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Praise for the Book
‘To engage with this volume is to enter an immersive ritual, lifting its weight, turning its large pages, moving slowly through its visual narrative. It slows the eye that lingers on the page with contemplative awe. Devotees know this feeling as Darshan.’
INDIA TODAY
About the Book
Granted unprecedented access to capture the daily life of an oasis of spirituality, author and renowned photographer, Tarun Chopra, has created not just a book but an offering of reverence, transcending the pages to capture the deep faith that binds the temporal to the spiritual.
Appearing alongside the author’s iconic photography are artworks drawn from archives, institutions and private collections from around the world. Merging cultural depth with these striking visuals, the book presents an expansive portrait of a place where history, culture, architecture and spirituality converge.
The accompanying narrative opens with an overview of the Sikh Gurus, followed by an exploration of the history and architectural evolution of Harmandir Sahib and the importance of Akal Takht. The sacred daily journey of the Guru Granth Sahib, from when it is carried from Akal Takht to Harmandir Sahib, to late at night when it is returned to its resting place, is depicted for the first time in a complete pictorial sequence. The reader is next immersed in the profound experience of darshan, capturing the sanctum’s spiritual energy, beauty and ambience. The close-up photography brings alive the shrine’s marble inlay, gilded work and ornamental panels, both inside and out. The book closes on a tribute to one of the world’s great living traditions of equality, where volunteers prepare and serve meals daily to all, regardless of caste, creed, religion or nationality.
Golden Temple: An Oasis of Spirituality is an exceptional gift for lovers of spirituality, art, architecture and cultural heritage alike. It is especially suited for devotees, travellers, collectors and anyone who seeks to experience the magnificence of the Golden Temple, an enduring shrine shaped by centuries of devotion, sacrifice and patronage.
About the Author
TARUN CHOPRA is arguably India's most unassuming artist. He has produced some of India's finest pictorial books, including bestsellers such as The Holy Cow and Other Indian Stories, Royal Palaces of India, India – Exotic Destination and Soul of India.
Tarun received his early education in Jaipur, the Pink City of India, and later studied at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, where he learned Spanish. Photography came to him almost by accident, inspired by a friend's casual remark: 'Since you travel so much, why don't you buy a camera?' From that day on, Tarun did exactly that, eventually teaching himself the art.
Today, his work is published worldwide. He has held sold-out exhibitions in Barcelona and New York, and his photographs now decorate homes across both cities and beyond. Back home in India, one of the country's most prestigious hotel groups, The Oberois, has used his work to adorn the interiors of their various hotels.
For author events, talks and interviews see our What's On page.
Design: Tarun Chopra & Satya
Publication Date: 20 September 2026
ISBN: 9789363364639
Publisher: Presented on behalf of Speaking Tiger Books
