Humanities Religion & Spirituality Sarovar - Sacred Pool Share Flipboard Email Print Golden Temple Sarovar Amritsar, the Pool of Immortal Nectar. Photo © [Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa] Religion & Spirituality Sikhism Origins & Development Sacred Scriptures & Texts Sikh Life & Culture Sikh Baby Names Christianity Catholicism Islam Judaism Hinduism Buddhism Latter-Day Saints Taoism Alternative Religion Angels & Miracles Holistic Healing Paganism / Wicca Astrology Atheism & Agnosticism View More by Sukhmandir Khalsa Sukhmandir Kaur is an educator who has written hundreds of articles on topics relating to Sikhism. Updated June 03, 2017 Definition: The word sarovar may mean pond, pool, lake, or ocean. In Sikhism a sarovar refers to the sacred waters of a pool, or moat like tank, built around or close to gurdwara. A sarovar may be: A square or rectangular open pool with steps descending into the water.A moat like structure completely or partially surrounding the gurdwara fed from a river or other water source.A covered tank or well beneath the ground.A fountain and pool.A trough. The sarovars located at various gurdwaras were originally built for practical purposes including fresh water supply for cooking and bathing. In modern times the sarovars are used primarily by pilgrims for washing feet or for performing spiritual ablution known as isnaan. The sacred waters of some sarovars are considered to have curative properties because of the continual prayers of Sikh scripture recited in the vicinity. Alternate Spellings: Sarowar Examples: One of the most famous sarovars is a moat like structure completely surrounding the Golden Temple, Guruwara Harmandir Sahib, in Amritsar India. The sarovar is fed by the River Ganges, known by locals as the Ganga. Excavation of the sarovar was begun by Guru Raam Das the fourth spiritual master of the Sikhs. His son and successor Guru Arjan Dev completed the sarovar and described it in these words:"Raamdaas sarovar naatae||Bathing in the sacred pool of Guru Raam Das,Sabh laathae paap kamaatae||2||All the sins one has committed are washed away."||2|| SGGS||624 Continue Reading