Thousands of Sikhs were in Pakistan on Monday to celebrate Vaisakhi, a harvest festival that marks the start of the Sikh New Year and is mostly observed in Punjab and northern India.
Pakistani authorities this year granted more than 6,500 visas to Indian Sikhs, a higher number than previous years. Visas to travel between the two countries are normally difficult to obtain, but the governments have a special arrangement that allows pilgrims to visit shrines and places of worship.
The main Vaisakhi ceremony was held in Nankana Sahib, where the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak, was born.
Gurdwara Janam Asthan is one of nine Sikh places of worship at Nankana Sahib, which is located some 75 kilometers (46 miles) west of Lahore.
Rinko Kaur traveled from India´s western Gujarat state, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is from. She said she was initially hesitant about visiting Pakistan.
“My family warned me about going … and said I should be with a group to be safe,” Kaur said. But she said the people have been welcoming.
“I saw people coming out of their houses, waving as a welcome gesture. We feel as if we are celebrities,” said Kaur, who plans to visit other Sikh holy sites in Pakistan in the coming days.
Many Sikh holy sites are located in Pakistan after the British partitioned the subcontinent into separate nations in 1947 following two centuries of colonial rule.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Vaisakhi was a time of “great joy for farmers.” The festival also encourages a spirit of hope, unity and renewal that inspires and unites communities, Sharif added.
President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday extended greetings to the Sikh community in Pakistan and around the world on the joyous occasion of Vaisakhi.
Vaisakhi is a symbol of Pakistan’s beauty in its cultural and religious diversity, the president said in a message.
He said the Sikh community was playing a prominent role in the development and prosperity of Pakistan. The president emphasized that the constitution of Pakistan provided complete religious freedom, equal rights, and protection to minorities.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding the principles of interfaith harmony, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence and prayed for the happiness, progress, and safety of the Sikh community.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his warm greetings to Sikhs living in Pakistan and around the world on the joyous occasion of Vaisakhi being celebrated on Monday. “This festive occasion marks the ripening of the Rabi harvest-a time of great joy for farmers as they reap the fruits of their hard labour,” he said in his message on the occasion. The prime minister said that the festival also served as a reminder of the enduring spirit of hope, unity, and renewal inspiring and uniting our communities and forming the strength and soul of our great nation.
He wished that the Vaisakhi festival brings “prosperity to every field, peace to every heart, and progress to every corner of Pakistan.”
“Together, let us move forward with renewed energy and purpose, inspired by the spirit of Vaisakhi, to build a brighter, more inclusive, and stronger tomorrow, the prime minister said and greeted Sikhs in Punjabi language saying “Saareya nu Vaisakhi diyan vadhaiyan” translated as ” Vaisakhi greetings to all.” Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, accompanied by a delegation of U.S. Congressmen, visited the Kartarpur Corridor on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival to join the Sikh community in their celebrations.
The high-level delegation included U.S. Congressman Thomas Richard Suozzi, Congressman Jonathan Jackson, Acting U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Natalie Baker, and U.S. Consul General Kristen K. Hawkins.
Upon their arrival at the Darshani Deori, Mohsin Naqvi and the U.S. delegation were warmly received by prominent Sikh leaders, who welcomed them with flowers.
During the visit, Mohsin Naqvi, along with Congressmen Suozzi and Jackson, extended heartfelt congratulations to the Sikh community on the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi. The delegation toured the revered Gurdwara Sahib, where they observed historical relics associated with Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism.
Officials at the Gurdwara provided a detailed briefing about the history and significance of the Kartarpur Corridor. The delegation also participated in a prayer ceremony at the Gurdwara and visited the historic well, a site of immense religious importance for Sikh pilgrims.
In a mark of respect, Mohsin Naqvi and the visiting U.S. Congressmen were honored with the traditional Siropa (robe of honor) and presented with a Kirpan (ceremonial sword). They also interacted with Sikh pilgrims who had traveled from India to participate in the Baisakhi celebrations, taking photographs and exchanging greetings.
Highlighting the spirit of harmony and brotherhood, the delegation visited the Langar Hall, where they sat down with members of the Sikh community and shared a traditional meal.
The visiting dignitaries praised the management and facilities provided at the Kartarpur Corridor and the Gurdwara Sahib.
Congressman Thomas Richard Suozzi expressed his joy at being part of the celebrations, stating, “It was a heartfelt joy to participate in the Sikh community’s festival.”
Congressman Jonathan Jackson commended Pakistan’s efforts, remarking, “Pakistan has made excellent arrangements for Sikh pilgrims at the Kartarpur Corridor and Gurdwara Sahib.”
The U.S. delegation collectively lauded the Pakistani government’s dedication to preserving and facilitating access to sacred Sikh sites. Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting interfaith harmony and providing maximum facilities to religious pilgrims.
“Providing the best possible facilities for Sikh pilgrims is our government’s top priority,” he stated.
He further added, “We have simplified the visa process for Sikh pilgrims, and we encourage more Sikh devotees to visit Pakistan and connect with their sacred heritage sites.” Highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to religious harmony, the Interior Minister said, “Pakistanis are loving and peaceful people. Followers of all religions are treated with respect and dignity in our country.”
The visit concluded with a tour of the Zero Point at the Kartarpur Corridor, where the delegation observed the border area connecting Pakistan and India through the corridor.