View of the Darbar Sahib along with the causeway in the middle of the sarovar, with devotees thronging the causeway

A view of the Darbar Sahib with the Golden dome covered structure (where the eternal Guru of the Sikh religion, the Guru Granth Sahib is placed); this is reached by a causeway that allows people to pass through the sarovar. In this case, the causeway is full of devotees.

View of devotees queuing up at the Darshani Deori inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar

The Darshani Deori is a gateway inside the Golden Temple complex, the entrance to the causeway which in turn leads to the Darbar Sahib in the middle of the sarovar. Here you can see people in a queue to pass through the Darshani Deori, with a tent at the top to prevent the heat from affecting the people in the queue.

View of devotees around the foot of one of the flagstaffs inside the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar

View of devotees at the foot of the Nishaan Sahib (ceremonial flag staffs of the Golden Temple in Amritsar). The base of the flagstaffs is fairly wide, with devotees circling the base of these flagstaffs. To the right, you can see the top of the Golden Dome, and also see the congregation of devotees to the right on the ground.

An angular view of the Nishaan Sahib (flagstaffs) projecting high into the sky inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar

The Nishaan Sahib are the twin ceremonial flagstaffs inside the Golden Temple complex, just to the side of the Akal Takht. In this photo, you can see these twin poles, projecting high in the sky, seeming to go on and on high in the sky, with some clouds behind them providing for an interesting lighting.

View of a congregation of devotees and the front of the Akal Takht in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar

In the previous photos, one is able to see a number of devotees congregated right in front of the Darshan Deori inside the Golden Temple. There was a tent setup for them, and you can also see the front of the Akal Takht, with some scaffolding setup to facilitate some construction or repairs.

A closer, ground level view of the congregation of devotees just outside the Darshan Deori in the Golden Temple in Amritsar

A view of the congregation of devotees inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar, just outside the Darshan Deori (the gateway to the Harmandir Sahib) (sitting under a tent). You can see various signs of construction (or repairs) to the structures in the Golden Temple.

A photo of the Thara Sahib, the shrine of the 9th Guru of the Sikh religion inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar

This is a shrine inside the Golden Temple complex, located in between and behind the Akal Takht and the Nishaan Sahib, is a shrine of the 9th Guru of the Sikh religion, Guru Tegh Bahadur (with the shrine called Thara Sahib) (Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb for standing in the way of the persecution of Kashmiri Pandits).

View of Nishaan Sahib (flagstaffs) along with poeple congreagating and view of the sarovar in the Golden Temple

A view of the main section of the Golden Temple complex, with view of the Nishaan Sahib and a large number of devotees congregating under a tent in front of the Darshan Deori. This photo was taken from a slightly higher view point.

A Sikh walking towards the set of buildings just behind the Akal Takht in the Golden Temple in Amritsar

The Akal Takht is one of the the most imposing building inside the Golden Temple (if you leave aside the golden covered dome of the main structure). In this photo, you can see a young sikh youth walking towards the buildings behind the Akal Takht.

View of the dual flagstaffs (Nishaan Sahib) along with the Darshan Deori at the Golden Temple

In the Golden Temple, the Nishaan Sahib are actually 2 large ceremonial flagstaffs (and these are fairly large poles, since you can see the thickness at the base) mounted on marble platforms. In this photo, you can see that there is some restoration work going on at the Darshan Deori, and there are devotees everywhere, enjoying the serene calmness of the Golden Temple.

A view of the Nishaan Sahib, people at the langar and the Darshan Deori of the Golden Temple

Not sure whether all these people were there for langar (food served at the Gurdwara), but they were all waiting patiently. This is a view from a slightly elevated location, where you can see a number of people sitting on the floor, you can see the Darshan Deori for entering the causeway, and you can also see the Nishaan Sahib (the ceremonial flagstaffs).

A devotee in front of the Nishaan Sahib, the flagstaff in the Golden Temple in Amritsar

A devotee praying in front of the Nishaan Sahib, the tall saffron colored flagstaff inside the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. This is a tall pole, supported with multiple ropes, and a very small distance away from the sarovar of the Golden Temple.

Nishaan Sahib, the flagstaff at the Golden Temple in Amritsar

The ceremonial flagstaff (called Nishaan Sahib) at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. There are actually 2 such flagstaff's, each of them on their own marble bases, and people also come and bow before them. They go fairly high in the sky and in this case, is covered with a saffron colored cloth.

The Golden Dome and structure of the Akal Takht inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar

The Akal Takht, located outside the sarovar, is one of the most significant structures of the Golden Temple, and is the seat of the Sikh religion. This is also one of the most badly damaged structures during Operation Blue Star in 1984 (the killing of Bhindrawale and removal of terrorists from inside the Golden Temple) and large sections had to be reconstructed.

Closer view of the marble causeway leading to the Darbar Sahib, just after doing the visit

To get to the Darbar Sahib, you enter the causeway from the Darshan Deori in a queue to the left side, and then after doing the darshan, you come back in a queue on the right side of the causeway. This photo is just after having done the darshan, and I tool this photo just after exiting the causeway.

