Inside the Golden Temple at a glance
The sanctum, Sri Harmandir Sahib, stands on a platform in the middle of the sacred pool. You reach it over a causeway, and the building has four doors, one on each side. The design combines Islamic and Hindu building forms. The four doors stand for openness to people of every background.
The platform measures 67 ft by 67 ft, about 20.4 m on each side. The temple itself has a plan of 40.5 ft by 40.5 ft, about 12.3 m. Do not expect access to every floor or inner room, as that can change. For a guided walk that puts the buildings in context, look at Golden Temple tours.
Before you enter: the rules
The same rules apply across the whole complex.
Head covering and shoes
Cover your head and take off your shoes before you enter. Hands and feet are cleaned if they are dirty.
No tobacco or alcohol
Tobacco, alcohol and other drugs are not allowed, including in bags and in the parking area.
Photos
Photos are allowed outside and not in the sanctum. Follow the signs and the instructions of the staff.
Entry
Entry is free, and people of every religion, caste and gender are welcome. A donation is voluntary and never required.
Our pick: the temple with a local guide
A full day with a local guide that starts at the Golden Temple.
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.
Amritsar tours and day trips
Guided walks and day trips in Amritsar, with live prices and availability.
Akal Takht: the seat of Sikh authority
The Akal Takht faces the sanctum across the causeway. Guru Hargobind founded it, and it is the seat of Sikh authority within the complex. It is not a viewing terrace, so treat it with the same respect as the sanctum.
Overnight, the Guru Granth Sahib rests at the Akal Takht. The evening procession between the two buildings is described on the page about the Golden Temple at night. Parts of the Akal Takht were rebuilt after 1984, which you can read about in the history of the temple.
Amrit Sarovar: the sacred pool
The Amrit Sarovar surrounds the sanctum. Pilgrims take a ritual bath in it. It is not a swimming pool, and the sarovar is not open to everyone. Immersion is possible in a small area next to the Dukh Bhanjani Beri. Do not enter the water outside the places where bathing is allowed.
The Dukh Bhanjani Beri is a revered jujube tree on the east side of the sarovar. Stories about Bibi Rajni belong to religious tradition, and healing powers are a matter of belief. Do not pick the fruit.
The Parikrama and the causeway
The Parikrama is the circuit around the sanctum and the pool. It connects with the causeway to the sanctum and with Har Ki Pauri. Allow time to walk it slowly. Do not rely on being able to enter every floor or room along the way.
The Central Sikh Museum is a separate institution run by the temple administration. Check opening hours and entry on site, since they can differ from the temple itself.
The queue on the causeway
The way to the sanctum leads through the Darshani Deorhi gate and along the causeway, and a line often forms there. Allow time for it and do not plan around a fixed waiting time. Move with the line, keep your voice low and let people pass who need to.
The line moves toward the doors of the sanctum. Photos are not allowed in the sanctum, so put your camera away before you step onto the causeway.
Inside the Golden Temple: frequently asked questions
Can tourists go inside the Golden Temple?
Yes. Entry is free, and people of every religion, caste and gender are welcome. Cover your head and take off your shoes. Access to every floor or inner room is not guaranteed.
Are photos allowed inside the Golden Temple?
Photos are allowed outside and not in the sanctum. Follow the signs and the staff on site.
Can you swim in the Amrit Sarovar?
No. Pilgrims take a ritual bath, and immersion is possible in a small area next to the Dukh Bhanjani Beri. There is no general swimming.
What is the Akal Takht?
It is the seat of Sikh authority in the complex, founded by Guru Hargobind. It faces the sanctum and is not a viewing terrace.
What is the Parikrama?
It is the circuit around the sanctum and the pool. It connects with the causeway and Har Ki Pauri.
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.