I Went To Kartarpur Sahib On 28th November 2021 And It Was A Priceless Experience.
Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara:-
- The Gurudwara has two separate entries for Indians and Pakistanis before they meet inside the premise. The main Gurudwara is in the center and the whole complex surrounding it, terminal buildings, and roads were made within 10 months by Imran Khan and the team. And that’s why I felt $20 is justified. Kudos to them for such a beautiful facility. The complex is huge and extremely well maintained. The Gurudwara and the complex stand tall in white and shine bright.
Mesmerizing Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara:-
It’s a huge open area where people walk, talk and relax with the main shrine in the middle. Though it mentions covering your head inside the premise, it’s not strictly followed. Also the whole religious feel of the place is subdued due to the location and the fact that Indians and Pakistanis visiting the area. Nonetheless, the main shrine is extremely well maintained and it’s just to cover your head when going inside. The hymns are played on the first floor, and you have a place to sit there. First things first, I headed to the main shrine for darshan and spent some time soaking in the atmosphere.
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The facilities are top-notch. There’s a locker facility where you can keep your bags. Ample public convenience and drinking water setups. There’s also one Religious Discussion room where there are art installations by Pakistani artists showcasing Sikhism from their point of view. There were some really nice installations there! Meet and Greet Pakistanis at Gurudwara
Further, like we Indians are given a yellow tag, Pakistanis are given blue or red tags. Couldn’t ask why it is so. I was looking for anyone with this tag and started talking with them. You start talking to one, and soon there’s a group of people around you. You share your interests, work, life, food, cricket, and everything else. Lots of selfies and photos taken, numbers exchanged and social media following starts. And yes people in Pakistan are PUBG addicts too! And lastly, everyone there felt the need for more such initiatives where common people can meet and spread love and happiness. I met quite a few people and it was amazing to know their side of the story.
Shopping at Kartarpur Corrdior:-
When you have foreigners (read Indians) visiting Kartarpur Corridor, how can you not have a shopping area? Right next to the Pakistani entrance is a small shopping complex. There are small shops selling everything from handicraft items, food, clothes et all. There’s also a money exchange counter there. I did have some cash to spend and being a foodie, I bought eatables. I visited the tuck shop there and bought chocolates, biscuits, chips, and drinks. All of it is not available in India. Apart from these, I also bought Hafiz Sohan Halwa from there. Below is my shopping loot after visiting Kartarpur Corridor.
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- It is a landmark step in the history of India and Pakistan relations. So before anything else, the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan deserves applause for this initiative. The entire facility was built for the Indian pilgrims and must say they’ve done an amazing job. The whole process is seamless and you get the utmost care, attention, and affection. Mr. Modi to deserves his share of applause too for this. It’s great that anyone and everyone is allowed to visit the Kartarpur Corridor irrespective of their religion. Further, this is the only place where you can meet and greet Pakistani people. Because apparently getting a Pakistani Visa isn’t easy. I would suggest you plan a darshan to the Gurudwara and get an experience of a lifetime. Trust me doing darshan in a foreign country especially Pakistan, meeting like-minded people and walking across the border, and returning back to India is surreal. I made a lot of friends there and inshallah we will plan to meet again at the same place.
