Introduction
Dera Baba Nanak is a special place for Sikhs, located near the border between India and Pakistan. In this town, there are two important Sikh temples called Sri Darbar Sahib and Sri Chola Sahib. People visit these temples to pray and connect with their faith. Dera Baba Nanak is situated by a river named Ravi, adding to its scenic beauty. One remarkable thing about this town is that from here, you can see a famous Sikh temple called Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, which is about 4-5 kilometers away. It’s like standing close to the border and looking across to another country. Sri Darbar Sahib, one of the temples in Dera Baba Nanak, is built to honor Guru Nanak Dev, the first leader of Sikhism.
He visited this area to meet his family, including his wife and two sons, who lived nearby. Their home was called Pakho-Ke-Randhawa. Additionally, there was a person named Lala Mool Raj, who was a Patwari, meaning he kept official records related to land and taxes. Guru Nanak Dev’s visit to Dera Baba Nanak followed one of his journeys called Udasi. Overall, Dera Baba Nanak holds great historical and religious significance for Sikhs, and it’s a place where people come to pay their respects and feel connected to their spiritual roots
HOLY PLACES
1.Shri Darbar Sahib
Gurdwara Shri Darbar Sahib is in Dera Baba Nanak, a town in Punjab, India. It’s very close to the border with Pakistan, about 1 kilometer away, and sits on the east side of River Ravi. On the other side of the river, in Pakistan, is the town of Kartarpur (Ravi). This special place is connected to Guru Nanak, who started the Sikh religion. Guru Nanak used to meditate near a well called “Ajita Randhawa da khooh” after his first journey in 1506. Inside the Gurdwara, there’s a stage where Guru Nanak had important discussions with someone named Ajita Randhawa.
THREE MEMORIAL
FIRST MEMORIAL:
In the late 1800s, Maharaja Ranjit Singh gave a shiny throne to the Gurdwara, covering its canopy with marble. This sacred shrine sits at the heart of the town and holds three distinct memorials. One of these is the well known as Sarji Sahib, originally owned by Bhai Ajitta Randhava. Pilgrims visit this well to collect its water, believing in its healing powers.
SECOND MEMORIAL:
The “Kirtan Asthan” is a rectangular hall honoring Guru Arjan’s devotion to singing hymns (Kirtan). It marks where he visited Dera Baba Nanak to mourn Baba Dharam Das’s death. Inside, the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, is kept.
THIRD MEMORIAL:
The final memorial, called Thara Sahib, marks the platform where Guru Nanak first sat at Ajitta’s well and where Baba Sri Chand buried his father’s ashes. Inside a small pavilion with a lotus dome and gilded canopy, the Guru Granth Sahib is placed. The pavilion is adorned with gold-plated metal sheets featuring Guru Nanak’s hymns.
2.Shri chola sahib
Gurdwara Langar Mandir Chola Sahib is a place in town with a special relic called a chola, believed to have been given to Guru Nanak by a Muslim devotee in Baghdad. Baba Kabali Mall brought it to Dera Baba Nanak in 1828. Originally managed privately, a dispute led to control passing to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, while the chola remained with the family. Now displayed nearby, the shrine is overseen by the local committee. Annual events and Langar continue as usual.
3.Shri Kartarpur Sahib
Shri Kartarpur Sahib is a special place for Sikhs. It’s where the first Sikh leader, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, settled after traveling a lot. He lived a simple life, working on fields for a long time, and then passed on his teachings to the next leader. Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught people to work hard, remember God, and share with others. Nearby, there’s a temple called Tanot Mata Mandir, and a Gurudwara called Baba Sidh Soh Ji’s Gurudwara where people come to see Shri Kartarpur Sahib.
KARTARPUR CORRIDOR
Kartarpur Corridor Dera Baba Nanak
- They are building the Kartarpur Corridor as a special road between India and Pakistan for people who follow the Sikh religion. It connects two important places for Sikhs: one in India and one in Pakistan.
- Before this road, people had to take a long bus ride to visit the place in Pakistan. But with the new road, they can go there more easily. It’s a bit like building a bridge between two places that are far apart.
- This road is important because it lets people from India visit a holy place in Pakistan without needing special permission. It’s like making it easier for friends to visit each other’s houses.
- The leaders of both countries decided to build this road, hoping it will make people happier and bring them closer together. It’s a bit like when someone builds a new playground so kids from different neighborhoods can play together.
- So, the Kartarpur Corridor is like a special road that connects two important places for Sikhs, making it easier for people to visit and be together.
General Instructions for Pilgrims
- 1. If you want to visit Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, you need to sign up beforehand.
- 2. You have to sign up before the day you plan to go.
- 3. Just because you sign up doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get to go.
- 4. Be prepared to find out about your planned trip only four days beforehand if you’re allowed to go.
- 5. You’ll leave in the morning and come back the same day.
- 6. You can only visit Sri Kartarpur Sahib, not anywhere else.
Instructions for filling out a registration form:
- 1. Make sure you have Acrobat Reader installed.
- 2. Know your blood type for the form.
Applicant Conditions:
- Valid passport required.
- OCI card holders should fill in OCI card details.
- Provide accurate information, including name and birthdate from passport.
- Giving false information or hiding facts may lead to rejection.
Sure to have these items ready when completing the registration form:
For Online Registration:
1. Passport Photo:
- Take a small photo of yourself in JPG format. Keep it under 300 KB.
2. Passport Copy:
- Scan your passport pages with your picture and personal details, along with the last page containing family details.
- Save it as a PDF, keeping it under 500 KB.
Sample Forms:
- Download blank forms to practice filling them out.
- Choose the right form for Indian citizens or OCI cardholders.
After Successful Online Registration:
- Print the form and keep it.
- You’ll get messages after signing up.
BEST HOTELS NEAR DERA BABA NANAK
1. Hotel Corridor in
- Check-in: 12:00 PM
- Check-out: 12:00 PM
- 🏡 Address:
- Opposite Bus Stand,
- Dera Baba Nanak, Punjab 143604
- 📞 Contact Information:
- For reservations and inquiries, please reach us at:
- Phone: 098151 90035
2. Hotel Gupta Inn
- 🏠 Address:
- Gurudwara Dera Baba Nanak
- Sri Road, Dera Baba Nanak
- Punjab 143604
- 📞 Contact:
- Phone: 099151 51511
3. The Kothi, village stay
- 🏡 Village Nawanpind Sardaran,
- 📮 Post Office Tiber, Kahnuwan Rd,
- 📍 Near Babehali Village,
- 🌍 Gurdaspur, Punjab 143529
- 📞 094176 04624
4. Hotel Nanak Niwas
- Time of Arrival: 14:00
- Time of Departure: 11:00
- 📍 Address & Contact Information:
- MW95+CVV, Verka,
- Amritsar, Punjab 143008
Also read: 10 Historical Places In Karnataka To Visit In 2024
Conclusion
In essence, Dera Baba Nanak is a revered site for Sikhs, resonating with historical significance and spiritual allure. With its sacred temples, scenic backdrop, and poignant connection to Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib, it serves as a cherished destination for devout pilgrims seeking solace and connection to their faith’s roots. In this article, we will delve into the history of the Dera Baba Nanak temple, explore its revered holy sites, and recommend the finest accommodations in close proximity to this sacred destination.
