More than 6,700 Indian Sikh pilgrims have made a historic pilgrimage to Pakistan for Baisakhi festivities, marking the largest gathering in the past 50 years. The substantial gathering underscores the enduring cultural and spiritual ties that exist between Pakistan and India.

Record-Breaking Pilgrimage

A total of 1,942 Sikh devotees started their holy journey from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) office in India on April 10th, 2025. The pilgrimage exists for commemorating Baisakhi alongside Khalsa Sajna Diwas by traveling to various sacred places of Sikhism across Pakistan. The current pilgrimage shows historical significance since about 12,000 participants from multiple countries, including India, chose Hasan Abdal as their main gathering point.

The spiritual part of the tour brings pilgrims to Gurdwara Janam Asthan Sri Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal and Gurdwara Sri Sacha Sauda Sahib and Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur and Gurdwara Dehra Sahib in Lahore. Religious value runs high at these sacred sites, which spark spirited spiritual activities during the Baisakhi festival.

The Spiritual and Cultural Significance of Baisakhi

Vaisakhi, which goes by the name Baisakhi, represents a highly sacred festival within Sikhism that is annually celebrated on April 13 or 14. The beginning of Punjab's harvest arrives alongside Guru Gobind Singh's 1699 creation of the Khalsa Panth through his implementation of the Panj Pyare during this celebration. On that day Guru Gobind Singh created the Panj Pyare (Five Beloved Ones) to establish both a Sikh community and a shared code of behavior for the Sikhs.

This occasion invites Sikhs to strengthen their beliefs while creating opportunities to bond with their fellowship along with practicing the teachings of their Gurus regarding bravery, equality, and justice.

Diplomatic Efforts and Special Visa Arrangements

By implementing the 1974 Pakistan-India Religious Protocol Agreement, Pakistan offers religious visitation opportunities for 3,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims during specified religious ceremonies. The Government of Pakistan granted 3,751 more visas at the request of both the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which increased the total visas to 6,751 this year.

Pakistan has not granted this many Baisakhi festival visas to foreign visitors in the past five decades. The action establishes a major milestone for religious tour promotion while strengthening political ties between both nations. By doing this, Pakistan demonstrates its commitment to using spiritual diplomacy to establish friendly alliances and cooperation between neighboring countries.

Central Celebrations and Spiritual Activities

The main Baisakhi ceremony will occur on April 14 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan sanctuary in Nankana Sahib, where Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born. All significant gurdwaras in this region are beautifully decorated.

The Gurdwaras in Pakistan become dynamic places of worship and communal hubs during these celebrations. Throughout the celebration, pilgrims both pray and perform religious singing (kirtan) while enjoying langar, which serves community meals to anyone without discrimination. The practices that take place illustrate key Sikh doctrines about equal treatment and both personal and spiritual humility, along with providing service to others without expectation.