1,303 Indian Sikh Pilgrims depart for Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan

With the inauguration day for the Kartarpur Sahib corridor coming close, 1,303 Indian Sikh Pilgrims departed for Pakistan via the Attari border to celebrate in the 550th Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. 

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the body that manages Sikh shrines in India, is organising the pilgrimage that will conclude on November 14. Over a 1000 devotees will visit various Sikh shrines, like Nankana Sahib Gurudwara (the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev) in Punjab province — Panja Sahib in Hasanabdal city and Kartarpur Sahib.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Kartarpur corridor on November 9, post which pilgrims from India will be able to visit the corridor on the occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 550th Prakash Purab celebrations on November 12.

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PM Modi on Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 550th Prakash Purab

During his 58th 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address, Prime Minister also briefly spoke about the 550th Prakash Purab celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, which will be celebrated across the world on November 12. PM Modi stated the significance of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teachings.PM Modi said, "November 12 is the day, when, the whole world will celebrate the 550th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Today not only India but the whole world is witnessing the impact of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. There are many Sikh brothers and sisters across the world who are completely dedicated to the teachings and beliefs of Guru Nanak."

While talking further about Guru Nanak Dev Ji's dedication towards 'service', Prime Minister said, "He always kept service above everything else. Guru Nanak dev Ji believed that there is no service in the world which is greater than selfless service. During his days, he even stood firmly against social evils like untouchability." 

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About Kartarpur corridor

Both India and Pakistan after tough negotiations had signed a landmark agreement over the Kartarpur Corridor that would allow Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the holy Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. Both the countries mutually decided that 5,000 pilgrims can visit the shrine daily and more pilgrims will be allowed to visit on special occasions, subject to capacity expansion of facilities by the Pakistani side. Pakistan had earlier declared that Sikh pilgrims from India would only need a valid ID and no passport to travel to Kartarpur.No 10 day advance registration will be required to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. The Pakistani PM had also declared that the pilgrims who arrive on the day of the Kartarpur corridor's opening on November 9 and the 550th birth anniversary of the Sikh Guru on November 12 would not be charged a fee of USD 20 to visit the holy shrine.

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