NAROWAL: Three-day rituals of the 482nd death anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak start today (Monday) at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.
Sikh pilgrims from across Pakistan and all over the world are arriving at the gurdwara to participate in the festival. The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and the Evacuee Trust Property Board have completed the arrangements for accommodation and transport of the pilgrims.
On September 21, a large number of Sikh pilgrims would travel from Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur to Pakistan-India Border with a procession of Nagar Kartan.
Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee memeber Sardar Inderjit Singh said the purpose of the Nagar Kartan procession to the border was to invite and inform the Sikhs living in India to participate in the celebrations.
All roads leading to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib have been cordoned off by security personnel. Unauthorised persons have been barred from entering the gurdwara. Police and Rangers will patrol New Lahore Road, Muridke Road and Shakargarh Road. The pilgrims have been asked to strictly follow the COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).
In August, Pakistan announced it will allow pilgrims who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur for the death anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) held a meeting and unanimously decided to allow Sikh pilgrims to visit Kartarpur in the Narowal district under strict COVID-19 protocols.
Besides a maximum of 300 people will be permitted to assemble at a time at the darbar. A month ago, Pakistan has lifted travel restrictions from 11 countries including India.
On March 16, 2020, both India and Pakistan had temporarily suspended the day-long pilgrimage in wake of Covid 19 and also suspended the registration for the Kartarpur Sahib pilgrimage.
However, on October 2, 2020, the Pakistan government announced to unilaterally open the Kartarpur Sahib pilgrimage but India denied to reciprocate the gesture.
India and Pakistan signed the Kartarpur corridor agreement on October 24, 2019. Under the pact, Indian pilgrims of all faiths are allowed to undertake visa-free travel through the Kartarpur corridor to Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib.
