Last month Gurdwara GNM Sec 37, Noida organised Kartarpur yatra to Pakistan. 32 devotees were booked for this holy voyage.
Our travel started on 22 Mar at 9 PM from Gurdwara Sahib by Volvo Bus and we reached Amritsar Sahib 23rd morning. The devotees had darshan of Sri Harmandir Sahib and bathed in Holy Sarovar. Next day yatra started to Kartarpur Sahib and reached at 10 AM covering 50 Kms. After checking in, we entered the reception office of Pakistan, who took us in their Bus to Holy Gurdwara of Kartarpur Sahib. The main Sanctorum is surrounded by covered corridor from three sides, measuring around 1 km. Fourth side is open to Guru ka Bag, where Gur Nanak Dev ji was cultivating the agricultural fields and used to irrigate his fields with the help of a well.
The main Darbar Hall is on first floor where Guru Granth Sahib is parkashed and kirtan stage is set. On our request, the head priest allowed us to perform kirtan. It was a great honour for me, Rajinder & Satinder Kaur to recite Shabads. At the site there is a Mazar and a Gurudwara. As the story goes, after Guru Nanank’s soul left his body, the Muslims claimed him as their pir and the Hindus as their guru. When the sheet covering him was lifted, all they found under it were some flowers. The Hindus and Muslims divided the flowers and sheets amongst themselves. Half of it was buried according to Muslim custom, hence a Mazar. Hindu last rites were performed for the other part. A few steps from that site lead to Gurudwara which was then built. For langar of devotees, a vast langar Asthan is constructed, and we all took langar there.
The behaviour of Muslim officials controlling the Gurdwara Sahib was very cordial and were seen to be fully bowed to Guru Nanak. By 4 pm, we all completed our darshan and as this was the cut off time, we were sent back in their bus up to LOC, and after crossing LOC, we took our bus which was parked on Indian side.
by M S Dhami (98730 84968)
