The Golden Temple at night and the Palki Sahib ceremony
The evening Palki Sahib ceremony is the main event of a night at the Golden Temple. The Guru Granth Sahib leaves Harmandir Sahib in a palki, a palanquin, and is carried to the Akal Takht. There it is settled for the night in a closing ritual called Sukh-Aasan. At night the temple is lit, and its reflection lies on the water.
The evening palki leaves between 21:45 and 22:45, depending on the season, and the Sukh-Aasan follows 15 minutes later. Entry to the complex is free, and the ritual needs no ticket. Check the time for your date and arrive early so that you can find a place.
Our picks: the temple at night
The Palki Sahib tour focuses on the evening ceremony; the night walk adds the bazaars.
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.
Palki Sahib ceremony and the temple at night
- Guide in English, Hindi or Punjabi
- New head covering
- Jalebi snack
Two hours with a guide for the evening ceremony and Sikh history, with a jalebi snack and a new head covering.
Check availability →
Golden Temple night walk with the bazaars
- Temple visit at night
- Bazaars and local food
- Culture and history
Two hours with the temple at night, the bazaars, Sikh heritage and a taste of local food.
Check availability →Golden Temple evening visits and Amritsar tours
Guided evening walks and day trips in Amritsar, with live prices and availability.
Palki Sahib: morning and evening
Two palki rituals mark the day, and they do not happen at the same time.
Morning
The palki leaves the Akal Takht and the first Hukamnama follows. Treat the departure time as a guide to the season, not as an exact time. Ask on site for the time on your day.
Evening
The palki leaves Harmandir Sahib and goes to the Akal Takht. There the Sukh-Aasan follows. The departure of the palki and the whole ritual are not the same moment, so allow some time before and after.
Overnight
Overnight the Guru Granth Sahib rests at the Akal Takht. The ritual is part of daily worship, not a show, so keep your voice low and give the pilgrims space.
Palki Sahib timings by season
The season names follow the Nanakshahi calendar, so each one covers parts of two calendar months. Times are approximate.
| Season | Portals open | Palki leaves Akal Takht (morning) | First Hukamnama | Palki leaves Harmandir Sahib (evening) | Sukh-Aasan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chet (March to April) | 02:30 | 04:30 | 05:00 | 22:00 | 22:15 |
| Vaisakh (April to May) | 02:15 | 04:15 | 04:45 | 22:30 | 22:45 |
| Jeth and Harh (May to July) | 02:00 | 04:00 | 04:30 | 22:45 | 23:00 |
| Sawan (July to August) | 02:15 | 04:15 | 04:45 | 22:30 | 22:45 |
| Bhadon (August to September) | 02:30 | 04:30 | 05:00 | 22:30 | 22:45 |
| Assu (September to October) | 02:30 | 04:30 | 05:00 | 22:15 | 22:30 |
| Kattak to Magh (October to February) | 03:00 | 05:00 | 05:30 | 21:45 | 22:00 |
| Phaggan (February to March) | 02:45 | 04:45 | 05:15 | 22:00 | 22:15 |
Times can vary by up to a quarter of an hour, for example 22:00 or 22:15 for the evening palki in March and 22:15 or 22:30 in the late summer. For most visitors, the safest plan is to arrive 30 minutes before the earlier of the two times and to ask on site.
Visiting the Golden Temple at night
Plan your visit for 04:00 to 22:00. Parts of the outer complex stay open around the clock, but do not count on the sanctum being open then, and the ceremonies keep their own times. Plan around the ritual times in the table, and ask on site what is open when you arrive.
A night ritual is not a bookable tour, and it does not give you a reserved place. If you prefer a guide for an evening visit, compare the tour cards above and check what is included and where the meeting point is.
Rules and manners at night
The same rules apply as by day. Cover your head, take off your shoes, and keep tobacco and alcohol away. Photos are allowed outside and not in the sanctum, and signs on site decide the rest.
Bring a warm layer in winter, when the nights are cool. Note also that the evening ritual falls earlier from October to February. Hands and feet are cleaned when dirty, as at any time of day.
Golden Temple at night: frequently asked questions
What is the Palki Sahib ceremony?
It is the evening procession in which the Guru Granth Sahib is carried from Harmandir Sahib to the Akal Takht in a palki. The Sukh-Aasan there closes the day.
What time is the evening Palki Sahib at the Golden Temple?
It depends on the season and runs from 21:45 to 22:45. The Sukh-Aasan follows about a quarter of an hour later. Check the table above and ask on site.
Is the Golden Temple open at night?
Plan for 04:00 to 22:00. Parts of the outer complex stay open round the clock, but do not count on the sanctum being open then. Ask on site.
Do I need a ticket or a reservation for the ceremony?
No. Entry is free, and the ritual needs no ticket. You do not reserve a place either, so arrive early.
Are there night tours of the Golden Temple?
A night ritual is not a bookable tour. Guided evening visits differ by operator, so check the meeting point, the length and what is included before you book.
Is this the official website of the temple?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the temple administration or the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and it is not connected to any tour operator.