Sikh devotees from India, visited Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib on the occasion of Vaisakhi and expressed gratitude towards PM Imran Khan and Pakistani government for relaxing COVID-19 restrictions and allowing Sikh community to visit their Holy site on the auspicious occasion.
As per details, around 818 Sikh devotees from India arrived in Pakistan via Wagah border crossing on April 12th earlier this month after Pakistan gave especial permission to the Sikh devotees to visit their Holy sites on the special occasion of Vaisakhi.
The Sikh devotees took part in Vaisakhi celebrations at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hassanabdal.
The visiting devotees are scheduled to stay in Pakistna till April 22nd. During their stay in Pakistan, Sikh devotees will visit various Gurdwaras along with the first-ever one night stay at Kartarpur.
The visit was made possible after government of Pakistan relaxed its COVID-19 travelling restrictions to facilitate Sikh devotees.
PM Imran Khan had also taken to social media to felicitate Sikh community on the occasion of Vaisakhi 2021.
Wishing our Sikh community, a happy Baisakhi festival. We have granted Sikh Diaspora and Indian Yatrees special permission to visit their holy Gurdwaras in Pakistan and attend the Baisakhi rituals. They will be facilitated with Langar, transport & accommodation under strict Covid protocols, tweeted PM Imran Khan on April 14th last week.
Wishing our Sikh community a happy Baisakhi festival. We have granted Sikh Diaspora & Indian Yatrees special permission to visit their holy Gurdwaras in Pak & attend the Baisakhi rituals. They will be facilitated with Langar, transport & accommodation under strict Covid protocols
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 14, 2021
Vaisakhi is both a historical and religious festival in Sikhism. It is usually celebrated on 13th or 14th April every year. For Sikhs, Vaisakhi observes major events in the history of Sikhism and the Indian subcontinent that happened in the Punjab region.
It also marks the beginning of Hindu solar New year as its celebrated on the first day of the month of Vaisakha – the first month of Hindu solar year.
On Vaisakhi, Sikhs hold kirtans, visit local Gurdwaras, community fairs and nagar kirtan processions are held, and people gather to socialize and share festive foods.
It is pertinent to know that Pakistan has continued to facilitate Sikh devotees both domestic and international. In November 2018, PM Imran Khan laid down the foundation stone what came to be called as ‘Kartarpur Corridor’. The 4.7 kilometers-long corridor was completed in 2019.
Kartarpur Corridor is a testament to Pakistan’s commitment towards inter-faith harmony as the visa-free border crossing allows Sikh devotees from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur.
Kartarpur Corridor, also known as the “Peace Corridor”, is a true symbol of inter-faith harmony and religious unity. The Sikh as well as the international community, including the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who while visiting Kartarpur described it as “Corridor of Hope, has immensely appreciated this landmark initiative of Pakistan.