Kartarpur Sahib is a small town in the district of Narowal Punjab, Pakistan, but its importance has increased due to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. It’s a sacred place for Sikhs because Baba Guru Nanak spent the last years of his life here. The place is also known as Guru Ghar, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur corridor and Kartarpur Sahib.
Kartarpur Darbar Sahib is one of the world’s largest Gurdwaras that’s only 4 km away from the India-Pakistan border near the historic town of Dera Baba Nanak, District Gurdaspur, India. The Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib is the second holiest site of the Sikh religion after Gurdwara Janam Asthan (Birthplace of Guru Nanak in Nankana sahib), both are in Pakistan.
Kartarpur Corridor
Kartarpur corridor is a visa-free border crossing, that connects the Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Punjab to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan Punjab. Kartarpur corridor is a dream come true for Sikhs.
In 2018, Prime minister Imran Khan announced that the Government of Pakistan was opening the border of Kartarpur Sahib for Sikhs. It has been a longstanding wish of the Sikh community that won the hearts of all Sikhs around the world. Kartarpur Sahib became one of the top tourist attractions for people visiting Pakistan.
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Prime Minister Imran Khan had inaugurated the Kartarpur corridor in November 2019, just days before the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, and said that: “Kartarpur corridor now ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims from across the world”.
Chief of Army staff Pakistan, General Qamar Javed Bajwa said: “It’s a step towards peace which our region needs”.
This historic moment allows Indian Sikh pilgrims visa-free entry to the Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. The Pakistani Government makes the procedure very easy for Sikhs, paying minimal fees with no complicated visa requirements to come here. In a short period, the dream of the Kartarpur Corridor became a reality. It allows 5000 devotees to enter from the Indian side on daily basis, but the figure can go up to 10000 on special occasions.
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Now it’s easy for Sikhs to see this holiest place through the Kartarpur corridor. Sikhs wholeheartedly thank Mr. Imran khan and the Government of Pakistan. They said that Imran became a permanent part of our history. The Government of Pakistan issued a commemorative coin on October 2019 to mark the 550th anniversary of the founder of the Sikh religion Baba Guru Nanak. It also shows respect, diversity, and harmony.
In Pakistan, every minority has all rights. Sikhs live happily and feel the pleasure of performing religious rites at these holy places. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah (the founder of Pakistan) says that “You are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed, that has nothing to do with the business of State”.
Kartarpur corridor is a milestone between the two countries. The only reason to open the corridor is for happiness, peace, and love between two countries and religions. The corridor is also known as the Corridor of Peace. It’s not opening the border but the hearts of the Sikh community. Pakistanis warmly welcome their guests and they return with many beautiful memories.
Features of Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib
The Government of Pakistan developed a lot in the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib and complete this mega-complex in 10 months only. The total land of this place is 104 acres and the constructed area is on 42 acres, so the leftover land after the constructed part is used for harvesting.
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur was further expanded with the construction of a courtyard, Kartarpur model, art gallery, a vast langer hall, library, dormitories, and locker rooms. Darbar Sahib has spread over 42 acres of constructed area, including a currency exchange office and an immigration center with 130 counters. There is a beautiful market for shopping Pakistani handy crafts, households, and some amazing items.
Kartarpur Sahib has three wells but the famous one is Siri Kho which was used by Baba G (Guru Nanak). Now the well is used by the followers of Baba Guru Nanak who had come here. Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib is a two story building in white color with gold detailing makes it very eye-catching. The combination of white and golden glitters in the sunlight shows an incredible picture. On the walls of the Gurdwara are inscribed the words of Baba Guru Nanak. The night view of the Gurdwara is also worth being seen.
The Sikh pilgrims are very happy that Pakistan has done all this for them. There is still much to be done here, including five-star hotels, Apartments, residencies, museums, markets, etc. Everyone should come and visit this milestone.
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History of Kartarpur Sahib
Baba Guru Nanak founded the Kartarpur town by the Ravi River in 1504 and lived here for 18 years until his demise on September 22, 1539. He reached this destination between 1520 and 1522 and named it Kartarpur Sahib.
The existing building of the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1925 after the original was destroyed by the floods of the river Ravi. From the partition in 1947 until 1995, for 48 years the Gurdwara remained closed. After that, it was repaired by the Pakistani Government in 1995 and fully restored in 2004.
Location of Kartarpur Corridor
Kartarpur Sahib is present in the district Narowal (Shakerghar) Punjab, Pakistan. It is 119 km from Lahore Pakistan, and 52 km from Amritsar India. The Gurdwara is only 4 km away from the India-Pakistan border near the historic town of Dera Baba Nanak, District Gurdaspur, India. While visiting Kartarpur sahib do not forget to visit nearby historic city Lahore’s Top 10 places.
Things that keep in mind
- Visitors cannot carry a weight of more than 7 kg,s.
- They are not allowed to stay overnight.
- People cannot bring more than 11000 rupees in cash.
- Only Indians and overseas can visit the site by Kartarpur corridor and will have to pay a service charge fee of 20$.
- Pilgrims visiting the Kartarpur Sahib without a visa just require a special grant.
- Kartarpur Corridor allows 5,000 Sikhs pilgrims to come and leave the same day.
