Pakistan is welcoming thousands of Sikh pilgrims from neighboring India as thee community turns to its spiritual center for Vaisakhi New Year celebrations.
Millions of Sikhs all over the world respect Pakistan as the holy land as the country houses some of the most revered places including birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and several temples known as Gurdwaras.
The Pakistan High Commission has issued 2200 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual Vaisakhi celebrations, the Pakistani High Commission in Indian capital, New Delhi said.
The 2,200 visas issued to Sikhs living in India were in addition to those granted to Sikh pilgrims participating in the event from other countries.
Gurdwara Darbar Saheb in Shakargarh, Pakistan will be open to Sikhs via Kartarpur corridor
Image: Screenshot/Official Pakistan video
Pakistan’s High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood says the gesture to issue these visas is reflective of the reverence attached to Vaisakhi, both in its religious and cultural dimensions.
Besides marking the start of the new Sikh year, Vaisakhi is the time to harvest the Rabi crops especially wheat.
“We extend our profound greetings and felicitations to all our brothers and sisters celebrating this auspicious occasion and wish the visiting pilgrims a spiritually fulfilling journey,” Sohail Mahmood said.
During their visit to Pakistan, the pilgrims go to Roori Sahib (Eimanabad), Panja Sahib (Hassan Abdal), Gurdwara Janam Asthan (Nankana Sahib), Dera Sahib (Lahore) and Kartarpur Sahib (Narowal), the historical temple, which Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government has recently opened to the pilgrims.
