The Harmandir Sahib — gilded in gold leaf and surrounded by the sacred Amrit Sarovar pool — is the most sacred site in Sikhism. It is open to everyone, regardless of religion, 24 hours a day. Cover your head (scarves available at the entrance), remove your shoes, and wash your feet in the shallow channel before entering.
The best time to visit is early morning, around sunrise, when the light on the gold is extraordinary and the crowds are thinner. The evening kirtan (sacred music) is equally worth staying for. Pilgrims file past the inner sanctum in a slow, continuous stream — join the queue and you'll be swept along at a meditative pace.
The langar, attached to the temple complex, is one of the largest community kitchens in the world. Volunteers serve simple dal, sabzi, and roti to everyone who shows up. Eat here.