Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar [Images] Thursday amidst the tightest-ever security deployed for a VVIP visit by the state police.

When Dr Singh entered the Golden Temple complex at 6 am with wife Gursharan Kaur over 800 policemen in civil dress were keeping an eye on any mischief makers.

Policemen were deployed at all the vantage points. Dr Singh spent over 35 minutes listening to shabat kirtan and ardas (a special prayer) was performed for him after which he and his wife left the complex.

Dr Singh and his wife were given siropas (robes of honour) outside the temple complex by the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee chief Avtar Singh.

Dr Singh later visited Durgiana temple and paid his respects there.

Dr Singh is in Amritsar to flag off the Amritsar-Nanakana Sahib bus service.