# Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur | Kartarpur Sahib > Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur (Kartarpur Sahib), Pakistan — the sacred site where Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent his final 18 years. Second holiest shrine in Sikhism. ![Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/thumb.php?f=Kartarpur%20Guru%20Nanak.jpg&w=1200) Historical regional # Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, reverently known as Kartarpur Sahib, stands as one of the most sacred and historically profound sites in all of Sikhism. Situated in the town of Kartarpur within the Shakargarh Tehsil of Narowal District in Punjab, Pakistan, the gurdwara occupies the hallowed ground where Guru Nanak Dev Ji — the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus — spent the final eighteen years of his earthly life. Positioned on the right bank of the Ravi River, approximately 4.7 kilometres from the India-Pakistan international border, this shrine is widely regarded as the second holiest site in Sikhism, surpassed only by Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib — the birthplace of Guru Nanak. The gurdwara marks the place where Guru Nanak established the town of Kartarpur, believed to mean 'the abode of God' (Kartar meaning God and Pur meaning town or abode). Here, around 1515, after completing his great missionary journeys known as the Udasis across the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, Arabia, and beyond, Guru Nanak settled with his family. He began farming the land along the Ravi River, demonstrating the principle of honest labour, and assembled a growing congregation of devoted followers who gathered each day for spiritual instruction and communal worship. Kartarpur thus became the first tangible Sikh settlement — the birthplace of the Sikh community, or sangat, as a living institution. At Kartarpur, Guru Nanak articulated and practised three foundational principles that remain central to Sikh theology and daily life: Kirat Karo (earn your livelihood through honest labour), Naam Japo (meditate upon the name of God), and Vand Chako (share your earnings and blessings with others). The langar — the Sikh tradition of a free communal kitchen open to all — was formalised here, breaking caste and social barriers by ensuring that all visitors, regardless of background or belief, sat together as equals and shared a meal. The site is managed by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) under the Government of Pakistan, which has undertaken multiple phases of preservation, restoration, and development. The complex today encompasses approximately 42 acres and includes the main shrine building, a museum, a library, dormitories for pilgrims, locker facilities, and an ancient brick well believed to have been constructed during Guru Nanak's own lifetime. The complex is accessible to Indian Sikh pilgrims via the Kartarpur Corridor — a landmark bilateral agreement between India and Pakistan — inaugurated on 9 November 2019, granting visa-free pilgrim access for the first time since the Partition of British India in 1947. ## Significance Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur holds a place of extraordinary spiritual and cultural significance within the Sikh tradition. As the site where Guru Nanak spent his final 18 years and ultimately departed from this world, it is considered the culminating destination of his earthly mission — the place where all the teachings gathered across his lifelong journeys were put into lived, communal practice. The gurdwara is revered as the birthplace of the Sikh way of life: it was here that the institutions of the sangat (congregation), the pangat (communal sitting for langar), and kirtan (devotional singing) were established as daily pillars of Sikh practice. For Sikhs worldwide, a pilgrimage to Kartarpur Sahib is a deeply emotional and spiritually transformative experience — a connection to the origin point of their faith. The site also carries interfaith significance: the tradition that both Muslim and Hindu devotees wished to honour Guru Nanak's remains according to their own customs speaks to the ecumenical reach of his message. The site is believed to contain both a mazaar (Muslim memorial) and a samadh (Sikh-Hindu cremation memorial), though much of the original structure was lost to flooding over the centuries. In the contemporary era, the Kartarpur Corridor has elevated the gurdwara to new geopolitical and diplomatic importance — representing a rare example of India-Pakistan cooperation and serving as a symbol of hope and reconciliation for millions of Sikhs on both sides of the border. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### گرو کھنڈا صاحب ਗੁਰੂ ਖੰਡਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ گوجرانوالہ ڈویژن, India 231 m away گرو کھنڈا صاحب is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in India. It is situated in India, the birthplace of Sikhism and home to the largest Sikh population in the world. As with all gurdwaras, گرو کھنڈا صاحب welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ### Gurdwara Shri Darbar Sahib Dera Baba Nanak India 6.0 km away 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily; open all days ... Gurdwara Shri Darbar Sahib Dera Baba Nanak stands as one of the most historically and spiritually significant Sikh shrines in the Punjab, enshrined within the small border town of Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India. Situated on the left bank of the Ravi River, barely a kilometre from the India-Pakistan international border, this sacred complex occupies a site indelibly linked to the life, ministry, and mortal remains of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469–1539), the founder of Sikhism and its first Guru. The gurdwara complex comprises three distinct memorial structures — the main Darbar Sahib, the Thara Sahib (the sacred platform), and the Ajitta Randhawa