In pictures: Pakistan welcomes scores of Sikh pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in landmark ceremony
The opening comes just days ahead of the Guru Nanak's 550th birthday on November 12.
Hundreds of Indian Sikhs made a historic pilgrimage to Pakistan, crossing through a white gate to reach one of their religion's holiest sites, after a landmark opening of the Kartarpur corridor on Saturday.
Cheering Sikhs walked joyfully along the road from Dera Baba Nanak in India towards the new immigration hall that would allow them to pass through a secure land corridor into Pakistan. Some fathers ran, carrying their children on their shoulders.
Buses were waiting on the Pakistani side to carry them along the corridor to the shrine to Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak, which lies in Kartarpur, a small town just four kilometres (2.5 miles) inside Pakistan where he is believed to have died.
“Generally people say that God is everywhere. But this walk feels like I'm going to directly seek blessings from Guru Nanak,” Surjit Singh Bajwa told AFP as he walked towards the corridor, crying as he spoke.
Pilgrims on both sides of the border hoped the corridor might herald a thaw in South Asian tensions.
Among the first pilgrims was former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who told Pakistani state media that it was a “big moment”.
Many believe it has happened now because of the friendship between Prime Minister Imran Khan, a World Cup winning cricketer-turned politician, and India's Navjot Singh Sidhu — another cricketer-turned-politician.
Many were emotional, some in tears. Others posed for selfies before a giant gold-and silver-coloured kirpan, the dagger which Sikhs must carry with them at all times as an article of their faith.
“Life is short,” said one of the Indian pilgrims, Davinder Singh Wadah. “Everyone has to go... so why not enjoy life and make this world a heaven, and I think this initiative is the beginning of it. “
The opening comes just days ahead of the Guru Nanak's 550th birthday on November 12 — an anniversary of huge significance for the global Sikh community.
Header image: Sikh pilgrims visit the Shrine of Baba Guru Nanak Dev at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, on Saturday. — AFP
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Comments (84) Closed
Nov 09, 2019 10:35pm
IK, so much in one year? Good on you, my man. God bless you.
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Nov 09, 2019 10:36pm
May God bring peace between the two countries
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Nov 09, 2019 10:42pm
Thank you Dawn for beautiful pictures
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Nov 09, 2019 10:43pm
Welcome - Sikh pilgrimes. We must enhance surroundings of Kartarpur to instil betauty with a touch of spiritualism. Not many people know Sikhs believe in One God. Their holy book reflects Islamic teachings. Congratulation to Imran Khan for a job well done. Don't forget we also inherit spiritual places of highest honor for Buddhists and Hindus as well. Pakistan is and ought be viewed as Holy (Pak) land.
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Nov 09, 2019 10:52pm
Pluralistic Pakistan. Where every religion is respected.
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Nov 09, 2019 11:09pm
It is a great day of friendship between India and Pakistan. Long live friendship.
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Nov 09, 2019 11:13pm
Never imagined that Pakistan can pull up such a harmonious sight with one of its minorities and Indian nationals.
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Nov 09, 2019 11:18pm
Pakistan opens Kartarpur and we give a mob that lynched a mosque what they wanted. Death of secularism in india. Well done Pakistan.
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Nov 09, 2019 11:20pm
Beautiful pictures!
Thanks Dawn.
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Nov 09, 2019 11:26pm
Nice
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Nov 09, 2019 11:26pm
'This is the beginning' --- Pakistan PM Imran Khan Niazi (at Kartarpur, 9 November 2019).
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Nov 09, 2019 11:31pm
Punjab greets their ancestors.
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Nov 09, 2019 11:41pm
Looking amazing, we need more footage
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Nov 09, 2019 11:49pm
Beautiful so lovely to see this happening
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Nov 09, 2019 11:51pm
Pakistan's PM Imran Khan has done what all other politicians in
India / Pakistan had failed to do in 70 years - open the Kartarpur corridor for Sikh pilgrims to visit the shrine of Baba Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. This was the dream / demand of worldwide Sikhs. The holy shrine was expanded and developed to welcome thousands of Sikhs from all over the world. Pakistan is a land of peace, friendship and love.
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Nov 10, 2019 12:02am
Gorgeous pictures. Welcome Sikh community.
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Nov 10, 2019 12:09am
Thank you Pakistan, PM Imran Khan and General Bajwa.
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Nov 10, 2019 12:22am
Life is a precious gift. Nice pictures. Thanks.
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Nov 10, 2019 12:25am
Beautiful place of worship, beautiful people, with beautiful ideas of peace and harmony.
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Nov 10, 2019 12:30am
Great coverage and beautiful pictures by Dawn ! Great job !
