. While the Hindu temples are built on high grounds, it can be noted that the Golden Temple as contrasting values and perception regarding its position. Whereas the Hindu temples have only one entrance, the Golden Temple has four entry points signifying its essence of access to people from all walks of life and religious affiliations.
In conclusion, it can be observed that the most captivating essence of The Golden Temple is its structural and architectural design that makes it stand out among other places of worship. It can also be noted that the temple present the values of the Sikhs around the world.