Well — collectively commemorating the spot where Guru Nanak is said to have first sat and preached upon arriving in this locality, and where, following his passing at Kartarpur in 1539, his ashes were later interred by his son Baba Sri Chand. That act of preservation gave the town its very name: 'dera' (permanent abode) of Baba Nanak, consecrating this ground forever in Sikh devotional memory. Today, the gurdwara draws pilgrims, Sikh history enthusiasts, and tourists from across India and abroad. Since November 2019, its significance has been amplified dramatically by the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor — a visa-free pilgrimage passage linking Dera Baba Nanak to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan, where Guru Nanak spent the last eighteen years of his earthly life. The Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) at Dera Baba Nanak now serves as the Indian gateway to this corridor, enabling up to 5,000 pilgrims daily to cross the border without a visa. From the border fence itself, the distant white dome of Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is visible across the Ravi plain, adding a profound emotional dimension to every visit. The gurdwara is administered by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex Sikh religious body overseeing most historical gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. A new multi-storey building was recently inaugurated, attended by SGPC President Advocate Dhami, combining devotional space with modern facilities for pilgrims. The premises feature a spacious prayer hall, a continuously running langar (community kitchen), accommodation blocks, and open courtyards. Dera Baba Nanak itself, though modest in size, is home to at least three major historic gurdwaras: Darbar Sahib, Gurdwara Sri Chola Sahib (which preserves a cloak believed to have been gifted to Guru Nanak in Baghdad by a Muslim devotee), and Tahli Sahib, associated with Baba Sri Chand. Together these form a sacred circuit that pilgrims traditionally complete during a visit to this town. The serenity of the gurdwara, the profound weight of its history, and the emotionally stirring experience of glimpsing Kartarpur Sahib across the border combine to make Gurdwara Shri Darbar Sahib Dera Baba Nanak an increasingly prominent destination for Sikhs in India and for the global Sikh diaspora alike. Historical ### ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ਡੇਰਾ ਬਾਬਾ ਨਾਨਕ Dera Baba Nanak, India 6.0 km away ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ਡੇਰਾ ਬਾਬਾ ਨਾਨਕ is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in India. It is situated in India, the birthplace of Sikhism and home to the largest Sikh population in the world. As with all gurdwaras, ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ਡੇਰਾ ਬਾਬਾ ਨਾਨਕ welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ### Gurdwara Sahib Ajnala Tahsil, India 16 km away Gurdwara Sahib is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in India. It is situated in India, the birthplace of Sikhism and home to the largest Sikh population in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Gurdwara Sahib welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ## Detailed History The story of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur is inextricably bound to the life and legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469–1539). After decades of extensive travels — his four great Udasis that took him across the breadth of the Indian subcontinent and as far as Mecca, Baghdad, Sri Lanka, and Nepal — Guru Nanak is believed to have settled permanently at Kartarpur around 1515. He established the town by the banks of the Ravi River, tilled the soil alongside his followers, and built the first formal Sikh commune. His death on 22 September 1539 at this very location added immeasurable sanctity to the site. According to tradition, both his Muslim and Hindu followers debated at the time of his passing whether to bury or cremate his remains, a story that reflects the universality of his spiritual appeal. The earliest physical structures at Kartarpur did not survive the centuries intact, as the Ravi River repeatedly flooded and shifted course, causing severe damage to early construction. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire, is credited with constructing a notable structure at Kartarpur in the early 19th century during the height of Sikh political power in the Punjab. However, subsequent floods and the turbulence of history again took their toll. The current main shrine building was constructed in 1925, funded by Sardar Bhupindar Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala, at a reported cost of approximately Rs. 1,35,600. Following the Partition of British India in 1947, Kartarpur fell on the Pakistani side of the newly drawn international border, and the majority of the Sikh community migrated to India. For decades thereafter, Indian Sikhs could only gaze at the gurdwara from across the border at Dera Baba Nanak in Indian Punjab. The Pakistani government undertook restoration work in 1995 and again in 2004 to preserve the complex. A transformative chapter began in 2018 when Pakistan announced the construction of the Kartarpur Corridor — a dedicated passage enabling Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the shrine without a traditional visa. The corridor was inaugurated on 9 November 2019, coinciding with the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, allowing the first batch of over 550 pilgrims to cross from India and visit the shrine. The complex was briefly closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic before subsequently reopening to pilgrims. ## Structures in the Complex ### Main Shrine — Darbar Hall Primary Prayer Hall The central shrine building constructed in 1925, funded by Maharaja Bhupindar Singh of Patiala. It features a prominent white dome flanked by decorative