Pakistan has officially confirmed that the revered Sikh shrine, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib inKartarpur, has been fully restored and is once again operational following severe flooding. The announcement provides much-needed reassurance to the global Sikh community, who had expressed concern after images and videos of the flood-affected Gurdwara circulated online.
The flooding, which occurred in late August, was caused by the overflowing of the Ravi River, whose tributaries were inundated by torrential monsoon rains. The river swelled to dangerous levels, breaching its banks and inundating the gurdwara’s complex, including the main prayer hall and surrounding areas. As a result, the Kartarpur Corridor, which allows Indian Sikh pilgrims visa-free access
to the shrine, was temporarily closed.
According to a statement from Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which manages the shrine, a massive cleaning and restoration effort was launched immediately after the floodwaters receded. Hundreds of volunteers and workers from both the local community and the ETPB worked tirelessly to pump out water, clear the mud and silt, and sanitize the entire complex. The restoration work included repairing minor damages to the infrastructure and ensuring that the main building, which is of immense religious significance, remained structurally sound.
For the global Sikh community, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib holds profound importance as the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.
