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Discover Amritsar's Gem: 10 Fun Facts About the Golden Temple You Never Knew

illustration of the-golden-temple
Dive into a treasure trove of fascinating tidbits as you uncover the shimmering secrets and hidden gems nestled within the Golden Temple's captivating history and allure.

1. Golden Dome Renovation

Who says money can't buy happiness, when it can clearly buy gold-plated domes? Talk about a golden opportunity for this iconic temple: The Golden Temple in India is currently receiving a dazzling renovation worth INR 50 crore, involving the gold plating of its four entrance domes, beautified with 160 kg of pure gold, thanks to voluntary contributions from devotees.
Source => timesofindia.indiatimes.com

2. Langar Kitchen Extravagance

If you think your grocery list is extensive, wait until you hear about the Golden Temple's pantry extravagance: The Langar kitchen at the temple prepares a wide variety of meals serving over 100,000 people daily, utilizing 10 tonnes of flour, 375kg of onions, and 100kg of spices every 24 hours, burning through over one hundred gas cylinders and piles of wood to cook in massive vats – all while spending $5000 a day on clarified butter alone!
Source => insider.com

3. Amrit Sarovar's Fishy Dip

Fancy a polar plunge with the prospect of divine healing and some fishy friends? Look no further than the Golden Temple: revered by Sikhs worldwide, the Amrit Sarovar offers a therapeutic dip in its holy waters all year round, and you'll be swimming alongside koi carp, who aren't there for pool sanitation duties, but merely add to the spiritual ambiance.
Source => thewhitepunjabibride.com

4. Free Lunch at the Golden Temple

In a world where "there's no such thing as a free lunch" seems to be the rule, the Golden Temple in Amritsar presents a delicious exception to the norm: Every day, the community kitchen known as langar serves over 100,000 people with simple vegetarian meals of roti, dal, and vegetables, all prepared lovingly by a team of tireless volunteers.
Source => kidsandpassports.com

Tolerance-Inspired Architecture

5. Tolerance-Inspired Architecture

If Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was founded on tolerance and love, it'd look no further than the Golden Temple for inspiration: housing elements of Hindu and Islamic architecture, the temple's four entrances symbolize equal respect for all religions, attracting over 100,000 daily visitors to worship, venerate the Granth Sahib, and enjoy a delicious meal from the world's largest community kitchen.
Source => sikhnet.com

6. 400 kg Gold Wonderland

Forget Willy Wonka's golden ticket – the real prize lies in India's Golden Temple: This divine abode is adorned with a whopping 400 kilograms of gold, creating a breathtaking visual masterpiece and crowning it as one of the most astonishingly radiant religious sites on the planet.
Source => factsanddetails.com

7. Holiest Spa in Sikhism

Did you hear about the swimming pool at the holiest spa in Sikhism? It was an 8-year-long dry spell before anyone could dive into its divine depths: The Golden Temple's pool was only filled with water upon its completion in 1589, courtesy of Guru Arjan Dev. Besides being one of the largest man-made pools worldwide, Amrit Sarovar - or "pool of nectar" - symbolizes equality, welcoming all visitors regardless of social standing or caste.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Siem Reap's Temple Adventure

For those who prefer adventure with a side of "Temples, temples, everywhere, and not a moment to think": The Golden Temple in Siem Reap is your game-changer. With guides like the charming La Rorn and the enigmatic Lam Chay, you'll embark on epic one-day tours through magnificent temple ruins, enlightened by the bowels of Cambodian history, culture, and perhaps some bowel-tickling humor from the likes of Ms. Joey and Harry, who are truly creme de la creme of the hotel staff.
Source => tripadvisor.com

9. Golden Corral Temple

Step right up, folks, and marvel at a temple that truly puts the "golden" in Golden Corral: The Golden Temple in Amritsar is more than just a glimmering delight for the eyes, it's also a gastronomical bonanza! Feast your eyes on this: the largest free kitchen in the world, feeding around 100,000 hungry souls daily, welcomes everyone with open doors, 24/7—because when it comes to service and free food, there's no business like sewa business.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Marble Marvels and Elephant Transport

10. Marble Marvels and Elephant Transport

When ancient bling met marble marvels, and elephants moonlighted as truckers: The Golden Temple features exquisite marble work from artisans across India, with Makrana marble transported to Amritsar via elephants. Its outer walls are made of marble, while the inner sanctum is covered with 750 kg of gold foil, showcasing the incredible artistry and dedication that went into its creation.
Source => theplanetd.com

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