minarets in Indo-Sikh and Mughal architectural style. The darbar hall houses the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy scripture) and is the focal point of all religious worship and kirtan at the gurdwara. ### Historic Brick Well (Guru Nanak's Well) Heritage Structure A 500-year-old brick well believed to have been constructed during Guru Nanak's own time at Kartarpur, making it one of the oldest surviving physical artefacts associated with the Guru. The well is preserved within the gurdwara complex and serves as a tangible, material connection to Guru Nanak's daily life at the site. ### Museum and Library Complex Educational Facility A modern museum and library facility developed as part of the 2018 expansion of the complex. The museum features exhibits on the life, travels, and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the history of Kartarpur, and the development of Sikhism. The library holds religious texts and historical records relevant to Sikh history and the Kartarpur site. ### Langar Hall Community Kitchen and Dining Hall A large communal dining and kitchen facility providing free meals (langar) to all visitors without distinction of faith, caste, gender, or nationality. The langar hall can accommodate several hundred diners simultaneously and operates throughout the day. The institution of langar was formalised by Guru Nanak at Kartarpur, making this hall spiritually symbolic as well as functionally significant. ### Pilgrim Dormitories and Facilities Block Pilgrim Accommodation A modern residential block constructed as part of the 42-acre 2018 expansion, providing overnight accommodation for pilgrims. The facilities block also includes locker rooms for the safe storage of valuables, washrooms, and administrative offices. These facilities were developed by the ETPB in anticipation of the Kartarpur Corridor's inauguration and the expected increase in pilgrim footfall. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code All visitors must cover their head with a headscarf or turban before entering the gurdwara. Shoes must be removed at the entrance. Modest, respectful attire covering arms and legs is expected. ### Photography Photography is generally permitted in the outer courtyards and grounds. Respectful, non-disruptive photography inside the main prayer hall may be allowed; visitors should follow guidance from gurdwara staff. Drone photography requires special permission. ### Etiquette Tobacco, alcohol, and non-vegetarian food are strictly prohibited within the premises. Visitors should wash their hands and feet at the entrance. Loud conversations and photography inside the prayer hall should be avoided. Sit respectfully on the floor of the darbar hall. ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) The langar hall can accommodate several hundred diners simultaneously. During peak pilgrimage seasons and Gurpurabs, multiple sittings are arranged to serve the large volume of pilgrims. Seating Capacity ## Architecture The present main shrine of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur is a graceful structure constructed in 1925, blending elements of traditional Indo-Sikh and Mughal architectural styles. The building features a prominent central dome finished in white, flanked by decorative minarets that rise elegantly against the Punjab skyline. The façade is rendered in white marble and plaster, lending the complex a serene, luminous appearance characteristic of Sikh sacred architecture. Within the 42-acre complex developed in its modern form from 2018 onwards, the main prayer hall (darbar) is surrounded by a wide, paved courtyard that accommodates large congregations during festivals and significant observances. The complex also includes a museum dedicated to the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, a library, residential dormitories for pilgrims, and administrative facilities. A 500-year-old brick well — believed to date from Guru Nanak's own time at Kartarpur — remains preserved within the grounds as a tangible material link to the Guru's era. The overall design harmonises traditional Sikh architectural sensibilities with modern pilgrim infrastructure, reflecting both reverence for the site's antiquity and Pakistan's commitment to its preservation. ## Structures in the Complex ### Main Shrine — Darbar Hall Primary Prayer Hall The central shrine building constructed in 1925, funded by Maharaja Bhupindar Singh of Patiala. It features a prominent white dome flanked by decorative minarets in Indo-Sikh and Mughal architectural style. The darbar hall houses the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy scripture) and is the focal point of all religious worship and kirtan at the gurdwara. ### Historic Brick Well (Guru Nanak's Well) Heritage Structure A 500-year-old brick well believed to have been constructed during Guru Nanak's own time at Kartarpur, making it one of the oldest surviving physical artefacts associated with the Guru. The well is preserved within the gurdwara complex and serves as a tangible, material connection to Guru Nanak's daily life at the site. ### Museum and Library Complex Educational Facility A modern museum and library facility developed as part of the 2018 expansion of the complex. The museum features exhibits on the life, travels, and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the history of Kartarpur, and the development of Sikhism. The library holds religious texts and historical records relevant to Sikh history and the Kartarpur site. ### Langar Hall Community Kitchen and Dining Hall A large communal dining and kitchen facility providing free meals (langar) to all visitors without distinction of faith, caste, gender, or nationality. The langar hall can accommodate several hundred diners simultaneously and operates throughout the day. The institution of langar was formalised by Guru Nanak at Kartarpur, making this hall spiritually symbolic as well as functionally significant. ### Pilgrim