Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur
The Sacred City of Kirat, Naam, and Wand Chhako
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Narowal, Punjab, Pakistan, is the sacred township founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 1522 CE along the Ravi River. Here, the Guru spent the final eighteen years of his earthly life farming with his own hands, establishing the three pillars of Sikh life: Naam Japna, Kirat Karo, and Wand Chhako.
The Founding of the Ideal Spiritual Commune
After completing four extensive walking journeys (Udasis) across the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East, Guru Nanak Dev Ji settled on the fertile banks of the Ravi River in 1522 CE, founding the town of Kartarpur (The City of the Creator).
Kartarpur was conceived not as an ascetic retreat disconnected from society, but as a vibrant spiritual community where contemplation and honest manual labor existed side by side. Here, the Guru worked the fields as an ordinary farmer, proving that spiritual enlightenment is achieved amidst everyday family and civic life (Grahasta).
Key Sacred Memorials of Kartarpur
The Three Eternal Pillars Established at Kartarpur
At Kartarpur, Guru Nanak systematized the core foundation of Sikh living:
- 1.Naam Japna: Continually meditating on the One Creator through simran and kirtan.
- 2.Kirat Karo: Earning an honest, truthful living through earnest physical or mental labor without exploitation.
- 3.Wand Chhako: Sharing earnings with those in need before fulfilling personal desires.
Sacred Gurbani Shabad on True Labor
Guru Nanak's teaching on honest living from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:
Ghaal Khaaye Kichh Hathon Deh
Nanak Raah Pachhaane Seh।
One who earns their living through honest hard work,
And gives a portion away with their own hands,
O Nanak, that person alone knows the true spiritual way.
ඔබ දැන සිටියාද?
Scriptural Source
Guru Nanak's teaching on honest labor, "Ghaal Khaae Kichh Hathhon Dehi," is recorded on Ang 1245 of the Guru Granth Sahib, composed during the very years he farmed Kartarpur's fields.
Dual Funerary Memorials
When Guru Nanak passed away in 1539, his Hindu and Muslim followers both wished to perform funeral rites according to their customs; finding only flowers beneath his sheet, they divided the cloth, creating a Samadhi and a Mazaar side by side.
Succession of Guru Angad Dev Ji
At Kartarpur, Guru Nanak chose Bhai Lehna as his successor after testing his humility and devotion, bestowing upon him the name Guru Angad, part of my own body.
Historic Visa-Free Corridor
In November 2019, on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the Kartarpur Corridor was inaugurated, allowing Indian pilgrims visa-free access across the border.
Organic Sacred Fields
The 42-acre fields surrounding the Gurdwara are still cultivated organically, supplying fresh produce directly to the community Langar.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji
සික් ධර්මය වෙතින් තවත්
සම්බන්ධිත ඉගැන්වීම්
එකම ඉගැන්වීම, විවිධ සම්ප්රදායන් හරහා ප්රතිධ්වනිත වේ