Akal Takht also known as Akal Bunga, situated just opposite to the Golden temple is one among the five sacred Takhts of Sikhs; the others being Takht Shri Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo, Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur, Takht Shri Patna Sahib and Takht Shri Hazoor (Hazur) Sahib at Nanded. In Persian, the term Akal means 'the timeless one' and Takht means 'throne' . Hence, Akal Takht as a whole means 'The throne of the timeless one' (literally means Eternal Throne i.e. God.).

Built in 1609 by the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, Akal Takht is the place of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, the religious governing body of the Sikhs. It is a massive five story building standing on a marble paved platform. The ground floor was ready in 1774 and four stores were added later by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Golden dome was constructed by famous Sikh General Han Singh Nalwa. Akal Takht stands as a symbol of justice, political and military resistance against the Mughal Empire in the 17th and 18th century.

The holy book of the Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib is kept here. In every morning, it is taken out to the Golden temple as a procession and at night it is brought back to Akal Takht. It is also used as the warehouse to kept ancient weapons, used by the Sikh soldiers and Gurus. All instructions affecting the whole Sikh community are issued from here.

In 1984 during the army action called Operation Blue Star Akal Takhat was badly damaged by the Indian Army. The Government of India got the building reconstructed but it was demolished in early 1986 to be replaced by one raised through karseva, voluntary free service of the Panth and by money accruing from voluntary donations.