Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur

Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur
ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਰਤਾਰਪੁਰ
گردوارا دربار صاحب کرتارپور‬
General information
Architectural style Sikh architecture
Town or city Kartarpur, Punjab
Country Pakistan Pakistan

Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur (Punjabi, Urdu: گردوارا دربار صاحب کرتارپور‬‎) is a gurdwara in Kartarpur, Narowal District, Punjab, Pakistan, 120 km from Lahore.[1] It is built on the historic site where Guru Nanak settled and assembled a Sikh community after his missionary travels. The present gurdwara is built on the site where Guru Nanak died,[2] on 22 September 1539.

The gurdwara is also notable for its location near the border between Pakistan and India. The shrine is visible from the Indian side of the border as Pakistani authorities generally trim the tall Elephant grass that would otherwise obstruct the view.[3] Indian Sikhs gather in large numbers on bluffs to perform darshan, or sacred viewing of the site, from the Indian side of the border.[4]

Location

The Shrine is located by the River Ravi within a distance of four kilometres from the Dera Sahib railway station. The gurdwara is located very close to the border with India.

Structure

The present building was built at a cost of Rs.1,35,600, donated by Sardar Bhupindar Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala. It was repaired by the Government of Pakistan in 1995, and fully restored in 2004, incurring expenditure in lacs of rupees. It has a spacious and beautiful building. Its location beside a forest and river Ravi makes its care difficult.

Significance

The gurdwara was built to commemorate the site where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, settled after his missionary work. He assembled a Sikh community there, and lived for 18 years until his death in 1539. The gurdwara is built where Guru Nanak is said to have died.[2]

Indian Sikhs gather in large numbers on bluffs on the Indian side of the border to perform darshan, or sacred viewing of the site.[4]

In May 2017, the US-based NGO EcoSikh proposed establishment of a 100-acre "sacred forest" around the shrine.[5]

Proposals for visa-free access

As the shrine lies only 3 kilometers from the border with India, Pakistan in the year 2000 agreed to allow Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the shrine visa-free by constructing a bridge from the border to the shrine.[6][7][8]

In May 2017, Indian parliamentary standing committee members announced that no such corridor would be established, given the poor state of India-Pakistan relations.[9] Instead, the government of India may install four binoculars for viewing of the site from the Dera Baba Nanak situated close to the Indo-Pak border in Gurdaspur district of the Indian state of Punjab.[4]

'Hug'plomacy

In August 2018, former Indian cricketer turned politician and current Tourism Minister of the Government of Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu was invited to the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. After being attacked over his decision to hug Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army, Sidhu claimed that Bajwa had assured him of opening the corridor before the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.[10][11]

Subsequently, Government of Pakistan in September 2018, decided to open the corridor before the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak for visa free entry of followers of Sikhism from India to Pakistan. [12] The step was highly appreciated by Sikh community. After the corridor opening was confirmed by Pakistan's information minister Fawad Chaudhry, Navjot Singh Sidhu appreciated his close friend Imran Khan for taking such a great step. [13]

References

  1. ↑ Daily Times
  2. 1 2 Singh, H. S. (2000). The Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Hemkunt Press. ISBN 9788170103011. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  3. ↑ "Pakistan 'blocks' darshan of Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib". Times of India. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "MP wants Kartarpur Sahib corridor to be in Indo-Pak talks agenda". Times of India. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  5. ↑ "'Sacred' forest mooted for Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib". Times of India. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  6. ↑ Accessed May 10, 2012 http://punjabnewsline.com/content/terisikhi-welcomes-pakistan-offer-open-kartarpur-sahib-corridor-sikh-pilgrims/21541
  7. ↑ Accessed May 10, 2012 http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-06-27/chandigarh/28304424_1_gurdwara-kartarpur-sahib-indian-sikh-pakistan-government
  8. ↑ http://kartarpur.com/15-11-2000.htm
  9. ↑ "'Corridor connecting India with Kartarpur Sahib shrine in Pak ruled out'". Tribune India. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  10. ↑ Singh, Jupinderjit (23 Aug 2018). "Kartarpur corridor mission for 24 yrs, he now sees hope". Tribune India.
  11. ↑ Singh, Rajmeet (22 Aug 2018). "Govt to approach PM on Kartarpur corridor". Tribune India.
  12. ↑ "Sikhs to get visa free access to Kartarpur Gurdwara, Pakistan".
  13. ↑ "Sidhu thanks friend Imran for Kartarpur corridor announcement".

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