Guru Nanak

9 coaches of Nankana Sahib-bound special train carrying Sikh pilgrims derails in Pakistan

Nankana Sahib is a city and capital of Nankana Sahib District in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

It is named after the first Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak, who was born in the city and first began preaching here. Nankana Sahib is the most important religious site for the Sikh religion.

Guru Nanak Dev:

Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539) was born in a village, Talwandi Rai Bhoe, near Lahore (it was renamed later as Nankana Sahib), Pakisthan.

Guru Nanak Dev initiated inter-faith dialogue way back in the 16th century and had conversations with most of the religious denominations of his times.

His written compositions were included in the Adi Granth compiled by Guru Arjan (1563-1606), the fifth Sikh guru.

It is known as Guru Granth Sahib after the additions made by the 10th guru Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708).

Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon day of Kartik month, also known as Kartik Poornima.

He was the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus and the founder of Sikhism in the 15th century.

Guru Nanak’s Teachings: Peace and Harmony for all

Guru Nanak was a great champion of equality. He aimed at creating a casteless society in which there is no hierarchy. For him, the differences and multiple identities based on caste, creed, religion and language were irrelevant.

Sri Nankana Sahib Massacre:

The Nankana Sahib Massacre refers to the grim episode during the Gurdwara Reform Movement/ Akali Movement in which a peaceful batch of reformist Sikhs was subjected to a murderous assault on 20 February 1921 in the holy Gurdwara at Nankana Sahib.

It was also the site of the first big agitation by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to take back control of gurdwaras from priests (mahants) backed by the British.

Sikh leaders made attempts to bring mahant to the negotiation table but their efforts failed.

On February 21, 1921, the unarmed Sikh leaders (jatha) entered Nankana Sahib to take possession of gurudwara, they were attacked by the armed mahants. This led to the massacre.

Kartarpur corridor:

The corridor was built to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of Sikhism on 12th November 2019.

It is one of the holiest places for Sikhs where Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji settled and preached for the last 18 years of his life.