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Nov 10, 2019 12:34am
This government has raised our heads among international community and Sikhs brothers all over the globe.
Baba Guru Nanak was a sufi saint according to islamic traditions. He spent his last days in kartarpur among Muslims and Sikhs equally. He was so loved by both that both claimed him after his death. That tells it all.
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Nov 10, 2019 12:38am
Beautiful pictures! May this help ease tensions between the two neighbors.
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Nov 10, 2019 12:49am
Beautiful pictorial memoirs of the great occasion of the Sikhs, most of them visiting the shrine of their religion's founder, first time in their lives.
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Nov 10, 2019 01:07am
The best and colorful images. Full of vibrance and happiness.
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Nov 10, 2019 01:10am
Great event for Sikh brothers
Great job by Imran Khan to build relationship with the Sikh community.
Building bridges is all about .
Hope Modi will learn and be kind to Kashmiri brethren .
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Nov 10, 2019 01:11am
Good gesture towards our Sikh brethren
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Nov 10, 2019 01:17am
Very beautiful pic.
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Nov 10, 2019 01:28am
As usual, Commendable coverage. Thanks Dawn
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Nov 10, 2019 01:29am
Looks beautiful. Every one seems happy. Great achievement
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Nov 10, 2019 01:31am
Nice pictures
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Nov 10, 2019 01:36am
Beautiful.
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Nov 10, 2019 01:39am
May this prove to be a Good Omen
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Nov 10, 2019 01:41am
Stunning pictures of the memorable historical occasion.What more could make the Nation of Pakistan happy than to see thousands of Sikhs enter
Kartarpur to celebrate their Guru Nanak's 55oth birth anniversary so happily.
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Nov 10, 2019 01:41am
I wish this becomes the beginning of a very much possible border free Union of South Asia on similar lines as the European Union. Some might say it's premature and a wild idea... But no harm day dreaming. Maybe by some miracle love wins and hate looses.
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Nov 10, 2019 01:55am
This is great occasion in Pakistani history that we recognize other half of Punjab. Thanks Imran Khan.
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Nov 10, 2019 02:04am
Long peaceful journey always start with a small step gesture first. Way to go . It is a first brave step to break the trust deficit.
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Nov 10, 2019 02:11am
This is the most important time in this century to see the people of both the nation are so happy and meeting each other cordially.
Definitely credit goes to PM Imran Khan and its ministries and the love of Navjot Singh Sidhu. This is the example of the pluralism.
Pakistan Zindabad.
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Nov 10, 2019 02:16am
We welcome our Sikh brothers and sisters to Kartarpur, its a joyful moment for us to see the happiness an gratitude on our sikh community, its only due to Imran Khan & the establishment to make it possible in such a short span of time, I hope Modi should learn from this gesture and show some respect to our Kashmiri families and MAKE PEACE IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD
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Nov 10, 2019 02:28am
What a joyful event to have our Sikh brothers and sisters in Pakistan. Sincerely
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Nov 10, 2019 03:04am
Beautiful pictures. Good revenue generation for our country.
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Nov 10, 2019 03:08am
Congrats to all sikhs. Pleased to see all those smiles on their faces. Hope to, one day mend relations with Indian hindues too, solve the outstanding issues and live like the European countries live side by side.
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Nov 10, 2019 03:17am
Beautiful photo coverage for which DAWN is so reputed. Thanks.
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Nov 10, 2019 03:18am
Very good function and photos
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Nov 10, 2019 03:46am
Respecting the rights of people from other religions is a noble act. Pak government deserves commendation. Hopefully such support will continue to be provided to other religions in Pakistan as well.
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Nov 10, 2019 03:51am
A great gesture by Imran Khan. Let us hope that this will be the beginning of better relations between the two countries.
Are non- Sikh Indians allowed to go to the shrine? There are many Hindus, particularly among the Sindhis,
who also worship Guru Nanak.
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Nov 10, 2019 03:53am
Amazing pictures - Thank you Dawn!
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Nov 10, 2019 04:22am
Great pictures
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Nov 10, 2019 04:23am
Great visuals. We welcome the Sikh yatrees with open arms.
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Nov 10, 2019 04:28am
Thanks a lot Imran. With this decision you have won hearts of millions. Hopefully this gesture will go a long way and help bring peace and prosperity in the region.
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Nov 10, 2019 04:36am
It's a historic moment taking place in the Punjab. It's a return to the atmosphere of respect, trust and tolerance which existed before the Partition. Very sad that ruling BJP of India has chosen to advance violent communal political ideology in their country.
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Nov 10, 2019 04:40am
Beautiful Pictures again DAWN did fantastic coverage.
