Published: April 15, 2025, 03:22 PM
Thousands of Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi in Pakistan, with 6,500 Indian pilgrims visiting holy sites across the country.
Thousands of Sikh devotees gathered in Pakistan to celebrate the vibrant festival of Vaisakhi. This year, over 6,500 Indian Sikh pilgrims were granted special visas to visit, marking a higher number than in previous years. While travel visas between India and Pakistan are typically difficult to obtain, both governments have an agreement in place that allows pilgrims to visit religious shrines and places of worship.
The main Vaisakhi ceremony took place at Nankana Sahib in Punjab province, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith. Nankana Sahib, located about 75 kilometers west of Lahore, is home to nine prominent Sikh religious sites, including the revered Gurdwara Janam Asthan.
Rinku Kaur, a pilgrim from India’s Gujarat state, shared that she was initially hesitant about visiting Pakistan. Her family had cautioned her and advised traveling in a group for safety. However, after arriving, she was moved by the warmth and hospitality of the local people. “People came out of their homes, waving in welcome. It felt like we were celebrities,” Kaur said. She plans to visit other significant Sikh sites in Pakistan in the coming days.
Following the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, many sacred Sikh sites ended up in Pakistan. Every year, thousands of Sikh devotees from India travel to these holy places during Vaisakhi to pay homage and offer prayers.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended greetings on the occasion, calling Vaisakhi a joyful festival for farmers and a symbol of hope, unity, and renewal that strengthens and unites communities.
