Sikh devotees from both India and Pakistan are set to gather near the international border on Monday to offer prayers seeking the early reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, which remains closed for the time being due to security reasons.
According to acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Sikh congregations from both sides of Punjab will participate in separate prayer programmes at the Zero Line near the border. The events are aimed at expressing the community's desire for the reopening of the corridor, allowing devotees to once again visit Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib, one of the most revered sites associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Giani Gargaj said that the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee will lead a Nagar Kirtan from Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib to the Zero Line on September 21. The procession is scheduled to reach the border area at around 5:30 pm Indian Standard Time. Sikh devotees from the Pakistani side of Punjab are expected to participate in large numbers and with deep religious devotion.
Upon reaching the Zero Line, the congregation on the Pakistani side will hold an evening programme that includes the recitation of Rehras Sahib, Gurbani Kirtan and Aarti. Following the religious ceremony, devotees will offer Ardas, praying for the reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in line with the wishes and sentiments of Sikh communities on both sides of the border.
Meanwhile, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj will travel to the Zero Line near Dera Baba Nanak on the Indian side to participate in similar religious observances. Sikh devotees in India and Pakistan will simultaneously perform Rehras Sahib, Shabad Kirtan and Aarti before collectively praying for the corridor to reopen at the earliest.
Appeal to Sikh Community
The acting Jathedar has appealed to the Sikh community of Dera Baba Nanak and nearby border areas to reach the Zero Line at 5:30 pm and participate in the prayer gathering in large numbers. He said the objective is to seek divine blessings so that devotees may once again be able to visit and pay obeisance at the sacred shrine of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Kartarpur Sahib, as they were able to do previously.
Similar Prayers Held in the Past
This is not the first time such prayers have been organised at the border. Sikh devotees from India have gathered on several previous occasions to offer Ardas for access to Kartarpur Sahib. Similar prayer events were also held before the corridor was originally opened, with devotees assembling near the border to seek the opening of the pilgrimage route.
The latest gathering reflects the continued religious significance of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for Sikh devotees and their ongoing hope for the resumption of travel to the historic shrine.