Kartarpur Sahib is the gurdwara in Narowal district, Punjab, where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, settled and spent the last years of his life. It sits close to the Indian border, which is why its story today is as much about a corridor and a crossing as it is about the shrine itself.
This guide explains the history, what the complex is like, how Pakistani and overseas visitors can reach it, and what to confirm about the corridor before you plan around it.
Quick Answer
Kartarpur Sahib (Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur) is in Narowal district, roughly 130 km from Lahore by road according to a 2022 travel blog, or about two and a half hours. Guru Nanak founded the settlement in 1504 and died there in 1539. The Kartarpur Corridor, which let Indian pilgrims cross without a visa, opened on 9 November 2019. India suspended the corridor on 7 May 2025, and press reports from September 2026 describe it as still closed. Confirm the current position before you rely on it.
Quick Facts
| Location | Kartarpur, Narowal district, Punjab |
| Founded | 1504 by Guru Nanak |
| Present gurdwara building | Dates to 1925; restored in 2004 |
| Complex size after 2018 expansion | About 42 acres |
| Corridor opened | 9 November 2019 |
| Distance from Lahore | About 130 km, around 2.5 hours (2022 blog) |
| Reported entry fee | PKR 200 per visitor in a 2022 blog; confirm the current fee |
History of Kartarpur Sahib
Guru Nanak founded Kartarpur in 1504 after years of travel. He settled here, farmed the land and gathered a community around shared meals and prayer. Sikh tradition holds that he died here in 1539, and the site became one of the most revered places in the faith.
The present gurdwara building dates to 1925. It was restored in 2004, and the surrounding complex was expanded to about 42 acres in 2018 as part of the corridor project. The corridor itself opened on 9 November 2019, in the year of Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary. An agreement allowing it to operate was renewed in October 2024.
Our wider guide to Sikh holy sites in Pakistan places Kartarpur alongside the other gurdwaras you can visit.
The Kartarpur Corridor: Current Status
The corridor is a visa-free route that lets Indian Sikh pilgrims travel to Kartarpur and return the same day. India suspended its side of the arrangement on 7 May 2025. Press reports from September 2026 still describe it as closed.
What this means in practice depends on who you are:
- Pilgrims from India: the corridor route is not available while the suspension continues. Check announcements from the relevant authorities for any change.
- Visitors already in Pakistan: you can plan the visit by road from Lahore or elsewhere in Punjab, subject to the access arrangements at the site.
- Sikh pilgrims travelling from abroad on a Pakistan visa: check the current visa and pilgrimage arrangements with the Pakistani mission in your country.
Because this situation has changed more than once, treat any blog post older than a few months with caution, including this one.
How to Reach Kartarpur Sahib
Kartarpur is in Narowal district. The road journey from Lahore is reported at about 130 km and around two and a half hours. Our Punjab travel guide gives the wider picture for road travel in the province.
A 2022 account describes several checkpoints on the approach, so carry your CNIC or passport and keep photocopies. Ask your hotel or tour operator about current arrangements for entering the complex, as these have varied.
Opening Hours and Entry Fee
A 2022 blog reported opening hours of 9 am to 3 pm and an entry fee of PKR 200. Both figures are dated, and the fee or hours may have changed. Confirm with the Evacuee Trust Property Board or your operator before travelling.
Etiquette Inside a Gurdwara
- Cover your head and remove your shoes before entering.
- Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
- Do not bring tobacco, alcohol or meat into the complex.
- Ask before photographing worshippers, and follow signs about photography inside the main hall.
- Accept langar, the community meal, with gratitude if it is offered.
Possible Itinerary
A day trip from Lahore
- Early morning: leave Lahore by road for Narowal, allowing for checkpoints.
- Midday: visit the gurdwara complex and sit for the community meal if offered.
- Afternoon: return to Lahore and, if time allows, add Lahore Fort on another day.
If your schedule allows, pair this with the other gurdwaras described in the Sikh holy sites guide.
FAQs
Where is Kartarpur Sahib?
In Kartarpur, Narowal district, Punjab, close to the Indian border.
Who founded Kartarpur?
Guru Nanak founded the settlement in 1504 and died there in 1539.
Is the Kartarpur Corridor open?
India suspended it on 7 May 2025, and press reports from September 2026 describe it as still closed. Check the latest news before you plan.
How far is Kartarpur from Lahore?
About 130 km by road, or around two and a half hours, according to a 2022 blog.
Is there an entry fee?
A 2022 blog reported PKR 200. Confirm the current fee before you go.
Conclusion
Kartarpur Sahib is a place where Sikh history, faith and modern politics meet. The shrine is easy to understand once you know that Guru Nanak lived and died here, but the practical details, especially the corridor, change often. Confirm the status, the fee and the hours close to your travel date, and treat the visit with the respect due to a working place of worship.