The Darbar Sahib gurdwara Kartarpur, commonly known as Shri Kartarpur Sahib, is a gurdwara in the Punjab region of Pakistan’s Shakargarh, specifically in the Narowal District. But, why Kartarpur Sahib is famous? Let’s learn about that! First, we’ll take a closer inspection at the gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib history, which makes up for quite an interesting premise. Then, we will learn the importance of Kartarpur Sahib. Additionally, you’ll also learn how to reach Kartarpur from India, or specifically, how to reach Kartarpur Corridor from Amritsar. Let’s dive in!
A noteworthy feature of the gurdwara is its proximity to the Pakistan-India border. From the Indian portion of the border, one can see the shrine. The story surrounding this location is intriguing, to say the least.
Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib History – Why Kartarpur Sahib Is Famous?
The Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib history is very insightful. The Gurdwara was actually constructed to honour the location where Sikhism’s founder, Guru Nanak, stayed after finishing his spiritual activities, engaging in agriculture and farming-related chores. The town of Kartarpur is said to have been identified by Guru Nanak himself.
This happened in 1504. There, he started ploughing the farms. He also built the Langar or kitchen shared by the community. He also established a Sikh commune. He remained there for the next 18 years, before meeting his demise on September 22, 1539.
Where Guru Nanak is reputed to have died is said to be the site of the gurdwara, which is also why Kartarpur Sahib is famous. As affirmed by Sikhs, this particular place is considered very holy and auspicious. This encapsulates the importance of Kartarpur Sahib.
Also Read- The 5 Teachings Of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Story Of Birth, Life And Death
Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor
The corridor is responsible for linking the Dera Baba Nanak in India with the Shri Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara, which falls under the Pakistan borders. These two significant sacred sites were, unfortunately, split in 1947 by the Radcliffe Line, and Kartarpur Sahib came under Pakistan’s domain.
The esteemed, historically significant gurdwara is only a kilometre away from the border shared between the two nations, but for years, devotees had to drive 125 miles to Lahore to get there.
What Is Kartarpur Corridor?
Visa-free entry to Pakistan’s revered Darbar Sahib is available to Indian pilgrims via the safe, secure and well-maintained Kartarpur Corridor. In essence, the corridor runs from Pakistan’s gurdwara Darbar Sahib to the Indian border.
The momentous accord between India and Pakistan to build the Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was established in 2018. It links the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in the Punjabi town of Gurdaspur with that of the Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan’s Narowal area.
The agreement is enforceable for 5 years, and both parties may choose to end it by issuing a one-month’s notice.
Struggle And Challenges Of Kartarpur Corridor Agreement
The road to this agreement was not a smooth one. Following are some of the challenges that were faced while coming up with the accord:
- The Narowal district, where the auspicious and holy gurdwara is situated, was reportedly home to a suspected JeM (Jaish-e-Mohammed) terrorist training centre, according to media reports from November 2019. The Pakistani Foreign Office saw these accusations as being without merit.
- An unexploded bomb was displayed within the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara establishments in 2019, in a controversial act. A banner, there, claimed that the Indian Air Force had planted the bomb on the gurdwara during the Indo-Pakistani war, that took place in 1971.
- The Sikh community had detailed their opposition to such events. They were tired of their holy place being exposed to political subjugation, which, as believed by many, was said to have been driven by propaganda.
- Several politicians and spokespeople had opposing opinions on the matter.
Importance Of Kartarpur Sahib: Why Kartarpur Corridor Is Important To Sikhs?
Numerous hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikhs’ sacred text, are thought to have been written by Guru Nanak in Kartarpur. While dwelling at the holy place, the great Guru passed away. In Kartarpur, two shrines honouring Guru Nanak were built by followers of both Hindu and Muslim faiths.
Kartarpur Corridor opens up the door to global cooperation and coexistence. It holds great religious and spiritual significance to the Sikh community, within Indian borders, who previously had a more time-consuming, effort-induced experience with having to visit the holy complex.
On 9th November 2019, the Kartarpur Corridor was inaugurated for the Sikh pilgrims. This finally allowed the pilgrims to view the place. The corridor, according to many, represents a substantial endeavour to heal the gaps in Sikh memory caused by the partition, a reason why Kartarpur Sahib is famous.
Hindu followers of Nanak or Nanakpanthis have also received the chance of reestablishing their connection to Sikh tradition around this circumstance. It has given everyone a strong chance to mend South Asia’s severely wounded colonial history. Additionally, the opening of the corridor offered a good opportunity to talk about its importance for relations between India and Pakistan.
How To Reach Kartarpur From India
Here’s how to reach Kartarpur from India for those who wish to make a pilgrimage to Shri Kartarpur Sahib. You may apply online at the following government portal: prakashpurb550.mha.gov.in
Indian worshippers can now take a trip to the historic and momentous Karatpur Gurudwara without the need for a visa thanks to the construction of the Kartarpur Corridor. The border between India and Pakistan is five kilometres away from the site.
How to Reach Kartarpur Corridor From Amritsar
Amritsar is 50 kilometres away from the Kartarpur Corridor, which has good train and road connections. The regular train schedule includes one from Amritsar and three from ‘Verka” Junction, about 8 kilometres from the heart of Amritsar. This is how to reach Kartarpur Corridor from Amritsar.
Conclusion
Peaceful coexistence should never be a utopian myth, needing constant efforts to be achieved. Regardless, a step towards such an endeavour is remarkable nonetheless. This step has not only highlighted the importance of Kartarpur Sahib to the Sikh community but also allowed for the sacred site to be further accessible to Indian citizens.
Now, on visa-free terms, residents of India can visit the Shri Kartarpur Sahib at their convenience. Bookings and applications are open via government portals. Therefore, one can pay their respects and go on pilgrimage this year by looking at the procedures for applying. They’re easy and quite frankly, effortless.
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