Historic reunion at Wagah: Over 2,000 Sikh pilgrims cross Into Pakistan for Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary after border reopens
In a remarkable moment of faith and diplomacy, more than 2,000 Sikh pilgrims from India crossed into Pakistan on Tuesday, marking the first major movement across the Wagah border since the brief military standoff between the two countries earlier this year.
The emotional crossing saw hundreds of devotees, clad in vibrant traditional attire and carrying luggage, greeted warmly by Pakistani officials who showered them with rose petals and garlands. The pilgrims’ arrival symbolized not only a journey of devotion but also a rare act of goodwill between two long-feuding neighbors.
The visit coincides with preparations for the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the revered founder of Sikhism. The 10-day festival, which draws thousands of worshippers each year, centers on the town of Nankana Sahib, located near Lahore—home to the shrine marking Guru Nanak’s birthplace.
According to Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi, more than 2,100 special visas were issued to Indian nationals to enable their participation in the sacred event. The gesture follows months of heightened tension between India and Pakistan after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in May, which claimed 26 lives. New Delhi had accused Islamabad of harboring militants—a claim Pakistan vehemently denied.
As a result, the Wagah border crossing, one of the most critical points connecting both nations, was temporarily closed. However, Pakistani authorities reopened it this week exclusively to accommodate the pilgrims, signaling an intent to separate religious harmony from political hostilities.
“Allowing the pilgrims to attend Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary is part of our commitment to protect religious freedom and strengthen cultural bonds, despite ongoing disputes,” said Nasir Mushtaq, a senior official in Lahore.
The pilgrims’ itinerary includes visits to several of Sikhism’s holiest landmarks, such as Nankana Sahib—Guru Nanak’s birthplace—and Kartarpur Sahib, the site believed to house his final resting place. For many devotees, this spiritual journey across the border fulfills a lifelong dream of praying where their faith began more than five centuries ago.
Sikhism, a monotheistic religion founded in the 15th century, has deep roots in the Punjab region, which straddles both India and Pakistan. However, following the 1947 Partition, most Sikhs migrated to India, while some of their sacred shrines remained on the Pakistani side of the border. Today, Pakistan’s Sikh community is a small but resilient minority, continuing to preserve its religious heritage.
Despite the lingering political tensions between both countries, the pilgrimage has been widely celebrated as a triumph of faith over division. One pilgrim, speaking to AFP, said, “It doesn’t feel like we’re in another country—it feels like being among family. We pray that the same warmth will be extended when Pakistanis visit India.”
For the next several days, Pakistan will host religious processions, prayers, and cultural gatherings to honor Guru Nanak’s teachings of unity, service, and compassion. The event has once again reminded the subcontinent that even amid conflict, the spirit of humanity can bridge divides that politics cannot.
FAQs
1. Why did Sikh pilgrims travel to Pakistan?
They traveled to attend the 556th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, at his birthplace in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan.
2. How many pilgrims crossed the border?
More than 2,000 Sikh devotees from India were granted special visas to cross into Pakistan for the 10-day festival.
3. Why was the Wagah border reopened?
The Wagah border had been closed due to recent tensions but was reopened temporarily to allow Sikh pilgrims to attend the religious festival.
4. What is the significance of Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur?
Nankana Sahib is the birthplace of Guru Nanak, while Kartarpur houses the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, where he spent his final years. Both are among Sikhism’s holiest sites.
5. What does this event mean for India-Pakistan relations?
While political differences persist, the pilgrimage is seen as a positive gesture toward fostering people-to-people and interfaith ties between both nations.