Sikh Pilgrims Arrive at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore for Vaisakhi Celebrations

Lahore, April 17, 2025 — As part of the ongoing Vaisakhi Mela and Khalsa Janmotsav celebrations organized under the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Sikh pilgrims from India arrived today at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore, after completing visits to several revered Gurdwaras across Pakistan.

Secretary ETPB, Mr. Farid Iqbal, and Additional Secretary Shrines, Mr. Saifullah Khokhar, warmly received the pilgrims upon their arrival in Lahore.

According to the official itinerary, the first group of pilgrims, traveling in 65 buses, reached Lahore from Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal. The second group, comprising 62 buses, arrived from Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur after visiting Gurdwara Rohri Sahib in Eminabad.

Earlier, the pilgrims also performed religious rituals at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib, and Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hassan Abdal.

Special ceremonies were held in honor of the visiting yatris under the arrangements of the ETPB. The pilgrims expressed heartfelt gratitude for the hospitality extended to them in Pakistan and enthusiastically raised slogans of “Pakistan Zindabad.”

The pilgrims will spend April 18 in Lahore, exploring local markets and purchasing gifts for their families. They are scheduled to return to India via the Wagah Border on the morning of April 19, 2025.

Indian Sikh pilgrims, in collaboration with the Evacuee Trust Property Board and the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Government of Pakistan, began harvesting wheat crops in Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj’s field at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, under the Project Management Unit Kartarpur.

The Sikh pilgrims, accompanied by the CEO of the Project Management Unit, Additional Secretary Shrine Saifullah Khokhar, and other Sikh leaders, harvested the crops in Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj’s field. The pilgrims expressed their joy and spiritual connection to the land, chanting “Bole So Nihal” as they worked.

The event coincided with the Vaisakhi celebrations, and the Sikh pilgrims extended their heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Pakistan and the Evacuee Trust Property Board for taking good care of their historic Gurdwaras and allowing them to plough Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj’s fields, which holds deep spiritual significance for them.

They also expressed their appreciation for the warm hospitality and excellent arrangements made for the Vaisakhi celebrations and the Khalsa birthday. The Sikh pilgrims praised the efforts of the Project Management Unit Kartarpur for ensuring a smooth and memorable experience for them during their visit.

As part of the Vaisakhi celebrations, a Kabaddi match was organized under the auspices of the Project Management Unit Kartarpur and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. The Sikh pilgrims enjoyed traditional Punjabi dances, including Bhangra, and expressed their joy and gratitude.

The harvesting of Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj’s crops was a historic moment, reflecting the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Sikhism. The event showcased the importance of agriculture, community service, and devotion in Sikhism, leaving a lasting impression on the Sikh pilgrims.

Evacuee Trust Property Board Ministry of Religious Affairs Interfaith Harmony Government of Pakistan
Federal Minister for the Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony attended the Vaisakhi Mela main ceremony organized by the etpb at Gurudwara Janam Asthan Nankan Sahab. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, while congratulating the Sikh community on the occasion of Vaisakhi Mela and the birth of the Khalsa on behalf of Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Shahbaz Sharif and the entire nation, he said that government of Pakistan respects religion and gives great respect to the minorities. The government of Pakistan is committed to promoting interfaith harmony and religious commitment. He the that ETPB & Pakistan Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee PSGPC play vital role to for the arrangements of hospitality piligrims. The Minister, while appreciating the administration for organizing the religious events and paid tribute to the ETPB & PSGPC.
While Daljit Singh Sarna, a member of the Delhi Gurudwara Par Bandhak Committee from India, expressed his views on the occasion of Pakistan and said thanx for the excellent arrangements by the Pakistani government and ETPB. Although the number of pilgrims has doubled, there is no shortage of our hospitality in Pakistan.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Par Bandhak Committee psgpc, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said that ETPB and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Par Bandhak Committee are working day and night to provide hospitality and service to the pilgrims. The Chief Minister of Punjab has special love for minorities, which is why Sikhs are very proud in Pakistan. Gurdwaras are being renovated and made functional in Pakistan, which has further strengthened Sikh-Muslim friendship.
Minister of State Khail Das Kohistani said that the government of Pakistan is taking all possible steps for the welfare of minorities. The ceremony was also addressed by Additional Secretary Shrines, provincial ministers, Sikh Jatha leaders from India and others, while the High Commission Mr. Ban was participated, Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs representative, Secretary ETPB Farid Iqbal, Deputy Commissioner, DPO Nankana, Deputy Secretary Umar Javed Awan, Hindu leaders, Security Officer Asim Chaudhry, various minority and political leaders and officers of the board. The participants of the ceremony raised slogans of Pakistan Zindabad, Sikh Muslim Dosti Zindabad, while at the end, special gifts were distributed by the Sikh leaders to the Federal Minister and other participants.