India has reopened the Kartarpur Corridor and now Sikh Yatrees have started arriving at Kartarpur again to perform their religious rituals. It is to be noted here that India closed the Kartarpur Corridor a few days ago on the pretext of the flood. The Sikh Yatrees were not able to perform their religious rituals due to the closure of the corridor.
Importance of Kartarpur Corrirdor:
- Religious Significance: The Kartarpur Corridor is a border crossing between India and Pakistan that connects the Sikh shrines of Dera Baba Nanak Sahib in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Narowal district, Punjab, Pakistan. It holds immense religious significance for Sikhs worldwide as it provides easy access to the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, who spent the last 18 years of his life at Kartarpur.
- Inauguration: The Kartarpur Corridor was inaugurated on November 9, 2019, on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The opening of the corridor fulfilled a long-standing demand of the Sikh community, allowing them to visit the historic Gurdwara in Pakistan without needing a visa.
- Visa-Free Travel: One of the unique aspects of the Kartarpur Corridor is that it facilitates visa-free travel for Indian pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan. Pilgrims are required to carry only a valid passport and are issued special permits for their visit, making the journey more accessible and hassle-free.
- Corridor Length and Facilities: The Kartarpur Corridor is approximately 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles) in length, with both India and Pakistan constructing passenger terminal buildings on their respective sides. The passenger terminal on the Indian side is equipped with immigration counters, customs facilities, and amenities to accommodate pilgrims. Electric buses transport pilgrims between the Indian side and the border, and they walk across to the Pakistani side.
- Historical Relevance: Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, located on the Pakistan side of the border, is of immense historical and emotional importance to the Sikh community. It is believed that Guru Nanak Dev Ji settled in Kartarpur after his extensive travels and established a peaceful commune focused on equality and devotion to God. The Gurdwara houses a sacred relic, believed to be Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s sandals, which is displayed to the public on special occasions.
The Kartarpur Corridor represents a significant step towards promoting people-to-people contact and enhancing religious tourism between India and Pakistan, fostering a sense of unity and harmony among the Sikh community across borders.
