Heritage Street Golden Temple, Amritsar

The Golden Temple, Amritsar, India (Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar) is not only a central religious place of the Sikhs, but also a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. This was founded in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das. Everybody, irrespective of cast, creed or race can seek spiritual solace and religious fulfillment without any hindrance. It also represents the distinct identity, glory and heritage of the Sikhs. To pen-down the philosophy, ideology, the inner and outer beauty, as well as the historical legacy of Sri Harimandir Sahib is a momentous task. It is a matter of experience rather than of description. Recently, Chief Minister of Punjab decided to make the street from Entrance Gate to Golden Temple site as the best heritage street in the world. The façade along with the street that leads to the shrine has been refurbished. The idea was to give the place a vintage look , reminiscent of Amritsar that existed 400 years ago. More than 20 buildings and facades have been illuminated in this area.

Each façade was unique in construction and its requirements. Biggest hurdle was to mount fixtures in public places where there was no space available for mounting. The architects did not want to see the fixtures at all. Townhall was an existing façade and it was a part of the heritage site. No drilling , external mounting was allowed on the façade. The only way forward was to use good IP rated linear fixtures on the outdoor façade. Newly constructed Ranjit Singh Chowk (huge circular 7 level structure which conveys the stories of Sikh valor) has a big statue of Ranjit Singh with a fountain . The water app IP 68 fixture from iGuzzini has lit up the 65 lions so nicely at the bottom of the fountain from where the water oozes out.