Kartarpur, human settlement in India
Kartarpur is a small town in the Jalandhar District of Punjab, in northern India, situated close to the border with Pakistan. The town sits amid flat farmland and is made up of simple homes, small markets, and religious sites that together define the character of everyday life here.
Guru Nanak settled in this area in the early 16th century, spending around 18 years farming and gathering followers before his death here around 1539. Centuries later, in 2019, a special corridor was opened to allow Sikh pilgrims from Pakistan to visit the site without a traditional visa.
Kartarpur is closely tied to Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, who spent his final years here farming and teaching. Pilgrims from around the world visit to pray at the sites connected to his life, and religious gatherings give the town a rhythm shaped by devotion rather than commerce.
The main draw for visitors is the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, which can be entered at any time of day. Shoes must be removed and the head covered before entering the religious site, as this is expected of all visitors regardless of their background.
The gurdwara here serves free meals to all visitors regardless of religion or background, a practice called langar that dates back to Guru Nanak himself. On busy days, hundreds of people sit together on the floor to eat, making this one of the most direct ways to experience Sikh hospitality firsthand.
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