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Nov 10, 2019 04:43am
Salute Dawn for great service. Wonderful pictures.
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Nov 10, 2019 04:52am
Correct and smart move by Pakistan.
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Nov 10, 2019 05:05am
Wahe Guru ! This is a positive step by Imran Khan. No one can debate the importance of Kartarpur for Hindus and Sikhs alike, I hope the intent behind this is Noble then all of us should embrace it. This should open new doors to normalize India & Pakistan relations. Thank you.
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Nov 10, 2019 05:14am
Very good gesture from H.E Imran Khan ; the PM - we love Sikh ; welcome to them to Pakistan.
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Nov 10, 2019 05:18am
Pakistan, the land of all people and all faiths while India has become the land of hindus and no one else. Shame.
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Nov 10, 2019 05:54am
1. What a great gesture by Pakistan. You have won our hearts
2. Great images. Money cannot buy such publicity. Only genuine generosity can
3. I wish for peace and prosperity for all our sisters and brothers on both side of the border
I think the worst between the two countries is behind us. Despite what some people may try, we are on the road to living as peaceful neighbours. Look how far we have come this calendar year alone.
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Nov 10, 2019 06:27am
simply beautiful...wish peace prevail between two countries and common people of both the countries can travel easily.
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Nov 10, 2019 06:54am
Congratulations 550th Prakash Utsav Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
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Nov 10, 2019 06:56am
Thanks Prime Minister IK and Gen. KJB for creating this atmosphere of mutual respect and harmony.
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Nov 10, 2019 06:56am
What beautiful pictures.
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Nov 10, 2019 07:02am
Beautiful pictures of this historic occasion. Best wishes for the Sikh communities all over the world.
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Nov 10, 2019 07:06am
True, this is just a Bigining, and both of us ( Pakistan & India ) should take benifit of this long awaited initiative in the very very best interest of their poorest people life on both sides of the border.
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Nov 10, 2019 07:25am
Thank you Pakistan!
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Nov 10, 2019 07:30am
Very beautiful pictures, which is worth million words.
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Nov 10, 2019 07:40am
good investment. hope will get good return as well
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Nov 10, 2019 08:43am
Heartwarming and inspiring photos!
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Nov 10, 2019 08:56am
As usual Dawn 's brilliant pictures
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Nov 10, 2019 09:28am
The pictures are amazing and so is the initiative. Lets change our perspectives and think of progress, freedom, success!
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Nov 10, 2019 09:28am
this is awesome , amazing . Thanks to Imran khan
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Nov 10, 2019 10:35am
A massive welcome to Pakistan and enjoy the hospitality of the people of Pakistan..
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Nov 10, 2019 10:47am
Pakistani-Americans look forward with pride for bringing peace between Pakistan and India. This is a great effort in interfaith peace. Such model should be copied all over the world.
Iftekhar Hai, President United Muslims of America Interfaith Alliance
www.umaia.net
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Nov 10, 2019 11:12am
Truly a historical day. Kudos to India and Pakistan for making this happen despite on going tensions.
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Nov 10, 2019 11:56am
Religious harmony, brotherhood, tolerance, mutual respect, friendship, love, peace, and humanity are beyond borders. Well done #IK
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Nov 10, 2019 12:44pm
Beautiful Pictures. LOVE Peace!!
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Nov 10, 2019 02:02pm
any hindu temple vist allowed as such
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Nov 10, 2019 02:26pm
Mr. Imran Khan has done wonderful job. Incredible. Deserves Nobel peace price. He did two good things. India so far not returning the favor.
Sundar S.
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Nov 10, 2019 07:34pm
Kudos Dawn! One picture is worth a thousand words, and what better way to do than to cover the historic event through the stunning pics!
Many thanks for allowing us a glimpse of this milestone event through your apt coverage!
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Nov 10, 2019 07:35pm
Imagine peace in our region, give Imran Khan a chance and sit down with him, talk peace, talk eliminating poverty, talk trade, talk people to people interaction, talk easing the border so people on both sides can visit their families and where it all started. This is all very workable, but it’ll take both sides, Imran Khan cannot clap with one hand.
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Nov 10, 2019 08:15pm
Thanks and hope friendship will continue AL-Hamdulliah !
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Nov 10, 2019 08:45pm
well done IMRAN KHAN..this is how other countries should follow to bring peace and love among all nationals
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Nov 10, 2019 10:21pm
This is beautiful, honestly. What a lovely scene and most of all this is in the spirit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teachings. Beautiful. Thank you Imran Khan.
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Nov 10, 2019 10:28pm
Very pretty shrines.
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Nov 10, 2019 10:42pm
Pakistan stands for Peace.
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