Sri Kartarpur Sahib (Kartarpur Sahib Corridor) – One of the holiest places for Sikhishm, where Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent the last 18 years of his life. Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib is situated almost 5 Km inside of Pakistan from the Indo-Pak border at the Kartarpur village.
Inaugurated in 2019, till today, this Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib has been visited by more than 2,70,00 pilgrims. And I was one of them when I decided to visit this place on 11th April 2024.
My experience visiting Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib was nothing less than beautiful, peaceful, and heartfelt. Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib is one such place which should be experienced at least once. Therefore, this is my personal experience blog outlining my experience of visiting Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib in April 2024.
As I recount my journey in this blog, I aim to provide all the necessary information as per the latest norms of April 2024. But beyond these practicalities and information, I also urge my readers to undertake this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.
- Sri Kartarpur Sahib Registration Process | How To Visit Kartarpur Corridor
- Kartapur Corridor Police Verification Process in 2024
- A Negative COVID Report for Visiting Kartapur Corridor is Required
- Be Ready With 20 USD Fee for The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor
- Things You Strictly Need To Follow When Visiting The Kartapur Corridor
- What Can You Do At The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor | Things To Do At Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara
- How To Reach Kartapur Sahib Corridor
- My Experience Visiting Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in April 2024
Sri Kartarpur Sahib Registration Process | How To Visit Kartarpur Corridor
The process to visit & apply for the Kartarpur Corridor is pretty simple. By following the steps outlined below, you can easily make smooth arrangements for your visit.
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First & foremost, you need to register online 14 days prior to your visit to the Kartarpur Corridor. The official website to register and generate your Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is – https://prakashpurb550.mha.gov.in/kpr/
While filing the online registration form, you are asked for all your personal details, including your work details. You are also required to upload a Passport-size photo of yours along with a copy of your first, last, & bio page of your passport.
After successfully completing the online form, a registration form will be generated, which will contain all the details you provided. Kindly make sure to take a printout of this registration form and keep it with you for your records, as it will be required during your physical police verification process.
However, it’s crucial to note that this registration form alone does not grant permission to travel to the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. Once the registration form is completed, a physical police verification will be conducted. Only four days prior to your intended travel date to the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, you will receive an SMS on your registered phone number informing you that your online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) has been generated.
Upon receiving this SMS, you can then proceed to download the online ETA. This ETA serves as a confirmation of your permission to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. Remember to carry a printed copy of this ETA, whether in colour or black and white, with you during your journey. This ETA will serve as your official authorisation document for visiting Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib.
This completes your first step of planning for your visit to Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib.
Kartapur Corridor Police Verification Process in 2024
Furthermore, once the Kartarpur corridor registration is completed, a physical police verification should happen.
With regards to the Police Verification, it depends on a case-to-case basis, or I believe it depends from city to city-to-city basis. In my case, the police verification did not happen at all. I just received a call from a person from Central Govt Offices Mumbai asking about my background and profile. That was it.
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However, based on my research from videos of others visiting the Kartarpur corridor, a physical police verification has happened in most cases. In those cases, the officers from the local police station have visited the applicant’s home address for verification and document scrutiny. The documents requested by them were – the applicant’s passport / Aadhar card copy, registration form, and a form to be filled out by neighbors along with their address proof.
In my particular case, the verification process was streamlined, with just a phone call, which I received approximately two weeks before my planned date of visit to the Karatarpur Corridor. After this, I received my ETA four days prior to my date of visit. Do note that experiences with police verification may vary, and as per my advice, it is good to be prepared for either scenario when planning your visit to the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.
A Negative COVID Report for Visiting Kartapur Corridor is Required
Even today, the Pakistan Govt. requires you to have a 72-hour negative COVID Report when visiting the Kartarpur Corridor. Your Negative COVID report will be checked multiple times both at the Indian and Pakistan immigration.
For the ease & convenience of the pilgrims, there is a hospital nearby to the Kartarpur Corridor from where you can get a Rapid Antigen Test done.
| Pro Tip – In order to save time, I would highly recommend doing a proper RT PCR home collection test from Amritsar itself. |
Be Ready With 20 USD Fee for The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor
In order to visit the Kartarpur Corridor, the Pakistan Govt. charges a service fee of 20 USD. This service fee needs to be paid in cash and in USD to the National Bank of Pakistan’s counters, which are located just outside Pakistan’s immigration building.
In case you are wondering where to exchange currency at the Kartarpur Corridor, then here’s how you can do it –
You can find currency exchange counters just outside Pakistan’s immigration building besides the National Bank of Pakistan’s counters. One currency exchange counter is also located inside the Indian side passenger terminal of the Kartarpur Corridor.
