KARTARPUR, September 22 — Nazrana Times Ali Imran Chattha
Three days of religious observances marking the 487th Joti Jot Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji concluded at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, on Tuesday. The programme included the completion of Akhand Path Sahib, religious congregations, Gurbani Kirtan, Ardas and a Kavi Darbar.
The celebrations began on September 20 with the commencement of Akhand Path Sahib, the uninterrupted recitation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Sikh devotees from different parts of Pakistan gathered at Kartarpur. Arrangements were made for accommodation, food, medical assistance, transportation and security.

On September 21, a Nagar Kirtan was taken out from Gurdwara Darbar Sahib towards the India-Pakistan Zero Line under the leadership of the Panj Pyare. On the Pakistani side, the procession was led by Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, president of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Punjab minister for minority affairs.
At the Zero Line, devotees performed Rehras Sahib, Gurbani Kirtan, Aarti and Ardas. Prayers included requests for the early reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor and for peace between Pakistan and India.
On the Indian side, Acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj led a Sikh jatha from Dera Baba Nanak towards the Zero Line. The group was stopped by Indian security personnel before reaching the designated point. The Jathedar and devotees subsequently held Rehras Sahib, Shabad Kirtan and Ardas near a security barricade, praying for the corridor to reopen.

Final Day Marked by Prayers and Kavi Darbar
On Tuesday, September 22, religious diwans continued at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. The Akhand Path Sahib was completed, followed by the concluding Ardas and other religious ceremonies.
Sikh devotees who had stayed in Kartarpur during the three-day programme began their return journeys after paying their respects at the historic shrine.
A Kavi Darbar was also held at Darbar Sahib, where poets from Pakistan and India presented poetry on Sufism, peace, humanity, and the teachings and philosophy of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Special arrangements were made in the Langar Hall throughout the celebrations, with food and tea provided for pilgrims. Medical and security teams remained deployed to facilitate devotees.
Corridor Reopening Remains a Key Issue
The observances also drew attention to the Kartarpur Corridor, which has remained closed from the Indian side, preventing Indian Sikh pilgrims from reaching Gurdwara Darbar Sahib for this year’s Joti Jot Purab.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said Pakistan had opened the Kartarpur Corridor in 2019 to facilitate Sikh pilgrims. He reiterated Pakistan’s stated support for religious freedom and access to religious sites.
Acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj also called for the corridor to be reopened, saying Sikh devotees should be able to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, one of the most significant sites associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Kartarpur and Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent the final years of his life at Kartarpur, where he established a community based on devotion, honest work, equality and service to humanity.
He passed away at Kartarpur on September 22, 1539, making the annual Joti Jot observances particularly significant for Sikh devotees.
His teachings emphasised the oneness of God, human equality, rejection of discrimination, honest livelihood, sharing and selfless service. His hymns form a central part of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
The three-day observances concluded peacefully on Tuesday, with devotees departing after paying homage to Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Prayers were offered for peace, religious freedom and the restoration of cross-border pilgrimage access.