Kartarpur Gurdwara Darbar Sahib – Pakistan

Address

Kartarpur Gurdwara Darbar Sahib – Kartarpur, Shakargarh Tehsil, Narowal District, Punjab, Pakistan- 51800

Deity

Guru Nanak

Introduction

• Location: Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, also known as Kartarpur Sahib, is located in Kartarpur, Shakargarh, Narowal District, Punjab, Pakistan.
• Historical Significance: This gurdwara marks the site where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, settled after his missionary travels and lived for 18 years until his death in 1539.
• Holiness: Considered one of the holiest sites in Sikhism, alongside the Golden Temple in Amritsar and Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib.
• Proximity to India: The gurdwara is situated near the India-Pakistan border, making it accessible for Indian Sikhs, who gather on the Indian side to perform darshan (sacred viewing).
• Kartarpur Corridor: Opened on November 9, 2019, by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, the corridor facilitates Indian Sikhs’ access to the gurdwara, coinciding with the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
• Architecture: Claims to be the largest gurdwara in the world, featuring a prominent shrine visible from the Indian side.

Puranic Significance

• Founding of Kartarpur: Guru Nanak founded Kartarpur in 1504, where he plowed fields and established a community kitchen (Langar).
• Teachings and Principles: Here, he imparted the three principles of Kirat Karo (work hard), Naam Japo (remember God), and Wand Chako (share with others), advocating for peace, harmony, and universal brotherhood.
• Guru’s Final Resting Place: The gurdwara is built at the site of Guru Nanak’s death, making it the second holiest site in Sikhism.
• Cultural Legacy: After Guru Nanak’s death, there was a dispute between Hindus and Muslims over his remains, leading to the legend that his body transformed into flowers, which were shared between the two communities.

Special Features

• Historical Shrine: The main shrine was built in 1925, funded by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, and underwent repairs by the Pakistani government in 1995 and a full restoration in 2004.
• Sacred Forest Proposal: In May 2017, EcoSikh proposed the establishment of a 100-acre sacred forest around the shrine.
• Expansion: The gurdwara was expanded in November 2018, adding a new courtyard, museum, library, dormitories, and locker rooms over an area of 42 acres (17 hectares).
• Ancient Well: The site features a 500-year-old well, believed to have been constructed during Guru Nanak’s lifetime, made of small red bricks.
• Global Importance: The shrine attracts millions of Sikhs from around the world, making it a vital pilgrimage destination.

Century/Period/Age

500 years

Nearest Bus Station

Kartarpur

Nearest Railway Station

Dera Baba Station

Nearest Airport

Sialkot (SKT)

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