Sikh and their Holy Places

[ghazi52]

Pilgrims head home after Vaisakhi festival​

Our Correspondent
April 19, 2026

Indian Sikh pilgrims arrive in Pakistan after crossing the Wagah border crossing, on the eve of celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism. Pakistan welcomed dozens of Sikh pilgrims from India in the first major crossing since deadly clashes in May closed the land border between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Photo: AFP

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LAHORE: Indian Sikh pilgrims are returning home today after completing their religious visit to Pakistan, carrying fond memories of hospitality and interfaith engagement.


Officials said 2,238 pilgrims arrived on April 10 to participate in the Vaisakhi festival and the 327th birth anniversary of the Khalsa.

They attended religious ceremonies at key gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore.

The pilgrims performed rituals and offered special prayers for peace, interfaith harmony and improved relations between Pakistan and India.

 

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Indian Sikh pilgrims laud Pakistan’s hospitality, seek reopening of Kartarpur Corridor​

Guru Arjan Dev Ji's 420th martyrdom anniversary was jointly observed by Pakistani, Indian Sikh pilgrims after 14 years

Asif Mehmood
June 19, 2026

Indian Sikh pilgrims who visited Pakistan for the 420th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and the annual Jor Mela returned home on Friday, praising Pakistan’s hospitality and religious freedom while calling for greater people-to-people contact between Pakistan and India.

The commemorations were jointly observed by Sikh pilgrims from Pakistan and India for the first time in 14 years, following the resolution of long-standing issues related to the observance date of Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s martyrdom anniversary.

The pilgrims were seen off at the Wagah border by Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Qamaruz-Zaman, and ETPB Shrines Additional Secretary Nasir Mushtaq.

Speaking at the farewell ceremony, Arora said Pakistan would always welcome the Sikh community with open arms.

“The pilgrims are returning with memories of love, hospitality and religious respect,” he said.

Arora said Pakistan had consistently ensured dignity, religious freedom and equal rights for Sikhs and other minority communities, adding that the government remained committed to safeguarding their interests.

 

[KingQamaR]

Cannot understand how dumb the Pakistani Government has become invited these enemies to Pakistan and supporting there facilities at Pakistani tax payers expense.

 

[_Arabia_]

Can somebody explain what this Sikh belief is about and how it came about in Pakistan and how such a relatively young religion even gained a foothold to begin with? What is unique about it? Last time I heard something about it was that it is some kind of strange merger of Hindu and Islamic beliefs. That and its followers (men) not being allowed to cut their beards, hair (hence those big turbans) and their ceremonial daggers.

I believe that its founder even visited Makkah and Madinah and took inspiration from Islam.

Yemenis, Omanis and South Saudi Arabians also wear daggers (jambiya) but it has no religious meaning at all.

Also are the Sikhs some kind of distinct ethnic group or are they just Punjabis who happen to be Sikhs? What is the difference between Pakistani and Indian Punjabis who are not Sikhs and Muslim and Hindu Punjabis in Pakistan and India? I assume not any?