In the tehsil Shakargarh, District Narowal in Punjab, Pakistan, there is a town with the name of Kartarpur. The first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak, is credited with creating it when he established the first Sikh commune on the right bank of the Ravi River. The Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak in India and the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan are connected by a visa-free border crossing, nonetheless. The Gurdwara at Kartarpur, Pakistan, which is just 4.7 kilometres (2.9 miles) from the India-Pakistan border, is open to worshippers from India without a visa. Sikhs from Pakistan cannot utilise the border crossing or travel to Dera Baba Nanak in India unless they first obtain an Indian visa or find employment there.
A Complete Tour Guide
1- History
Pakistan is revered as a holy land by Sikhs. The final 18 years of the life of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith, were spent in Kartarpur. On September 22, 1539, Guru Nanak left for his heavenly home. Hindus and Muslims disagreed over whether to perform the funeral rites through cremation or burial, and both faiths carried out the burial in accordance with their traditions. This makes a Samadh and Mazaar’s existence obvious. As a result, the Gurdwara is thought of as the Sikh religion’s most hallowed temple.
The current building was later built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19th century after the old house (Gurdwara) established by Guru Nanak in 1515 was destroyed by floodwaters from the Ravi River. The Sikh community moved to India after India’s 1947 partition, leaving the Gurdwara in ruins. The Gurdwara has been a goal of the Sikh community in India and around the world since 1947.
It is about 4-5 kilometres from the Pakistan-India border. The Pakistani government has now released it to the public in both Pakistan and India as of November 9, 2019. A Memorandum of Understanding between Pakistan and India governs the Kartarpur Corridor. 5000 individuals are permitted to enter each day from the Indian side.
2- Demography
The majority of the population speaks Punjabi and Urdu. English is sometimes used as a third language. The ethnic groups mostly consist of Juts, Rajputs, and Gurjars. The vast majority of people are Gujjars. There are a few masjids in the town. A small number of Hindus and Sikhs moved to India after British India was divided in 1947, but many Muslim refugees from India chose to settle in Kartarpur.
3- Gurudwara Complex Design
Two commercial areas, hundreds of apartments, a hotel of world standards, two-car parking lots, two commercial areas, a power grid station, a border facility area, a number of offices, and a visitor centre will all be part of the complex. For the purpose of constructing the neighbourhood and major gurudwara complex, the Pakistani government bought roughly 400 acres of land. The main temple complex has grown 10 times, from its original 4 acres to 42 acres. The master plan for the Gurudwara complex was made with future requirements for tourists from nations other than India in mind.
4- Facilities
At the Dera Baba Nanak train station and Integrated Check Post, pilgrims can now use free rail wire WiFi. This service is provided by RailTel Corporation of India. Six campus electric carts from Jalandhar-based Republic Motors were provided to pilgrims in order to get them from the Integrated Check Post (ICP) to the zero point. As part of the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on November 8, 2019, that the Delhi government will pay for all costs and fees related to the Kartarpur Sahib pilgrimage. However, foreigners can exchange their money from here through Kartarpur’s foreign exchange brokers.
5- Which Website Is Responsible For Registering A Visit To Kartarpur Sahib?
Registration for visitors to Kartarpur can be done at http://www.prakashpurb550.mha.gov.in. The website is now active and live, and all users are required to enter their personal data in the part labelled “apply online” (instead of Pakistanis).
6- What To Do On The Visit To Kartarpur Corridor?
Pilgrims and other tourists from Pakistan can visit the nearby viewing point of the Passenger Terminal in addition to visiting the shrine of Baba Guru Nanak, from which they can see Kartarpur Sahib, the Pakistani Passenger Terminal, and the India-Pakistan Border Fence. There are several street food vendors and a Gurdwara that offers langar close to the corridor entrance.
The good news is that you will have easy access to the Gurdwara if you’re a Pakistani and worried about fees or whether you’ll be allowed to enter. However, you must always carry your CNIC with you. When you register, you’ll receive a visitor’s card that you must keep on you at all times.
7- Is It Necessary To Take A Covid-19 Test Before Visiting Kartarpur Sahib?
Yes. All foreign visitors must have a Covid negative RTPCR report that is less than 72 hours old, according to Pakistani government requirements. Visitors may be subjected to a quick antigen test once they reach Pakistan.
Best Time to Visit Kartarpur Corridor
1- For Pakistanis
The optimum time to get to the Gurdwara is before 1:00 p.m. because you’ll need at least 2 hours to go inside and an hour and a half to tour around. The official closing hour is 6:00 p.m., although anyone arriving after 3:30 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. would be denied entry.
2- For Foreigners/Indians
It is preferable to arrive early in the morning so that you can easily park your car and visit the shrine. By 10 a.m., the area becomes crowded and packed with worshippers visiting the viewpoint.
Important Conditions
1- Basic Things To Know Before Visit
Only Indian residents or foreign citizens are permitted to pass via the corridor; Pakistanis are not.
Children and senior citizens of all ages are welcome to apply.
The above-mentioned Indian Government website is the only place where Indians may register online.
New registration for the second visit can be done after 15 days of travel along the corridor.
However, Pakistani citizens don’t need to apply for any kind of registration.
Key Notes
If you want to visit Kartarpur, www.flypakistan.pk can definitely arrange a trip for you. You should also rent a car from here after or before travel. However, if you want to stay here for more than one day. No doubt, you need good accommodation to stay in. Whether you are alone or you are with your family, or with a group. www.flypakistan.pk (An Online Hotel Booking Website) can book cheap hotels for you based on your need with the best facilities.
Read More: Sikh Yatra in Pakistan: A Spiritual Journey to Remember
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