Kartarpur corridor

Why in news?

• Pakistan has decided to allow fully vaccinated Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib via the Kartarpur Corridor with strict Covid protocols, ahead of the 482nd death anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak on September 22.

About Kartarpur Corridor:

• The Kartarpur corridor connects the Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Narowal district of Pakistan with the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district in the state of Punjab, India.
• The agreement will facilitate visa-free movement of Indian pilgrims (with a permit) to cross over to Pakistan.
• The corridor was built to commemorate 550^th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of Sikhism on 12^th November 2019.

About Guru Nanak Dev:

• Guru Nanak Dev was the founder of Sikhism 
• He was born on 15 April, 1469 at Rai Bhoi Ki Talvandi, modern-day Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan
• His teachings can be found in the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the holy book of the Sikhs
• He was one of the most profound religious gurus in Indian history and believed in the philosophy of One God (Ik Onkar) and the unity of mankind
• He advocated the 'Nirguna' form of bhakti. He rejected sacrifices, ritual baths, image worship, austerities and the scriptures of both Hindus and Muslims.
• He set up rules for congregational worship (sangat) involving collective recitation.
• He died on September 22, 1539, and named Guru Angad as his successor.
• Kartarpur gurudwara is the revered shrine about 4km across the border where Guru Nanak Dev spent the last 18 years of his life.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

‘Kartarpur Corridor ‘, recently seen in news, connects India and which among the following countries?

(a) Nepal

(b) Bhutan

(c) Pakistan

(d) Myanmar

Answer