Object size: 3.0 x 2.5 x 0.5 cm
Sikh temple tokens such as this example, depicting religious motifs and designs, were created in various Sikh religious centers in India. Some popular temples issuing these tokens included the Akal Takht (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, the Takht Hazur Sahib in Nanded, the Takth Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur, the Takth Patna Sahib in Patna, etc. Tokens were produced by goldsmiths or silversmiths in gold, silver or brass, to be purchased by pilgrims. They often had loops attached so they could be worn as religious medallions. Imagery included depictions of Guru Nanak with his companions, Guru Gobind Singh with his falcon, and inscriptions of the moolmantra, the opening verse of the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib.On this token, Guru Nanak is depicted with two companions, Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala. They were childhood companions of Guru Nanak who followed him on his travels and are often depicted alongside Guru Nanak in illustrations of him. Bhai Mardana, to the left, is shown playing a rabab (stringed instrument) while Bhai Bala holds a chaur (flywhisk). Guru Nanak is seated on a raised, cushioned seat, delivering his lessons. His sandals appear in the foreground, and a stylized tree acts as a canopy. The reverse of the token is embossed with the moolmantra.
