Thousands of Indian Sikhs visited Pakistan to celebrate Vaisaki. Vaisaki is a harvest festival that marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year, and is mostly observed in Punjab and North India.
Pakistani authorities granted more than 6,500 visas to Sikhs in India this year. Visas for traveling between the two countries are usually difficult to obtain, but the government has special arrangements that allow pilgrims to visit shrines and places of worship.
The main Vaisaki ceremony was held in Nankana Sahib, Punjab, where Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh faith, was born.
Gurdwara Janam Asthan is one of nine Sikh places of worship in Nankanasahib, located about 75 km (46 miles) west of Lahore.
Rinko Kaur traveled from western Gujarat, India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was born. She said she was initially hesitant to visit Pakistan.
“My family warned me about going…and told me I should be with the group to be safe,” Kaur said.
But she said people were welcoming.
“I saw him come out of the house and waving as a welcome gesture. We feel like celebrities,” said Kaur, who will be visiting other Sikh holy sites in Pakistan in the coming days.
Many Sikh holy sites are located in Pakistan after Britain distributed the subcontinent to separate countries in 1947 following the second century of colonial rule.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif said Vaisaki was an era of “great joy for the farmers.” The festival also encourages a spirit of hope, unity and renewal that inspires and unites the community, he added.
Source link
