Shri Kalgidhar Satsang Mandal organized a trip to the holy Kartarpur Sahib on 14th June 2022. We reached Amritsar via Delhi and then headed to Dera Baba Nanak Gurudwara, which is nearly 40 km from Amritsar. After resting fora night, we visited Gurdwara Chola Sahib in the morning and before going to Kartarpur, all the devotees got their RT-PCR test done. Then we traveled another 5-6 km to reach the Kartarpur Corridor, where our identities were verified by the officials from Governments of India and Pakistan.
Anyone who wishes to go to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan needs to register his name free of cost in the portal for Kartarpur Sahib Registration, for which one’s passport and Aadhar card are required.
Registration closes 15 days before the intended date of the visit. After verification of our documents by the relevant authorities is done, the acceptance letter (Electronic Travel Authorization, i.e., ETA) is sent nearly 2-3 days before the journey on the registered mail id/ mobile number.With this ETA, we reached the Kartarpur corridor, where we were supposed to pay 20 dollars (about Rs 1620 in INR).
After verification, we were taken to the Pakistan border in a battery car, where we found a huge picturesque gate, which separated the two countries. At the Pakistan border, the Pakistani authorities also checked our passports and ETA.
All of us pilgrims then sat in a bus and reached the gate of Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib.
Further, we were given some instructions at this gate before entering the Gurudwara premises, such as covering the forehead, not keeping intoxicants, keeping ourfootwear in the designated place, etc. We were told about the location of the Gurdwara, langar hall, Guruji’s field, etc., along withdirections to proceed from one place to another.
The Gurudwara premises is within a radius of about 4-5 km. For those who could not walk, there was a provision fora battery car, and wheelchair.The campus was very clean and beautiful. There is peace and a lovely atmosphere all around.
Government employees of Pakistan were very cooperative. At the same time, local Pakistani servicemen were providing free services. Guru Nanak Dev Ji stayed here during the last 15 years of his lifetime. Guru Nanak Dev Ji reached Lahore connecting everyone with the name of God, and camped at a beautiful place on the banks of the Ravi River.
Hearing the glory of Guruji, many devotees came there to listen to his preachings. Everyone felt that he was a great saint, whose mere sight removed all sins. What he uttered with his mouth was the ultimate truth.He did not get angry with anyone and appeared asa symbol of peace.
The Muslims started saying that either God Himself had come and assumed the form of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, or he was a beloved servant of God. They started considering him as a Peer. At the same time, Hindus started considering him a Guru. The people of the four varnas were happy to get the solution to their problems from Guruji and were holding great reverence for Guruji in their hearts.
Many people of Lahore became Guruji’s devotees. In this city, lived a Kshatriya named Bhai Karoriya. He ruled over the people of Lahore. Hearing Guruji’s praise from people, he became jealous of Guruji. Karoriyatried to test Guruji.
But on knowing the glory of Guruji, his ego broke down, and he fell at Guruji’s feet. The place where Guruji stayed was presented to him with love. Guruji built a Dharamshala there and named this place ‘Kartarpur’. Guruji was involved in agriculture here during his lifetime. Those farms still exist today. Guruji had disciples among both Hindusand Muslims.
When his last moment came, Guruji went into a room and vanished. Hindus and Muslims started quarreling among themselves over the last rites of Guruji.They found that there was only a sacred cloth (Chaadar) and flowers in the room, while Guruji himself had left for Sachkhand. Half of the cloth was taken by the Muslims, which they buried outside the Gurdwara. ADargahstands at this spot today.
While the Hindus burnt the other half of the cloth as per their rituals, where Guruji’s Samadhi and Gurudwara are located today.Both these holy places were visited by the devotees. After this, we took a bath in the beautiful Sarovar, where there are separate arrangements for men and women. Thereafter, everyone had delicious Langar in the Langar hall. There is also a market for Pakistani goods on the premises.
We found peace and solace in our visit to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. The Kartarpur campus opens at 8.30 am, and one can stay there till 5-6 pm. After that, we came back to the border. There was good cooperation from the employees of Pakistan, who were very courteous. This journey was
unforgettable. Every devotee must visit this holy place of Guruji, which is open throughout the year. Another trip will be held this year under the aegis of Shri Kalgidhar Satsang Mandal, from 14th to 20th November 2022.
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