Indian Sikh Pilgrims Enter Pakistan for Guru Nanak Jayanti
Indian Sikh Pilgrims Cross into Pakistan for Guru Nanak’s Birth Anniversary Celebrations
Lahore, November 4, 2025 — In a moment of renewed spiritual connection and cross-border harmony, hundreds of Indian Sikh pilgrims entered Pakistan on Tuesday through the Wagah-Attari border to participate in the 556th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism.
The pilgrimage marks the first major cross-border visit since tensions between India and Pakistan led to a temporary closure of the route in May 2025. The reopening has been widely welcomed by the Sikh community, who view this annual journey as one of deep religious and emotional significance.
Warm Welcome at the Wagah Border
The pilgrims were greeted by Pakistani officials, members of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), and representatives of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), who extended a warm welcome with garlands and traditional hospitality.
According to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, more than 2,100 visas were issued to Indian Sikhs to attend the 10-day festival. The celebrations are centered around Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, near Lahore — the sacred birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji — and include visits to other major shrines like Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib and Gurdwara Dera Sahib.
A Journey of Faith and Brotherhood
For many pilgrims, this journey represents not just a religious obligation but also an emotional homecoming. Guru Nanak’s life and teachings continue to serve as a powerful symbol of unity, peace, and devotion across borders.
“This is more than a pilgrimage — it’s a journey of the soul,” said one devotee before crossing into Pakistan. “Being able to walk on the same land where Guru Nanak was born and preached feels like a blessing.”
As the pilgrims made their way across the Wagah border, many waved Indian flags and chanted “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh,” expressing joy and gratitude for being granted the opportunity to visit their holy sites after months of uncertainty.
Celebrations at Nankana Sahib
In Nankana Sahib, preparations have been in full swing for weeks. The shrine has been beautifully decorated with lights, flowers, and religious banners, and special security and accommodation arrangements have been made to host thousands of devotees from around the world.
Over the course of the festival, pilgrims will take part in Akhand Path (continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), Kirtan (devotional singing), and Langar (community meals) — all of which reflect the Sikh principles of service, equality, and spiritual devotion.
Officials confirmed that both the Pakistani and Indian governments have worked closely to ensure smooth travel logistics and safety measures for all participants.
A Step Toward Peace and Understanding
The cross-border pilgrimage is being seen as a positive gesture of goodwill between India and Pakistan at a time when political relations have often been strained. Religious exchanges like this one, observers say, help build bridges of cultural understanding and reinforce shared heritage between the two nations.
“The Sikh pilgrimage is a reminder that faith can transcend boundaries,” said a representative of the PSGPC. “It keeps alive the message of peace that Guru Nanak preached — a message that is as relevant today as it was five centuries ago.”
Deep Spiritual Significance
Pakistan’s Punjab province is home to several of Sikhism’s holiest shrines, including the Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, where Guru Nanak was born in 1469, and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, where he spent the final years of his life.
For devotees, visiting these sacred places is considered a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience. Many pilgrims expressed their gratitude for being able to offer prayers at the birthplace of their spiritual leader.
“I have dreamed of this day for years,” said a 65-year-old pilgrim from Amritsar. “Crossing the border and touching the soil of Nankana Sahib feels like meeting Guru Nanak himself.”
Conclusion
As the 10-day celebrations unfold, thousands of Sikhs from across the globe are expected to gather in Pakistan to honor Guru Nanak’s teachings of love, equality, and compassion.
The 2025 pilgrimage stands as a powerful symbol of faith and fraternity, reminding both nations of their shared spiritual legacy — and the unifying message of a saint who taught the world that “there is no Hindu, there is no Muslim — only the human.”
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