Sikh pilgrims perform religious rituals at Nankana Sahib on 2nd day of Baisakhi festival

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Apr, 2026) On the occasion of Baisakhi Mela and the 327th Khalsa Janam Din celebrations, Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan spent their second day at Nankana Sahib, where they performed religious rituals and visited various historic gurdwaras.

The pilgrims paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Kiara Sahib, Gurdwara Tambu Sahib, Gurdwara Balian Sahib, Gurdwara Patti Sahib and Gurdwara Malji Sahib. They expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made for their visit and appreciated the hospitality, security and facilities provided by the Government of Pakistan.

Evacuee Trust Property board (ETPB) Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq, on the occasion, reviewed the arrangements and briefed about the facilities being provided to the pilgrims. He said that in line with government directives, foolproof security, transport, accommodation and medical facilities are being ensured for Sikh pilgrims. He added that accommodation arrangements at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib, have been made at the highest standard, while the district administration and ETPB are jointly facilitating the visitors.

He further informed that the Government of Pakistan issued 2,800 visas to Sikh pilgrims; however, around 600 pilgrims could not travel due to various reasons.

He said Pakistan has always kept its doors open for Sikh pilgrims from across the world and has never prevented anyone from performing their religious rituals.

Meanwhile, Provincial Minister Ramesh Singh Arora and Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq laid the foundation stone of the restoration and renovation project of Gurdwara Sri Kiara Sahib in Nankana Sahib. Under the project, a modern residential complex comprising 40 rooms will be constructed to further improve facilities for pilgrims. A large number of Sikh pilgrims from India and other countries attended the ceremony.

The pilgrims expressed satisfaction over the arrangements in Pakistan, stating that they were provided with excellent facilities, security and hospitality, for which they expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan and the concerned authorities.

It is pertinent to mention that Gurdwara Sri Kiara Sahib holds great religious significance in Sikhism as the sacred site where Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji grazed cattle during his childhood.