NAROWAL: The three-day events of Baba Guru Nanak’s 481st death anniversary concluded at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Shakargarh tehsil of Narowal district.

Sikh pilgrims from all over the world, including Pakistan, attended various ceremonies that began on Sunday. They performed their religious rites at the samadhi of Guru Nanak and paid respects to the founder of Sikhism, all while observing social distancing, using hand sanitisers and wearing face masks.

For the first time, a large number of the pilgrims took out the Nagar Kirtan procession in cars and buses from the gurdwara to the Pakistan-India Zero Point where they performed their religious rites and then returned to the gurdwara.

The pilgrims who had come from various parts of the world took a round of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib complex and visited the museum as well. They had food at the langar with drinks, tea and fruit. The pilgrims also took pictures and selfies at the gurdwara.

Sardar Gulsher Singh and Sardar Harmandar Singh said the Pakistan government had spent billions of rupees to implement the Kartarpur Corridor project and completed it within a year. He said Sikhs had been given complete freedom and protection to perform their religious duties through Kartarpur Corridor.

Gulsher Singh said Sikhs were grateful to Pakistan and its government for the kindness. The government took proper care of and protected the places of worship of minorities, he added.

Strict security arrangements were made for the three-day events of Guru Nanak’s death anniversary. Only security card holders were allowed to enter Kartarpur.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2020