Significance of Sikh Pilgrimage to Pakistan for Gurpurab

Sikh pilgrimage to Pakistan

Background

Every year, Sikh devotees travel to Pakistan to mark important religious occasions, especially Gurpurab—the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. This year, the Government of India has allowed Sikh pilgrims (jathas) to cross into Pakistan on November 4 through the Wagah Border, after earlier denials in June and September due to security concerns.

Significance

- First approved visit since Operation Sindoor (May 2025): Earlier Sikh pilgrimage requests were blocked citing safety issues.

- Religious and cultural ties: Despite political tensions, India allows such pilgrimages under a protocol agreement with Pakistan, reflecting respect for Sikh heritage.

Itinerary

• Gurdwara Nankana Sahib: Birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
• Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur: A revered site connected to Guru Nanak’s later life.
• Other Sikh shrines in Pakistan: Pilgrims may also visit additional historic gurdwaras.

Bilateral Dimension

Pilgrimages form part of people-to-people diplomacy, keeping cultural and spiritual links alive despite strained relations.

Religious visits are usually facilitated under the 1974 India-Pakistan Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, which governs such exchanges.

Synopsis

India has approved Sikh pilgrims to cross into Pakistan on November 4 to mark Gurpurab, with visits planned to Nankana Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, and other historic shrines. This marks the first clearance after Operation Sindoor, indicating a cautious easing of restrictions. While politics remains tense, religious diplomacy continues to preserve cultural and spiritual ties between the two nations.