These currency exchange counters will charge approximately 1800 INR for 20 USD. Therefore, I would recommend carrying enough cash for the same. Gpay is available only at the Indian side passenger terminal of the Kartarpur Corridor.
| Pro Tip – Get your currency exchanged in a local forex exchange from either Amritsar or the city you live in. This can save you both time and money by getting a more ideal conversion rate. |
Things You Strictly Need To Follow When Visiting The Kartapur Corridor
Visiting the Kartarpur Corridor involves a lot of things that you need to strictly take care of and follow as per the security forces. Here are a few things that you should keep in mind –
- If you are carrying a backpack, its maximum weight should not exceed more than 7 Kgs.
- You are not allowed to carry pen drives and memory cards.
- Avoid carrying written papers, written diaries or books. It is better not to carry any stationery supplements like paper, books, diaries, etc. Blank paper or blank dairies are permitted; however, they will be subject to frisking by the security officials.
- You would also have to declare every currency you carry to the Indian customs officials at the Indian side passenger terminal at the Kartarpur Corridor. Make sure to bring in the same amount / less amount of currency you declared back to India.
- You are also prohibited from exchanging your phone numbers, home addresses, or any of your personal details with people visiting Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib from Pakistan’s side.
- The area of Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib also has a few markets selling dresses & souvenirs from Pakistan. In case you wish to buy any, you would need to exchange your currency for Pakistani Ruppes.
In such instances, ensure that you finish all your Pakistani Rupees during your visit, as bringing Pakistani currency back into India is prohibited. Possession of Pakistani currency while returning to India could result in legal repercussions, including the possibility of a legal case being filed against you. - You are not allowed to bring the Pakistan flag, soil, and any type of seeds back to India.
- When you are shopping at the local shops near the Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib, you are permitted to bring back only one to two pieces of dresses per person. Although, you are allowed to bring unlimited “Jal & Prasad” back.
- You can only spend a day at Kartarpur Sahib Pakistan, with the last bus back to India departing at 4 PM. Most importantly, make sure not to miss this bus.
What Can You Do At The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor | Things To Do At Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara
Whilst seeking the sacred blessings at Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib, there are a few things you can do while visiting the Kartarpur Corridor, such as –
- Dipping in the Holy Sarovar Sahib – Taking a dip in the holy Sarovar Sahib.
- Exploring Local Dress and Souvenirs – Shop local dress and souvenirs of Kartarpur Sahib Pakistan from the local market.
- Langar Hall Meal – Enjoy the purest and holiest meal at Langar Hall.
- Learning The Gurdwara History – You can also visit the art exhibitions ions inside the Gurdwara to deepen your understanding of the rich history and significance of Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib.
- Observing Historical Artifacts – Witness the shellings of a bomb dropped by the Indian Air Force in 1971.
- Visiting Guru Nanak Ji’s Well – Pay homage to history by visiting the well from which Guru Nanak Ji drew water to irrigate his fields.
How To Reach Kartapur Sahib Corridor
Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is just a 1-hour drive from Amritsar – the nearest metro city to Kartarpur Corridor. You can either hire a local taxi for a day trip or book an Ola / Uber.
| Pro Tip – The average price for renting a cab for the day, especially for the Kartarpur Corridor, should be around 2000-3000 INR (all incl.). So do try to bargain for these prices. |
Amritsar’s airport and railway station are well-connected to all major metro cities in India.
Kartarpur Corridor timings are from the morning 7 AM to evening 4 PM, with the entry to Kartarpur Sahib Pakistan starting by 9 AM.
My Experience Visiting Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in April 2024
Visiting Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan is truly a must for anyone who is seeking to embrace its vastness, beauty, and profound sense of peace. My own experience there was incredibly peaceful, soothing and comforting.
From the moment I entered the Kartarpur Corridor, I was greeted warmly by all the volunteers, staff, and security personnel on both the Indian and Pakistani sides. Their kindness and hospitality made me feel very welcome at every place within the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib.
What struck my mind the most was the sense of unity and equality that can be seen in Kartarpur Sahib. Here, amidst the sacred halls, everyone is treated with the same respect and dignity, regardless of caste, race, or background. It’s a powerful reminder of the values that bind us all together as human beings.
Kudos to both governments for making this remarkable initiative a reality – The Kartarpur Corridor.
Thus, I highly encourage my fellow readers to visit Kartarpur Sahib Pakistan, at least once.
