The Akal Takht was heavily damaged in the 1984 assault, but has since been completely restored, solely through volunteer labor.  Sikhs lay great stress on the importance of doing service to the community through donating one's time and labor.  Sometimes it is easy to see, as in construction projects (such as building these new flagpoles in the square near the Akal Takht).  At other times such service is shown through humble but necessary tasks--mopping the marble floors of the temple complex (which is how it remains so sparklingly clean), taking and retrieving shoes for visitors, and serving as security (as the man with the orange coat and blue turban in the lower right). 

This photo was taken in January 2003.

Here's a closer shot of the men working on the scaffold, who may or may not be trained builders.  Sikhs are famous for their mechanical ability (a stereotype, to be sure, but one that is often enough true), and the community has no shortage of talent.  You can also see how sketchy the safety arrangements are, both in the scaffolding and in the platforms. 

This photo was taken in January 2003.

Here is the gateway to Guru's Bridge, which leads from the Akal Takht to the Harmandir.  At the bottom left is the storage place for the palanquin on which the Guru Granth Saheb is transported to and from the Harmandir (taken out there in the morning, and brought back at night). 

This photo was taken in January 2003.