Thousands of yatris welcomed at Panja Sahib during celebrations marking his 556th birth anniversary
Sikh devotees attend the Baisakhi festival at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassanabdal. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE
Around 2,000 Indian pilgrims were safely transported back to Kartarpur after completing their rituals and attending the three-day celebrations at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal. They had come to Pakistan to participate in events commemorating the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.
Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi issued more than 2,100 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India under the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines (1974), facilitating cross-border participation in religious events. In addition to pilgrims from India, hundreds of devotees from Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia also joined this year’s commemorations.
Indian pilgrims took part in the celebrations, and the first group of nearly 700 yatris were escorted to the gurdwara under tight security. Deputy Commissioner Attock and District Police Officer (DPO) Sardar Moazzam Khan welcomed the guests with flower garlands while the Indian pilgrims expressed their joy over the warm welcome from the Pakistani authorities.
Read: Thousands visit Panja Sahib to honor Guru Nanak
Minority Affairs Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora also visited Gurdwara Panja Sahib. The minister was accompanied by Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh, who is on a special visit.
Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the revered founder of Sikhism, was born in Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan), where the main ceremony marking the anniversary of his birth is held each year. The celebrations, observed by Sikhs around the world, symbolize peace, devotion and interfaith harmony, reflecting Pakistan’s commitment to preserving religious heritage sites.
This year marks the 556th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, which falls from November 4 to 13, with important events in:
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Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib – the birthplace of Guru Nanak.
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Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hassan Abdal, associated with one of his miracles.
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Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Narowal, where Guru Nanak spent his last years.
“India needs to bring about a positive change in its attitude and policies,” Arora said, adding that Pakistan offers full religious freedom to minorities. He noted that India has kept the Kartarpur Corridor closed since May 7, calling Kartarpur a historic gift from Pakistan to the Sikhs.
The pilgrimage marked the first major cross-border movement since the May 2025 conflict, which temporarily closed the border between Wagah and Attari. Earlier in September, India had banned pilgrims from attending the 486th death anniversary of Guru Nanak in Pakistan.
Jathedar Singh, the highest temporal authority of Sikhism, said that the Sikh community shares a deep emotional bond with the land of Pakistan.
Read more: Indians arrive for the Guru’s anniversary
Religious celebrations included Akhand Paath, Bhog ceremonies, Matha Tekna and Shabad Kirtan, celebrated in an atmosphere of deep spiritual devotion. At Panja Sahib devotees also performed ritual baths in the sacred pond before prayers. The gurdwaras were decorated with flowers, banners and flags, creating a vibrant festive atmosphere.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and local administrations monitored the arrangements made for security, accommodation, food and transportation. More than 3,000 police officers were deployed in Hassan Abdal to ensure foolproof security. Roads leading to the gurdwara were sealed and nearby markets remained closed as part of the security plan.
After the conclusion of the three-day celebrations, the Indian pilgrims left Panja Sahib and were transported under tight security in special buses to Kartarpur. Around 2,000 Indian yatris participated in the three-day birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak.
