ISLAMABAD: As the Baisakhi Mela 2026 continues across Pakistan, thousands of Sikh pilgrims are currently visiting the country’s sacred sites in a remarkable display of interfaith harmony. The ongoing celebrations, which began earlier this week and will run until April 22, have been widely praised as a powerful symbol of unity, peaceful coexistence, and respect for religious diversity.
Thousands of Sikh pilgrims in colorful attire are seen walking towards the white marble facade of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. A sea of devotion continues to swell at the sacred site as Baisakhi celebrations remain in full swing.
The government’s decision to issue more than 2,843 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims reflects an open and welcoming approach, transcending political tensions.
Sikhs from all around the world gather together in Hassan Abdal to celebrate Baisakhi. This vibrant festival celebrated in April marks the spring harvest in Punjab. It also commemorates the formation of the Khalsa by the Sri Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru, in 1699. The festival… pic.twitter.com/RKKjGIKcKh
— Voicepk.net (@voicepkdotnet) April 14, 2026
The pilgrims are currently undertaking a 10-day spiritual journey that is still underway, with visits to sacred sites including Nankana Sahib (the birthplace of Guru Nanak), Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Gurdwara Rodi Sahib in Eminabad, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.
Elderly Sikh pilgrims are seen with tears of joy as they are being served free food (langar) by volunteers. ‘A dream come true,’ many express gratitude for the warm hospitality as the mela continues.
🌾 Happy Baisakhi! 🌾
Warm greetings on Baisakhi to all those celebrating.
Wish you a harvest of good health, happiness & prosperity. pic.twitter.com/SwZLULwFjk
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 14, 2026
Schedule & seamless logistics
The pilgrimage is still in progress, with the following schedule currently being followed:
- April 15 (Completed): Pilgrims traveled to Nankana Sahib from Hasan Abdal, paying homage to Sacha Sauda (Farooqabad).
- April 18 (Upcoming): Pilgrims will visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur (Narowal).
- April 20 (Upcoming): Visit to Gurdwara Rodi/Rori Sahib (Eminabad) for a day of contemplation.
- April 22 (Upcoming): Farewell and departure from Pakistan.
The Pakistani government, in collaboration with the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), has made careful arrangements for transport, security, and accommodation. Sardar Ramesh Singh, Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs in Punjab, is personally overseeing the ongoing arrangements, stating that Baisakhi marks the founding of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.
“Our message is clear: Pakistan respects all faiths. The love you see here is beyond politics,” he told reporters as the celebrations entered their final phase.
A vibrant Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) is currently underway in Nankana Sahib. Sikh devotees holding the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag) are seen marching, while local Pakistani residents watch from balconies decorated with flowers. Ongoing festivities show local Pakistani Muslims continuing to join hands with Sikh pilgrims, decorating passages and covering them with banners during the Nagar Kirtan processions still taking place across Punjab.
More than a festival
Baisakhi, which falls on April 13-14, marks the Punjabi New Year and the harvest season. However, for Sikhs, it holds deeper spiritual significance as the day Guru Gobind Singh Ji established the Khalsa Panth in 1699. According to Sikh activists, to celebrate Vaisakhi, Sikhs visit important religious places of worship called Gurudwaras, which have been especially decorated for the occasion.
The ongoing celebrations include special parades and processions through the streets called Nagar Kirtans. ‘Nagar’ means town and ‘Kirtan’ means the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book.
The government of Punjab (Pakistan) has officially declared that the Baisakhi celebration would be observed officially, and the Punjabi New Year is being celebrated across the province. As Punjabi people gather around the first crop of the Rabi season, farmers are offering their prayers for an abundant harvest and prosperity.
The Kartarpur Corridor remains a bridge of faith as thousands continue to cross for the ongoing harvest festival celebrations. A long, orderly line of pilgrims is seen walking towards the Gurudwara, surrounded by green agricultural fields.
A global image being strengthened
Positive feedback from pilgrims so far is already strengthening Pakistan’s global image as a host for religious tourism. As the celebrations continue, activists note that the festivities are rooted in the teachings of Baba Guru Nanak, who emphasized finding spiritual growth through virtuous living and recognizing the divine within every human being.
In all Sikh holy places including Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Rodi Sahib (Amen Abad Gujranwala), Kartarpur, and Punja Sahib (Hasan Abdal), processions with religious zeal continue to pour into the streets. The local Muslim community is also paying respect to the great leader and helping Sikh pilgrims decorate the passages, covering them with banners.
As the pilgrims prepare to bid farewell on April 22, the echoes of their prayers, and the message of unity, continue to resonate, proving that faith has the power to bring people together across cultures and regions.
At the Wahga border ceremony, Sikh pilgrims and Pakistani officials are seen waving together during a break in the ongoing festivities. Shared humanity continues to shine as the sacred journey progresses toward its conclusion on April 22.
