New Delhi, October 2: India has granted permission for Sikh Jathas (groups of pilgrims) to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Prakash Purab celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of Sikhism, according to official sources.
The pilgrimage will take place under the 1974 bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines. Officials clarified that only selected groups will be permitted based on recommendations from respective state governments. These recommendations will be forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), after which the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will issue the final clearance.
The decision comes after the Centre had earlier barred Sikh pilgrims from travelling to Pakistan for the November 2025 celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary, citing security concerns and strained relations between the two countries.
As per the arrangements, Sikh devotees will cross into Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border to visit prominent gurdwaras linked to Guru Nanak Dev, including Nankana Sahib—his birthplace—and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur. The pilgrimage will be facilitated by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in coordination with Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).
Every year, thousands of Sikh devotees mark major occasions such as Prakash Purab, Baisakhi, and the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji through cross-border visits. While the Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated in 2019, allows visa-free entry for pilgrims to Kartarpur Sahib, larger jathas continue to travel under the traditional protocol.
Both governments are reported to be closely coordinating on security and logistics to ensure safe and smooth movement of the devotees this year.
India Allows Sikh Pilgrims to Visit Pakistan for Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Prakash Purab
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