Akal Takht
ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ
The seat of the highest temporal authority of Sikhism, directly facing the causeway to the Golden Temple. Founded by the sixth Guru, and the sacred scripture is carried here from the Golden Temple at night.
Akal Takht was founded in 1606 by the sixth Guru, Hargobind. It symbolizes temporal authority and stands opposite the Golden Temple, which represents spiritual authority. It is the first of the five Takhts of Sikhism. It was badly damaged in Operation Blue Star in 1984 and later rebuilt. Each night the holy scripture is carried in a palanquin from the Golden Temple to be placed here, and it is returned the next morning. During the ceremony crowds gather and the music is solemn. The site is on the west side of the Golden Temple complex, and it is usually visited as part of the same tour. Please observe the no-photography rules in indoor areas.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib)
- Central Sikh Museum
- Guru Ram Das Langar
- Heritage Street
- Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai
- Kesar Da Dhaba
- Jallianwala Bagh
- Bharawan Da Dhaba