It has been restored and embellished continuously over the years.
The foundation was overseen by the fourth and fifth Sikh Gurus, and the construction was completed in 1601. The land for the Golden Temple was donated by the Mughal emperor Akbar on which construction began in 1574. Golden Temple is indisputably one of the most exquisite attractions in the world. The Ramgarhia Bunga is a protective fortress located at the southeast end of the tank and is surrounded by two Islamic-style minarets. The Sikh Museum is located inside the main entrance clock tower which shows the oppression endured by the Sikhs at the hands of the Mughals, the British and the Indian Government of 1984. The spiritual focus is the tank, the Amrit Sarovar, which surrounds the glistening central shrine. Around the edges of the compound, there are more shrines and monuments. The main Temple housing the shrine is a small part of the vast complex known as Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib to the Sikhs.
The temple is open to devotees of all faiths and serves over 100,000 people free food from all walks of life. Located right in the heart of Amritsar, the stunning golden architecture of the temple and the daily Langar (community kitchen) attract a large number of visitors and devotees each day. One of the most spiritual places in India, the Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest shrine in all of Sikhism.