The foundation stone of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib was laid under the guidance of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji.
Historical Background
Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, situated adjacent to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, is the most sacred and central shrine of the Sikh faith. Its foundation was laid during the time of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji. According to historical accounts, in 1588, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji initiated the seva (selfless service) of constructing this sacred sarovar (holy tank) and Sri Harmandir Sahib on the land blessed by the footsteps of Sri Guru Ramdas Ji. The foundation of this great seva was laid by Baba Buddha Ji with his own holy hands. At that time, the Sikh sangat (congregation) participated in this service with full devotion and humility.
The site chosen for Sri Harmandir Sahib was the same land where Sri Guru Ramdas Ji had earlier begun the excavation of the sarovar in 1577, which came to be known as Amritsar (the pool of nectar). Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, envisioned a central place of worship for Sikhs that would be open to all, regardless of caste, creed, or gender. He personally supervised the construction and appointed Baba Buddha Ji, a revered Sikh elder who had served under the first four Gurus, to lay the foundation stone. This act symbolized the humility and equality that are core to Sikh teachings.
The construction of Sri Harmandir Sahib was a monumental task carried out through kar seva (voluntary labor). Sikhs from all walks of life, including saints, scholars, and common people, came together to dig the sarovar, carry bricks, and build the structure. Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji himself participated in the manual labor, setting an example of selfless service. The foundation stone was laid with prayers and hymns, marking the beginning of a project that would become the spiritual heart of the Sikh nation.
The architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib was designed to reflect Sikh principles. Unlike other places of worship, it was built at a lower level than the surrounding land, symbolizing humility. It had four doors on all four sides, signifying that people from all four directions and all backgrounds were welcome. The Guru Granth Sahib was later installed inside, and the shrine became a place where Sikhs could gather for worship, community service, and reflection.
The completion of Sri Harmandir Sahib in 1604 was a milestone in Sikh history. It was inaugurated with the installation of the Adi Granth, compiled by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji himself. The sarovar was completed later and became known as Amritsar, giving the city its name. Over the centuries, Sri Harmandir Sahib has been renovated and expanded, but its original foundation remains a testament to the vision and dedication of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji and the Sikh community.
Today, Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib stands as a symbol of Sikh faith, unity, and service. It attracts millions of pilgrims and visitors from around the world who come to pay their respects, take a dip in the sacred sarovar, and partake in the langar (community kitchen). The foundation stone laid by Baba Buddha Ji under the guidance of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji continues to inspire Sikhs to uphold the values of humility, equality, and selfless service.