Historic wall surrounding Amritsar�s Golden Temple struggling for survival
20-November-2020

The historic wall around Amritsar�s Golden Temple, which was built more than 200 years ago, is now on the brink of collapse due to neglect and encroachment.
Prof Dr Balvinder Singh, a conservation spatial planner, told a news website that the iconic wall has broken at different places, and even structures have been made over it.

Reportedly, Singh has suggested the formation of a Heritage Advisory Committee, similar to the Shimla Heritage Advisory Committee, to protect the heritage character of the wall. He also laid stress on re-enforcing the Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings Act, Punjab, to protect all the historic cities in Punjab.
Historic wall surrounding Amritsar�s Golden Temple struggling for survivalCredit: iStock

Amritsar is also known by the name of Ambarsar, and it is the hub of Sikh religion in the world. Historically, Amritsar was called Ramdaspur. It derives its present name from Amrit Sarovar, a sacred water tank, excavated by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in the village of Tung. Amritsar used to be surrounded by thick forests and water tanks, before the foundation stone for building a human dwelling was laid here. Much later, the Golden Temple was constructed in this city to enshrine the holy book of the Sikhs.

The vast community kitchen run in the temple premises is one of most amazing places and the largest community kitchen in the world, visited by people from all walks of life.