Guru Nanak’s Birth Anniversary: In A First Since Op Sindoor, 1,932 Sikh Pilgrims Cross Attari Border For 10-Day Pilgrimage In Pakistan

A 1,932-member Sikh jatha (group of pilgrims) crossed the Attari-Wagah border on Tuesday (4 November) to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, and to offer prayers at historic gurdwaras in Pakistan, the Hindustan Times reported.

This marks the first pilgrimage since Operation Sindhoor and the subsequent travel restrictions imposed by India.

Nearly 2,200 pilgrims were issued visas for the 10-day visit beginning 4 November, with the main celebrations centred at Nankana Sahib, Guru Nanak’s birthplace in Pakistan’s Punjab province.

The jatha was seen off from the Golden Temple complex by members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), also sent groups of pilgrims.

Akal Takht acting jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj accompanied the group, which will return on 13 November.

On arrival, the jatha was received at the zero line by Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president and Pakistan Punjab minister Ramesh Singh Arora, PSGPC vice-president Mahesh Singh, and senior officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), including additional secretary Nasir Mushtaq.

They welcomed the pilgrims with flower garlands and bouquets.

The SGPC had submitted 1,802 passports for visas, of which 1,796 were approved.

Around 100 pilgrims were denied entry despite holding valid visas, as they lacked clearance from the Union Home Ministry, briefly leading to a blockade near the border, which was later cleared.

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, India tightened cross-border travel regulations, prohibiting foreign passport holders from using the Attari-Wagah route.

Going forward, only Indian citizens are permitted to travel through this corridor.

Giani Gargaj thanked both the Indian and Pakistani governments for permitting the pilgrimage and prayed “for peace in South Asia.”

During their visit, the pilgrims will offer prayers at several gurdwaras including Panja Sahib (Hasan Abdal), Darbar Sahib Kartarpur (Narowal), Sacha Sauda (Farooqabad), Dehra Sahib (Lahore), and Rori Sahib (Gujranwala).

The pilgrimage is conducted under the Nehru-Liaquat Pact of 1950, which allows Sikh devotees to visit Pakistan on four religious occasions annually.

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