sikh pilgrims

A year after the Pahalgam incident, India-Pakistan relations remain strained, with the Punjab international border largely shut. Restrictions have halted trade, suspended customary interactions, and altered the Attari retreat ceremony, despite Pakistan's global mediation role. The Kartarpur Corridor also remains closed, impacting religious travel.

Indian Railways is enhancing the Mumbai-Nanded Vande Bharat Express schedule from May 3, 2026, aiming to slash travel time and boost convenience for pilgrims. This premium train, connecting Mumbai's CSMT to the significant Sikh pilgrimage site of Hazur Sahib Nanded, will now offer even faster journeys, solidifying its status as the region's premier rail link.

Over 2,800 Indian sikh pilgrims are set to visit Pakistan for Baisakhi celebrations, exploring revered sites like Gurdwara Panja Sahib and Nankana Sahib. This annual journey, facilitated by a 1974 protocol, underscores Pakistan's dedication to fostering interreligious harmony and goodwill. Officials expressed hopes for a spiritually enriching experience for all attendees.

Around 455 sikh pilgrims were stranded at Attari after they could not board the train to Pakistan to observe the martyrdom day of fifth Sikh Guru Arjan Dev as railway authorities did not allow the special train to enter India on Thursday.

Sikh organizations worldwide are criticizing the Indian government's ban on sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan for Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary, citing security concerns. The SGPC expressed disappointment, emphasizing the move hurts religious sentiments. Sikh activists are urging reconsideration, pointing out that sports events proceed despite tensions, and suggesting pilgrims assume their own risk, as has been the practice for decades.

Pakistan deployed heightened security measures for the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev at Nankana Sahib, welcoming sikh pilgrims amidst India's refusal to send sports teams due to security concerns. Over 60,000 devotees, including 2550 Indians, arrived under tight security, with officials emphasizing the warm reception and planned infrastructure improvements for future pilgrimages.

Over 2,300 sikh pilgrims on Saturday left for India from Pakistan by special trains after attending the 549th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev at his birthplace in Nankana Sahib in the Punjab province.

After spending the night at Attari, most sikh pilgrims finally left for Pakistan on foot via Attari land border to observe the martyrdom anniversary of fifth Sikh master Guru Arjan Dev at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore.

Over 3,800 Indian sikh pilgrims and thousands of Sikh and Hindu devotees from various parts of Pakistan, especially Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and interior Sindh, arrived at the gurdwara to perform their rituals which include 'Akhand Path', 'Ashnan', 'Matha Teak' and 'Kirtan', theDawn reported.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan shared pictures of the Kartarpur complex and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, saying the revered venue is ready to welcome the Sikhs pilgrims for the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev. He also congratulated his govt for completing the construction work on time.

The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issued around 3000 visas to sikh pilgrims from India to attend the event celebrating the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. The event is set to be held in Pakistan from November 25 to December 4. During the visit, pilgrims in Pakistan will visit Dera Sahib, Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib, and Kartarpur Sahib. The issuance of visas is covered under the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on visits to Religious Shrines of 1974.

A total of 115 sikh pilgrims of Haryana departed from Gurdwara Patshahi Chhevin, Kurukshetra to Amritsar on Tuesday, for joining the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) jatha (group) at Amritsar going to Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Sri Nankana Sahib, and other shrines at Pakistan to celebrate the Parkash Gurpurb (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev.

Minorities Senator Anwar Lal, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman Tahir Ehsan and secretary Tariq Wazir, and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Tara Singh were among the Pakistani officials who greeted the Sikh 'yatris' at the Wagah Railway station.

As many as 2,500 sikh pilgrims left for Pakistan on Tuesday to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib.

A Sikh pilgrim from India died of a heart attack while travelling in a train in this eastern Pakistani city, officials said.

From Nov 9, Pak will allow Indian sikh pilgrims to visit the holy Kartarpur Sahib, said a senior official. Project director Atif Majid said so far 86% of the work on the corridor has been completed and will be opened to pilgrims on Nov 9. The corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district of Punjab.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan on Friday announced that sikh pilgrims from India would not need a passport to travel to Kartarpur and no fee would be charged from them on the opening day of the corridor on November 9. India and Pakistan last week signed the agreement on the Kartarpur Corridor that will allow Indian pilgrims to undertake visa-free visit to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan.

MEA said an Indian high commission team “could not meet the pilgrims on their arrival at Wagah Railway Station on April 12. Similarly, it was denied entry into Gurdwara Panja Sahib on April 14, for a scheduled meeting with pilgrims there. "

About 8,000 sikh pilgrims from various countries, including India, Afghanistan and Britain, have arrived in Pakistan to join celebrations marking the 543rd birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday condoled the death of sikh pilgrims in a road accident in Pakistan. At least 29 people, mostly Pakistani sikh pilgrims, were killed when a mini-bus carrying them back from Nankana Sahib shrine rammed into a train at an unmanned crossing in Pakistan's Punjab province on Friday.

Pakistan announces free online visas for sikh pilgrims from the US, UK, and Canada, aiming to host up to 10 lakh visitors annually. This excludes Indian Sikhs. The initiative seeks to boost tourism and fiscal health, while past agreements on visa-on-arrival for elderly citizens with India remain unimplemented.