Over 12,000 Sikh pilgrims, including more than 6,500 from India, gathered in Pakistan to celebrate Vaisakhi, a vibrant harvest festival marking the Sikh New Year.

The event, centered in Nankana Sahib—birthplace of Guru Nanak, Sikhism’s founder—saw devotees throng Gurdwara Janam Asthan, one of nine sacred sites in the city, 75 km west of Lahore.

Pakistan’s issuance of a record visa quota, doubling previous years, reflects a gesture of goodwill despite tense India-Pakistan ties, facilitated by a special arrangement for religious pilgrimages.

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Vaisakhi, observed on April 13 or 14, also commemorates the 1699 founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh, symbolizing Sikh unity and resilience.

Pilgrims like Rinko Kaur from Gujarat, initially wary due to safety concerns, were touched by local hospitality. “People waved from their homes, making us feel like celebrities,” she said, planning visits to other sites like Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal.

Festivities included prayers, hymn-singing, and langar (free community meals), with vibrant processions showcasing Sikh martial arts like gatka. Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif called Vaisakhi a time of “joy for farmers,” emphasizing its spirit of hope and unity.

The celebrations, extending to sites like Kartarpur and Eminabad, highlight Pakistan’s role as home to key Sikh shrines post-1947 partition, fostering cultural ties amid geopolitical challenges.

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