From 1522 to 2021: A Timeline of Major Events That Led to Opening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor

The 4.7-kilometer-long Kartarpur Sahib corridor will be reopened from Wednesday, the Centre announced on Tuesday. The corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district. India signed the Kartarpur corridor agreement with Pakistan on October 24, 2019. Under the pact, Indian pilgrims of all faiths are allowed to undertake round-the-year visa-free travel through the Kartarpur corridor to Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib, one of the most revered shrines of Sikhs, in Pakistan.

The announcement to restart the pilgrimage that was suspended since March 2020 following the Covid-19 outbreak came three days before the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev on Friday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the decision reflects the Narendra Modi-led government’s immense reverence for Guru Nanak Dev and the Sikh community.

• 1522: The first Gurdwara, Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, was established by the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev, where he is believed to have died.