In the same week that a relatively quiet judgment of the Ram Janam Bhoomi happened, Sikh pilgrims have been gearing up for the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev. Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan recently took to social media to share some images of the Kartarpur complex and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, as an intimation that the venues are ready to welcome pilgrims.
What’s the Hype about?
The Kartarpur Corridor will connect the ‘Dera Baba Nanak Shrine’ in Punjab, India with the Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur, which is just at a distance of 4 kilometers from the International Border.
2,200 Sikh pilgrims from India arrived at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan’s Punjab province to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, as the Kartarpur Corridor opens.
The History
The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev’s birthplace is Sri Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. The Gurdwara Janamasthan Nankana Sahib was built here, where he was born.
Following Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s proposal to open the Kartarpur corridor, which is also being cited as a ‘religious tourism’ move by many, thousands of Sikhs have traveled to Pakistan to bow their heads at the holiest place in their religion.
Time Trail
The Sikh Pilgrims carried along the “Gold Palki” and placed it at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib.
- 1,100 Sikhs crossed via Wagah Border on October 31 to attend the celebrations at the Kartarpur Sahib along with Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar.
- A total of 2,200 Sikh pilgrims arrived in Pakistan’s Punjab this week.
- They were received by senior officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).
- The pilgrims left for Gurdwara Janamasthan Nanakana Sahib.
- The pilgrims visited other Gurdwaras in the Punjab province and attended the opening ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor on November 9.
- The main event is set to happen on November 12, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
The Sikh pilgrims are said to be fully facilitated and fool-proof security is said to have been provided to them.
Along with this, as a continuation of bilateral ties between the county, it was announced recently that around 5,000 Sikh pilgrims from India will be able to visit daily after the inauguration of the corridor by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
As per sources, the Pakistan Government has also made it mandatory for tour operators to have their NoCs in place (a No Objection Certificate), for them to take other Sikh pilgrims (from across the world), to Kartarpur Sahib, and other holy places of worship. This is to avoid any security problems with their uncoordinated visits to holy places.
It is said that the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab government has opened a motel in Nankana Sahib to help pilgrims with their stay and food. The TDCP declared that the motel has 19 rooms and needed facilities for an amicable stay.
The Sikhs in Peshawar
While Indian Sikhs were seen overjoyed; In Pakistan’s Peshawar, the Sikh community celebrated the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor. There was a function held at the Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh in Peshawar. Shaukat Yousafzai the provincial information minister ensured there is peace and religious freedom in Pakistan aiding tourists a safe visit to religious sites in the country.
Pakistan also abolished the condition of passport for Sikhs coming to Kartarpur. The service fee of 20 dollars was also scraped for those coming for the inaugural ceremony and on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak on November 12.
What’s Next?
Pakistan has been in quite a fix recently and it will be interesting to note how things unfold in the coming times now that all eyes are on them (especially after most countries supporting India’s move on Article 370).
The landmark agreement was signed last week to open the historic Kartarpur Corridor to allow Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the holy Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. India and Pakistan in unison have decided to let through 5,000 pilgrims every day to visit the place of worship.
In addition to this, more pilgrims will be allowed on special occasions, keeping in mind the capacity expansion of facilities by Pakistan.
India and Pakistan have also decided that the corridor will be operational through the year and seven days a week and that pilgrims, except kids and elderly persons, will have a choice to visit it as individuals or in groups.
(with inputs from the Press Trust of India)
Also, read about the most ancient Gurudwara of Indore: Imli Sahib Gurudwara