Dormitories and Facilities Block Pilgrim Accommodation A modern residential block constructed as part of the 42-acre 2018 expansion, providing overnight accommodation for pilgrims. The facilities block also includes locker rooms for the safe storage of valuables, washrooms, and administrative offices. These facilities were developed by the ETPB in anticipation of the Kartarpur Corridor's inauguration and the expected increase in pilgrim footfall. ## Events & Celebrations ### Religious Festival #### Guru Nanak Gurpurab (Prakash Purab) The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, celebrated with great fervour each year in October or November (on the full moon of the Kartik month per the Sikh lunar calendar). The gurdwara witnesses its largest pilgrim attendance during this period, with non-stop kirtan, akhand paths (continuous readings of the Guru Granth Sahib), and expanded langar services. The Kartarpur Corridor sees peak footfall during this celebration. ### Religious Observance #### Jyoti Jot Diwas (Departure Anniversary of Guru Nanak) Observed on 22 September each year to mark the anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's departure from this world at Kartarpur in 1539. This solemn occasion is of particular significance at Kartarpur Sahib as the site of the event. Special prayers, kirtan programmes, and langar are organised in remembrance. ### Religious and Cultural Festival #### Baisakhi Celebrated each year on 13 or 14 April, Baisakhi marks the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. It is also the traditional harvest festival of the Punjab, deeply connected to Guru Nanak's teachings of honest labour (Kirat Karo). Kartarpur Sahib hosts special programmes and a large langar during Baisakhi. ### Commemorative Observance #### Kartarpur Corridor Anniversary Observed each year on 9 November to mark the anniversary of the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor in 2019. Special pilgrim jathas (groups) from India are organised to mark the occasion, and the event is recognised by both the Indian and Pakistani governments as a symbol of bilateral goodwill. ### Religious Gathering #### Maghi Mela Observed in January to commemorate the battle of Muktsar and the sacrifice of the Forty Muktay (liberated ones). As with most major Sikh observances, Kartarpur Sahib organises special prayers and langar for visiting pilgrims during this period. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Significance Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur is the site where Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, spent the final 18 years of his life and passed away on 22 September 1539. It is here that the core institutions of Sikh communal life — the sangat (congregation), the langar (free communal kitchen), and the pangat (sitting together as equals) — were established and practised. It is considered the second holiest site in Sikhism. ### Visit Planning Indian Sikh pilgrims can visit Kartarpur Sahib via the Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated on 9 November 2019. The corridor provides a dedicated, visa-free route from the Kartarpur Corridor Passenger Terminal at Dera Baba Nanak in Indian Punjab directly to the gurdwara in Pakistan. Pilgrims must register through the Indian government's online portal and carry a valid Indian passport. There is no entry fee to visit the gurdwara itself. Indian pilgrims using the Kartarpur Corridor may be subject to a government-mandated service fee. Visitors should check the current fee requirements with the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs or the official Kartarpur Corridor portal before planning their visit, as this has been subject to periodic revision. The most auspicious and vibrant time to visit is during Guru Nanak Gurpurab (Guru Nanak's birth anniversary), celebrated in October or November. The 550th Gurpurab in November 2019 saw the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor. Baisakhi in April is another major occasion. The winter months of November through February offer the most comfortable weather for pilgrimage. ### Access The Kartarpur Corridor is a dedicated 4.7-kilometre road and border crossing linking Dera Baba Nanak in India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan. It was inaugurated on 9 November 2019 to coincide with the 550th Prakash Purab (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The corridor allows Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the shrine in Pakistan on a day-trip basis without a traditional visa, up to 5,000 pilgrims daily. ### Administration The gurdwara is managed by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) under the Government of Pakistan. The ETPB is responsible for the maintenance, administration, and development of the complex, including its museum, library, pilgrim facilities, and langar. ### Etiquette All visitors must cover their head with a cloth, scarf, or turban before entering the gurdwara. Shoes must be removed at the entrance. Modest clothing covering arms and legs is required. Tobacco, alcohol, and non-vegetarian food are strictly prohibited on the premises. Visitors should maintain a respectful, quiet demeanour inside the prayer hall. ### Facilities The 42-acre complex offers a wide range of facilities including a langar hall serving free meals throughout the day, pilgrim dormitories for overnight stays, locker facilities for valuables, a museum on Guru Nanak's life and teachings, a library, washrooms, drinking water points, and first-aid services. The complex is also equipped with wheelchair-accessible pathways. Suggest an Edit Upload Photos ![Marker](https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/images/marker-icon.png) Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur Leaflet Get Directions → ### Contribute Help improve this page. Suggest edits, add photos, or share information about this Gurdwara. Suggest an Edit