Saturday, September 06, 2008

Enabling devotees at Dera Baba Nanak to catch a glimpse of Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan

In order to facilitate devotees at Dera Baba Nanak to catch a glimpse of the historical Kartarpur Sahib gurduwara in Pakistan located in Narowal district, the BSF has constructed a beautiful viewing area.
Located on the banks of the Ravi, the gurdwara is at the place where founder of the Sikh religion Guru Nanak Dev (1469 -1539) spent the last years of his life as a humble farmer. Interestingly, the gurdwara is just 4.5 km away from the viewing point and is clearly visible with the naked eye on clear days. Besides, the personnel at the border observation posts too are helpful and willingy to lend their binoculars to the devotees who cannot afford to visit the place.

Over the years, the demand to have a corridor to the shrine has gathered momentum. Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reiterated his desire to have a corridor to the holy place so that devotees can visit it without any restrictions.

Talking to The Tribune, Baba Sukhdeep Singh Bedi, who claims to be a descendant of Guru Nanak Dev, said he had shouldered the responsibility so that sangat could offer prayers easily. Earlier, the devotees had to sit at the Dhussi Bandh and there were no facilities of any kind at that place. The conditions used to worsen in case of inclement weather, he pointed out.

He said the viewing area comprises a spacious cabin for visiting dignitaries and a roofed stand for general public. In addition to it, binoculars would be provided to the visitors so that they can have a closer look. Funding had never been a problem since devotees have offered their help regularly. All the material had been procured keeping the aesthetic beauty of place in mind, Bedi added. The BSF officials said they tried their best to help the devotees and had improved the road network in the area with the help of Border Area Development Funds. An official said when the BSF told the Pakistani Rangers that some trees block the view of the historic gurdwara from India’s side, the later pruned those trees to give a better vision.

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