LAHORE (Kashmir English): Preparations have been almost finalised across Pakistan for the 556th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issuing visas to more than 2,100 Sikh pilgrims to participate in the celebrations.
The celebrations will be held at different places in Pakistan from November 4 to 13.
During their visit, the pilgrims will pay homage at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Narowal.
Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich has emphasised that the Government of Pakistan remains committed to facilitating visits to sacred Sikh pilgrimage sites, in line with its policy of promoting interfaith and intercultural harmony and understanding.
The visa issuance falls under the framework of the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines (1974), which enables pilgrims from both countries to visit each other’s sacred religious sites.
According to the official schedule, the Indian pilgrims will arrive in Pakistan on November 4 via the Wagah Border and proceed to Nankana Sahib, where the main ceremony marking Baba Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary will take place on November 5 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan.
Religious rituals including Bhog Akhand Path Sahib, will be performed at Nankana Sahib and other nearby gurdwaras, marking a day of deep devotion and spiritual renewal for the Sikh community.
On November 6, the pilgrims will travel to Hassan Abdal to stay at Gurdwara Panja Sahib, followed by visits to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on November 8 and 9.
They will then travel to Lahore on November 10 to visit Gurdwara Rori Sahib Eminabad in Gujranwala and Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore.
The delegation will remain in Lahore on November 11 and 12 before returning to India through the Wagah Border on November 13.
According to the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), apart from India, hundreds of Sikh pilgrims from Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia will also join the celebrations.
All arrangements related to security, accommodation, food, and transport have been completed, with special teams from ETPB, local police, and district administrations deployed at key sites.
Baba Guru Nanak’s death anniversary
In September, India denied permission to Sikh pilgrims to travel to Pakistan to attend Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 486th death anniversary, which was on September 22.
