In celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th birth anniversary, a group of over 600 members of GNNSJ’s congregation travelled to Pakistan (the place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth), and Sultanpur Lodhi, India where the major celebrations for this occassion were taking place.
Travelling around Pakistan
To travel to Pakistan in such a large group required a lot of planning, security and permissions from Pakistan’s government. With their support, the entire group were able to stay together in a brand new hotel near Lahore airport. Here the staff went above and beyond to support the congregations needs. They were extremely considerate and kind in offering vegetarian meals and flexible timings.
On a daily basis 14 coaches and 2 mini-buses travelled from this hotel to numerous Gurudwaras and back. The longest day was a trip to Gurudwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal, which took 10 hours to reach. In total the group visited 11 Gurudwaras, where they were able to participate in kirtan (singing of hymns), listening to prayer recitations and viewing historic artefacts.
The full list of Gurudwaras visited included:
- Bebe Nanaki Ji Janam Asthan, Dera Chahal
- Gurudwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib
- Tambu Sahib, Nankana Sahib
- Patti Sahib, Nankana Sahib
- Gurudwara Shaheed Singh Singhnia, Lahore
- Guru Ram Das Ji Janam Asthan, Lahore
- Gurudwara Dera Sahib, Lahore
- Gurudwara Sacha Sauda, Farooqabad
- Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib, Kartarpur
- Gurudwara Panja Sahib, Hassan Abdal
- Gurudwara Rori Sahib, Eminabad
Thanking Imran Khan
A delegation of the Nishkam sangat visited the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. They wanted to thank the government for the support provided, when arranging this historic 550th trip. During the meeting, Bhai Sahib Ji spoke about the great grace bestowed on Imran Khan and his country, for opening up the Kartarpur Corridor in 2019; seventy-two years after the creation of the India-Pakistan border, in 1947.
Celebrations in Sultanpur Lodhi
The second part of the trip took place in Sultanpur Lodhi, where the Punjab government had arranged a large celebration. Sultanpur is important for many reasons – primarily as it is the town in which Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent the majority of his life before travelling on his udasis (melancholy travels). It is also the only town in modern day India (i.e. not separated by the partition of Pakistan), in which Guru Nanak resided for roughly 15 years of his life.
Here, GNNSJ was based at Gurudwara Sant Ghat, where the kar sewa of the Ik Oankar Mool Mantar Asthan is taking place. This site marks the location where Guru Nanak Dev Ji came out of the Kali Bein, presumably returning from his audience with God and reciting the Mool Mantar.
Everyone who attended the trip commented that this was a special and unique event during which they were brought closer to the life, teachings and legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
