Search Indian Maps, Pincodes, Local Info and more...
Sri Akal Takht Sahib Amritsar
The Guru Har Gobind ji the sixth Sikh Guru was responsible for the construction of Akal Takht and it took care of the military and political needs of the Sikhs, and saved from the invasions and military entry to its place during 17th and 18th Century period. It was Ahmed Shah Abdali who during 18th Century invaded the Akal Takht many times and heavy damage was caused to it during 1984 and it was Guru Gobind Singh who started the process of protection through sword. The four other important Takhats are Keshagarh Sahib, Patna Sahib, Hazur Sahib and Damdama Sahib.
More Description
To describe more about Akal Takht, only an open space existed in this place where Guru Hargobind was playing during childhood. It all started in a small way with a place of 3.5 meters high and the Guru who was seated was surrounded by people and used to discuss the issues and problems of the people in the form of a court. One can see today that the Akal Takht is of 5 storey building built of marble and the dome adorned with gold leaf. A lime plaster also could be seen as a layer which is duly painted with decorations and the marble pillars, formed in a semi circular shape gives an open view of the courtyard, thus giving way for a Durbal Hall. In the later years, the ceilings with gliding structures, as that could be seen in the Hari Mandir Sahib has come up and also the wall paintings were the latter additions with European Panels.
June - 1984 was another period which marked the period of damage to the Akal Takht during operation Blue Star, which destroyed the Takht when Golden Temple was attached by Indian Army. Unfortunately the Parikrama could be seen hosting the tanks and Indian military operation was ordered by Indira Gandhi the then Prime Minister of India to fight against the Militant Jamail Singh Bhindarwale who initiated a Dharam Yudh from Golden Temple. Many Sikhs were killed in different parts of the country due to the confusion created. This led to furors amongst Sikhs who relinquished their Administrative posts, many resigned from Military and many others returning their awards and honors received from the Government. Amritsar was in a tense mood, and black out was declared throughout.
This was also condemned by many, due to many human losses, property and other losses. Thousands of innocent pilgrims and army people were killed and many Sikh Reference guides were also burnt. It was Dr. Manmohan Singh who after becoming the Prime Minister in 2005 apologized for this act.
Sarkari Takht was the name given for the act of rebuilding the Akal Takht and Buta Singh who was the Home Minister during Rajiv Gandhi's period was the one to be ex communicated from the Sikh Panth for his initiative in rebuilding the Takht in the name of Sarkari Akal Takht after Operation Blue Star who was later punished by way of cleaning the utensils and shoes of the devotees at the Golden Temple and thus re admitted to the Sikh Fold.
1986 saw a period of Sarbat Khalsa, wherein around 5 lakhs Sikhs met and decided to demolish the rebuilt Akal Takht or Sarkari Takht and rebuilt the Akal Takht by way of Kar Seva and self service modes, a traditional Sikh way of doing such works. The Akal Takht built in 1986 has taken over 9 years for completion and is quite bigger compared to the original which is capable of accommodating more pilgrims than before. The Jathedars of the Akal Takht as also the other Jathedars are the supreme leaders of the Sikhs.
Photo Gallery