Orange and black fishes thronging the water of the sarovar of the Golden Temple in Amritsar

In a previous photo, I had shown some of the fishes inside the sarovar of the Golden Temple. In this photo, you can see a larger quantity of such fishes, and I am not able to confirm which species of fishes these are (although one site mentioned that these were carp). They do look attractive to the devotees who visit the place.

White structures along the perimeter line of the Golden Temple in Amritsar

These are the buildings along the perimeter of the Golden Temple, just outside the sarovar. In this case, you can see the building along with the clock tower of the Golden Temple. Devotees can be seen everywhere, normally doing a round of the sarovar on the outside (sometimes a bit difficult in the heat).

Gold plated lamp posts at the edge of the causeway inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar

The marble causeway that leads to the Darbar Sahib in the middle of the causeway has these seemingly gold-encrusted lamp posts all along the edge. There are a large number of such lamp posts all along the edge. Of course, I did not ask anybody whether these were gold plated or not.

Overhead view of the causeway leading to the Darbar Sahib - full of devotees

The causeway is a marble structure, 60 meters long, that leads from the Darshan Deori to the Darbar Sahib, over the water of the sarovar. In this photo, you can see the top of the heads of the devotees, along with the fans at the top of the causeway; along with gold covered lamp posts at the side of the causeway.

Side view of the causeway along with the Darbar Sahib in the middle of the holy sarovar in Amritsar

A side view of the causeway thronging with devotees leading to the Darbar Sahib in the middle of the holy sarovar inside the Golden Temple complex. You can see the waters of the tank along with the various white buildings that form the perimeter of the Golden Temple complex.

Fan on the top of the causeway leading to the Darbar Sahib in Amritsar

There is a 60 meter long causeway that leads from the Darshan Deori to the Darbar Sahib in the middle of the holy sarovar. In the searing heat, the water nearby has some cooling effect, and to ensure that the devotees do not suffer too much discomfort, there are fans all along the top of the causeway.

Devotee standing at the edge of the tank, paying respect to the Darbar Sahib inside the Golden Temple

Here you can see a devotee standing at the edge of the sarovar inside the Golden Temple. There is some construction activity happening at the Darshani Deorhi (you can see the scaffolding, and bricks laid at the edge of the sarovar). And of course, you can see the famous Darbar Sahib.

Red and black fish (maybe trout and carp) in the Golden Temple sarovar in Amritsar

The holy tank in the Golden Temple complex contains a number of fish, and when you move close to the edge of the tank, you can see these fish frolicking, trying to get air and seeming to breathe air (although they get the air from their gills). Some of these fish are several inches long, but nobody was able to tell me the species of these fishes.

View of the small passage through which devotees pass to reach the main structure of the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar

This is a view of the hallway through which devotees leave the inner part of the Golden Temple complex, with the photo being taken from the inner side. You can see devotees coming and going, and also see glimpses of the outer side of the Golden Temple, including the metal archway on the outside wall of the Golden Temple complex.

View of part of the Harmandir Sahib, sarovar and buildings around the perimeter

The center of the Golden Temple is located in the middle of the sarovar, with a perimeter of buildings around the sarovar (with white buildings). You can see a lot of devotees in the photo as well, doing a round of the perimeter. The sky seems a bit overcast, but this was a clear sky with lots of sun (and the camera turned down the glare).

View of the Harmandir Sahib from the steps leading to the inside compound

When you enter the Golden Temple complex, there is a small hallway through which you have to pass through, and then there are steps leading down to the inner compound (where you can find the sarovar and the Harmandir Sahib). This is a photo taken from the top of the steps, where you can see the size of the sarovar (pond) along with the Harmandir Sahib, devotees all around, and many more buildings all around the perimeter.

The Golden structure of Harmandir Sahib in the middle of the holy sarovar in Amritsar

The beautiful Golden Structure of the Harmandir Sahib in the middle of the sarovar in Amritsar. The lower portion of the structure is in White. You can also devotees taking a round of the temple, with the lower portion of the structure being the place where you can sip some of the holy water. In the background, there is a sheer line of white buildings.

The clock tower that is also the main entrance to the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar

As you get closer to the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, you see the white structure that is the entry point for the complex. There are some trees in front, but otherwise there is a wide open space in front, with a few shops at the lower section of the complex; the gleaming white complex looks good.

Crowds near the entrance to the Golden Temple in Amritsar

The previous photo showed devotees thronging to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Here you can see the outline of the Golden Temple clearly, and it looks like a massive structure that covers the entire front of the road.

People heading towards the Golden Temple on the busy road leading to it in Amritsar

People on the busy road leading towards the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. This road starts near the entrance to Jallianwala Bagh, and ends at the Golden Temple. You can see the Golden Temple complex from quite a distance away.

Devotees and a volunteer at the Golden Temple in Amritsar at night

People visit the Golden Temple at morning, during the day, through the evening, and at night. In the night, there is a ceremony where the Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Book of Sikhism is carried away from the Darbar Sahib for a few hours of rest, and a number of devotees want to take part in this ceremony. One great feature is the number of people who volunteer for service at the Golden Temple, and here you can see devotees with a saffron robed volunteer.