The Golden Temple in Amritsar at a glance
The Golden Temple, also called Sri Harmandir Sahib or Sri Darbar Sahib, is the central Sikh shrine in Amritsar, Punjab. It stands on a platform in the middle of the Amrit Sarovar, and you reach it over a causeway. People of every religion, caste and gender are welcome, and entry is free. The temple is managed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Plan your day around three things: cover your head, take your shoes off, and allow time to sit, walk the marble path around the pool and eat in the langar. The rest of Amritsar is close by, from the Partition Museum to Jallianwala Bagh, and the border ceremony at Attari is a trip of about 30 km.
What this guide covers
Everything you need to plan a respectful, well-timed visit.
You will find the Golden Temple timings and rules, the free kitchen (langar) and how volunteering works, the sanctum, the Akal Takht and the Amrit Sarovar, and the evening Palki Sahib ceremony. Further pages explain the history, facts and figures and the basics of Sikhism for visitors. Around the temple you can add the Partition Museum, Jallianwala Bagh, the Attari border ceremony and the rest of Amritsar. If you travel in from the capital, see Amritsar from Delhi.
Prices are in Indian rupees (INR) for 2026. They change, so treat them as a guide. Tour prices on the cards are shown in US dollars.
Our picks: Golden Temple and Amritsar tours
For a first visit, the guided walk at the temple and Jallianwala Bagh is short and good value. With one day, the full day adds Wagah; from Delhi, the train trip includes the hotel night.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Two days in Amritsar from Delhi by train
- Return train tickets
- One night with breakfast
- Guide and entry fees
Economy train tickets both ways, one hotel night with breakfast, a guide and air-conditioned transport in Amritsar. The evening temple visit is not part of the plan.
Check availability →
Beating Retreat ceremony with a Punjabi dinner
- Private air-conditioned car
- Punjabi dinner at Sadda Pind
- Guide
A private air-conditioned car to the border ceremony with a guide, then a Punjabi dinner at Sadda Pind, with the entry there included.
Check availability →Private day at the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh
- Private guide
- Hotel pickup and return
- Entry fees
A private guide and driver for eight hours with hotel pickup and the entry fees for the sights on the route.
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Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and Wagah in one day
- Local guide
- Private vehicle with pickup
- Fuel, tolls and parking
A local guide and a private vehicle for nine hours, with fuel, tolls and parking covered. Seats at Wagah are not reserved.
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Guided walk at the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh
- Local guide
- History of both sites
Two hours with a local guide in Hindi, English or Punjabi, with the history of both places and everyday life around them.
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Hidden lanes of old Amritsar
- Storytelling guide
- Old city lanes and markets
Two and a half hours through the lanes of the old city with stories, tips on markets and on photographing respectfully.
Check availability →Golden Temple and Amritsar tours
Tours in and around Amritsar with live prices and availability. Check the meeting point, the length and what the price includes before you book.
Plan your Golden Temple visit
Pick a page and go deeper.
Timings and rules
Opening hours, head covering, shoes, clothing and photo rules.
Golden Temple tours
What a guide adds, what to do on your own and how to choose.
Amritsar from Delhi
Two trains, the two Delhi stations and a simple two-day plan.
Langar
The free kitchen, how the meal works and how to help.
Inside the Golden Temple
The sanctum, the Akal Takht, the Sarovar and the Parikrama.
Golden Temple at night
The Palki Sahib procession and seasonal evening times.
History
Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan, Ranjit Singh and 1984.
Facts and figures
Gold, size, symbolism and langar numbers.
Sikhism for visitors
Gurdwara etiquette and the basics you will meet at the temple.
Wagah and Attari border
The daily ceremony, the trip from Amritsar and what to bring.
Jallianwala Bagh
The memorial garden of the 1919 massacre.
Partition Museum
Hours, tickets and what the galleries show.
Amritsar
Gobindgarh Fort, Durgiana Temple, Ram Tirath and Heritage Street.
Amritsar food
Kulcha, lassi and phirni.
Getting there
Airport, station and the last stretch to the temple.
Weather and best time
Monthly climate and festival dates for 2026 and 2027.
Where to stay
Areas near the temple and how the temple's own lodgings work.
A few things to know before you go
Details that are easy to miss.
Entry is free, and there is nothing to buy
There is no ticket for the temple and no fast-track pass. Donations are voluntary. Plan for 04:00 to 22:00 and check the current timetable for ceremonies.
Timings and rules →The Attari ceremony and the border crossing are separate
The daily ceremony at Attari takes place, while the border crossing itself is closed to traffic. Some travel advisories ask visitors to avoid the area within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border, so read your government's current advice first.
Wagah and Attari →Heritage Street is walkable, not fully car-free
The street from the Town Hall toward the temple is about 1 km long and laid out for walkers. You may still share it with two-wheelers and rickshaws.
Around Amritsar →Keep a hotel as plan B
The temple's own sarai rooms are meant for families, for up to 2 nights, and the online booking portal may be switched off. Do not build your trip around it.
Where to stay →Mondays are quieter for museums
The Partition Museum is closed on Mondays. At Gobindgarh Fort the fort is open daily, but the Toshakhana and Warfare Museum are closed on Mondays.
Partition Museum →Numbers vary
Figures for the langar range from about 20,000 people a day up to 100,000 meals a day, and for the gold from 400 to 750 kg. Treat them as ballpark figures.
Facts and figures →Key times and prices in 2026
Prices in INR, 2026.
| Place | Hours | Entry in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Temple | 04:00 to 22:00; ceremonies have their own times | Free |
| Langar hall | Open around the clock | Free meal |
| Partition Museum | Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00 | INR 250 for foreign visitors, INR 10 for Indian citizens; children up to 5 free |
| Gobindgarh Fort | Daily, 10:00–22:00 | Foreign visitors from INR 300 by day, INR 750 with the 7D show |
| Jallianwala Bagh | Garden 06:30–19:30, museum 10:00–17:00 | Free |
For most first visits, give the temple and the langar a morning, add the Partition Museum and Jallianwala Bagh on foot in the afternoon, and keep Attari for a separate day.
Golden Temple: frequently asked questions
Is the Golden Temple free to enter?
Yes. There are no separate tickets for adults, children or foreign visitors. Donations are voluntary and never required. Only nearby attractions such as the Partition Museum charge an entry fee. See timings and rules.
Can non-Sikhs visit the Golden Temple?
Yes. People of every religion, caste and gender are welcome. Everyone follows the same rules: cover your head, take your shoes off and keep tobacco and alcohol out. The Sikhism page explains the customs you will see.
What are the Golden Temple opening hours?
Plan for 04:00 to 22:00. Ceremonies follow their own seasonal times, and you should not count on the sanctum being open outside these hours. Check the current timetable before you go.
How do I get from Delhi to the Golden Temple?
By train. The Vande Bharat 22487 leaves Delhi Junction at 15:15 and reaches Amritsar at 20:45. The Swarn Shatabdi 12029 leaves New Delhi at 07:20 and arrives at 13:30. The railway station is about 2 km from the temple. See Amritsar from Delhi.
Can I take photos at the Golden Temple?
Photos are fine outside. They are not allowed in the sanctum. Follow the signs and the instructions on site.
Is golden-temple.org run by the temple or a tour operator?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no connection to the SGPC, Punjab Tourism, the temple itself or any tour operator or hotel.