CITY

Amritsar

STATE

Punjab

COUNTRY

India

PERIOD

Built in 1609 AD by the 6th Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji for preparing the Sikhs to be Soldiers as well as being Saints in order to protect the faith

Click picture Above for Arial view

SIGNIFICANCE

Akal Takhat is the first Takhat situated in the Harmandir Sahib (“Golden Temple”) complex directly facing the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar.  Akal means “Immortal Waheguru” and therefore, “Akal Takhat” implies “Waheguru’s Thorne of Righteousness”. Guru Hargobind Ji undertook the original construction in AD 1606 which was completed 3 years later in 1609 AD. Guru Ji used it as a seat of temporal/sovereign authority, the spiritual focus being the Harmandir Sahib. Subsequent to the martyrdom of his father 5^th Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji by the ruling Mogul emperor (as Jahangir was concerned about the growing popularity of the Sikhism), Guru Ji realised that if the Sikhs were to continue their existence, they had to become Saint-Soldiers.  Also, Guru Ji himself wore two Kirpans (swords), one symbolizing 'Piri (spiritual power) and the other 'Miri' (political/sovereign power).

The Akal Takhat (temporal) was built opposite to Harmandir Sahib (spiritual) which demonstrated unique combination of spiritual & temporal aspects of human life.  Spiritual aspect reminded everyone to understand his/her religion or duty to love Waheguru and the creation (see Sikh Principles). However, temporal power or sovereign power was always needed to guard the Sanctity of the religion.

Guru Ji used to address all the religious, social and political matters from the Akal Takhat.  Military & physical training was imparted to the Sikhs in order to form an army to fight the tyranny and oppression of the evil rulers at that time. 'Nishan Sahib' [Khalsa Panth (Nation) Flag] was first raised at the Akal Takhat in 1608 A.D. by Guru Hargobind Ji. Now, Nishan Sahib is installed outside every Gurdwara.

Lately, an order to discard the use of chairs/tables and prohibiting wearing of shoes in the Langar hall has been issued from the Akal Takhat for all the Gurdwaras in the world. This is aimed at maintaining the sanctity of the Langar (Sangat-Pangat) as established by the 3^rd Guru, Guru Amar Das Ji.