New Delhi
It’s an irony that the legacy of the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanakdev, who spoke of unity of humans, is divided between India and Pakistan and her followers have to travel as aliens to Pakistan where many key shrines associated with him are located.
This year a jatha of 3,000 Indians visited Pakistan on the occasion of Guru Nanak’s anniversary, celebrated as Prakash Parv. This year the government of Pakistan issued visas to Indians for 10 days to pray at key Gurudwaras associated with Guru Nanakdev who was born in today’s Pakistan.:
Key shrines associated with Sikhism Founder Baba Nanak Devji in Pakistan:
Gurdwara Janam Asthan
1.Gurdwara Janam Asthan (Nankana Sahib)
A gurdwara here in Pakistan’s Punjab marks the birthplace of Guru Nanak in 1469. It is one of the holiest sites in Sikhism, built at the site of Guru Nanak's childhood home.He was born to Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta. The gurdwara forms an ensemble of nine important gurdwaras in Nankana Sahib. The shrine is frequently visited by Sikh pilgrims as part of a pilgrimage route in Pakistan. Nankana sahib has about 1500 Sikhs who take care of the Gurudwaras in the town. The place is about 75 km from Lahore.
2. Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur
Guru Nanak Dev spent the last days of his life at Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak. The exact location of Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak is on the left (or east) bank of the Ravi River on the Indo-Pak border. Guru Nanak Dev used to visit this site for meditation. On the right (or west) bank of the river Ravi Guru Nanak Dev founded the city of Kartarpur. At the age of 70, Guru Nanak Dev left for his heavenly abode from here.
The Gurdwara is in the territory of Pakistan, Indians can see it standing ashore on the East bank of River Ravi or from the town Dera Baba Nanak at a distance of about 4 Km. Indians can travel to the Gurudwara without a Visa and on a day-long permit. Of late, the corridor has become a place for uniting families divided by the partition of India.
This is where Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life. It houses Guru Nanak's final resting place and allows visa-free access to Indian pilgrims via the Kartarpur Corridor.
Gurdwara Panja sahib
3 Gurdwara Panja Sahib (Hasan Abdal, Pakistan)
This Gurudwara features a rock with Guru Nanak's hand imprint, marking where he stopped a boulder with his hand. It has the relic of Guru Nanak Dev - a big boulder with his hand imprints. The rock was thrown down by Wali Qandhari, an arrogant well owner who refused to give water to Mardana and asked him to ask Guru Nanak to quench his thirst instead. Guru Nanak Devji is believed to have stopped the boulder with his bare hand.
4. Gurdwara Saccha Sauda:
It’s located in Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan. The story behind it is that Guru Nanak as a young man was sent by his father Mehta Kalu, who was hoping to instill a sense of business in his son, to buy some goods. He was supposed to return home with the goofs and then sell and make a profit.
At least that was Mehta Kalu’s plan but along the way to his destination, the young Nanak came across some sadhus who were hungry and without food. The Guru decided to use the sum his father had given him (a sum of Rs. 20) to provide a meal, and langar for the Sadhus.
Returning home without any purchases Mehta Kalu was very annoyed. But young Nanak explained to his father that he had done a good deed, feeding the starving Sadhus, and gaining the best profit one could gain from the money. In memory of Nanak's gracious acts, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda stands there reminding us, that God wants us to share our earnings with the needy.
5. Gurdwara Rori Sahib
Gurdwara Rori Sahib located at Eminabad, Pakistan, is a sacred shrine that marks the site where, according to tradition, Guru Nanak after the destruction of the town had stayed with Bhai Lalo. Here the Guru had to sit and lie on a hard bed of pebbles (small stones called ror-ree in Punjabi) as alluded to in Bhai Gurdas Varan.
When the armies of Babar entered Punjab in 1521, Guru Nanak Dev was present in Eminabad. At the time of the capture of Eminabad, many locals were arrested, among whom was Guru Nanak Dev Ji. At the time of the arrest, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was sitting on the pebbles and was busy in his prayers. The Gurdwara stands at the place of the pebbles
6.Gurdwara Babe Di Ber:
It’s located in Sialkot, Punjab Province of Pakistan. This Gurdwara Sahib was built by a Sikh devotee named Natha Singh in the memory of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is said that Guru Nanak had taken a rest beneath the tree of berries at this place in Sialkot while returning from Kashmir. Also, Here Guru Nanak made Peer Hamaz Gauns his follower.
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