Kartarpur Corridor was opened in November 2019. Kartarpur Corridor is a border corridor between India and Pakistan that connects the holy Sikh shrines of Dera Baba Nanak Sahib in India with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. Up to a maximum of 5000 visitors can use the corridor every day.
Gurdwara Darbar Kartarpur Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan.
Dera Baba Nanak is one of the most sacred Sikh Places on the banks of river Ravi in India. Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Saint came here. Gurdwara Darbar Sahib was constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, which was part of the combined India before partition is now in Pakistan. Guru Nanak spent his last few years here. Gurdwara Tahli Sahib (Gurudwara of Baba Sri Chand, the eldest son of Guru Nanak), is also situated here.
Guru Nanak was claimed as a saint by Muslims as well after he died in 1539.
The corridor is a long pending demand of the Sikh devotees from India to visit the Gurdwara in Kartarpur. This holy Gurdwara is around 4.5 kilometers (2.9 miles) from the Pakistan-India border. It was first proposed in early 1999 by the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan. It took 20 long years for the proposal to make a reality. Indian and Pakistani Prime Misters officially inaugurated the pilgrimage corridor on their territories in November 2019.
This holy shrine was not taken care of by anybody after the India – Pakistan partition in 1947. India could do little as it was in Pakistani territory. India did try to raise the issue many times with Pakistan, but it was futile. The land-swapping idea also failed, as it was against the partition agreement.
The caretaker of the Gurdwara, Gobind Singh, said in 2002 or 2001 that the Gurdwara had remained shut from 1947 to 2000. Following this Pakistan took an interest in its opening.
What is the Procedure to use Kartarpur Corridor to Visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib?
To use this corridor from India, Indians must register four days in advance with the Central Home Ministry, through their website. Once your application is approved, you will be informed via email and SMS.
Documents for visiting the Holy Gurdwara Darbar Sahib
Visa is not required for Indians. However, a passport is required for identity purposes.
Entry Fee for using the Kartarpur Corridor
Even though there was some confusion about the entry fee, it now seems to be fixed at US Dollars 20 per visitor (US Dollars Twenty).
How to Go through the Kartarpur Corridor
You need to go to the newly constructed bus terminus at Kartarpur. There are frequent bus services for pilgrimage to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the holy shrine in Pakistan.
It takes about 20 minutes to travel from the border bus terminus in the Indian town, near the India-Pakistan border at Kartarpur. The bus terminus is spread over around 15 acres of land.
Visitors need to return on the same day. You are not allowed to visit any other place than the holy shrines.