1000’s of Sikhs have been in Pakistan to rejoice Vaisakhi, a harvest pageant that marks the beginning of the Sikh New 12 months and is generally noticed in Punjab and northern India.
Pakistani authorities this yr granted greater than 6,500 visas to Indian Sikhs, the next quantity than earlier years. Visas to journey between the 2 nations are usually tough to acquire, however the governments have a particular association that enables pilgrims to go to shrines and locations of worship.
The primary Vaisakhi ceremony was held in Nankana Sahib, the place the founding father of the Sikh religion, Guru Nanak, was born.
Gurdwara Janam Asthan is one in all 9 Sikh locations of worship at Nankana Sahib, which is situated some 75 kilometers (46 miles) west of Lahore.
Rinko Kaur traveled from India’s western Gujarat state, the place Prime Minister Narendra Modi is from. She mentioned she was initially hesitant about visiting Pakistan.
“My household warned me about going … and mentioned I must be with a gaggle to be protected,” Kaur mentioned.
However she mentioned the individuals have been welcoming.
“I noticed individuals popping out of their homes, waving as a welcome gesture. We really feel as if we’re celebrities,” mentioned Kaur, who plans to go to different Sikh holy websites in Pakistan within the coming days.
Many Sikh holy websites are situated in Pakistan after the British partitioned the subcontinent into separate nations in 1947 following two centuries of colonial rule.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mentioned Vaisakhi was a time of “nice pleasure for farmers.” The pageant additionally encourages a spirit of hope, unity and renewal that conjures up and unites communities, Sharif added.
