Navjot Singh Sidhu reaches Kartarpur to attend Guru Nanak’s birth celebrations

Former Indian cricket star Navjot Singh Sidhu arrived at the Kartarpur Corridor on Saturday to attend the 552nd birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak.

The scent of flowers and perfume hangs in the air as thousands of Sikhs from India and worldwide were welcomed yesterday to Pakistan for one of the world’s biggest birthday celebrations.

نوجوت سنگھ سدھو بھی کرتارپور راہداری سے پاکستان پہنچ گئے #NavjotSinghSidhu #KartarpurCorridor #GuruNanak #Pakistan #BOLNews pic.twitter.com/5Kyd65vd2Z

— BOLNetwork (@BOLNETWORK) November 20, 2021

The birth celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak, which started on November 17, will continue till 26 of this month.
During their stay in Pakistan, the Sikh pilgrims would pay obeisance at different Gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Narowal.

It was only in 2019 that Pakistan opened a visa-free corridor allowing Sikhs from India to visit Kartarpur after Prime Minister Imran Khan formally inaugurated the corridor during a colourful ceremony.

Sidhu had also addressed the 2019 ceremony, thanking the premier for taking the bold step to build the Kartarpur Corridor “without looking at gains or losses”.

“You have won hearts,” he had said while addressing the premier.

Read more: PM Imran Khan welcomes Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan

Earlier, the white-domed gurdwara was so close to the border that for decades devotees in India could see it, but not visit.

The Covid-19 pandemic prevented Indians from crossing in 2020. This year authorities agreed to reopen the corridor, and the faithful began streaming across in preparation for the birthday celebrations this week.

Some stayed in Kartarpur, while many made their way 180 kilometres (110 miles) southwest to join those celebrating in Nankana Sahib.

On November 18 this year, Indian Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Charanjit Singh Channi, along with his ministers also visited Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.