Baisakhi 2024: Pakistan High Commission issues 2,843 visas to Sikh pilgrims for festival

Baisakhi 2024 : Ahead of the Baisakhi festival in 2024 and highlighting the cultural and religious exchanges between India and Pakistan, particularly within the Sikh community, the Pakistan High Commission issued 2,843 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India, allowing them to participate in the annual Baisakhi festival scheduled to take place in Pakistan from April 13 to April 22.

Pakistan High Commission of India made the announcement taking to their X handle and wrote, "On the occasion of Baisakhi celebrations, @PakinIndia has issued 2843 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual festival scheduled to be held in Pakistan from 13-22 April 2024." 

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During the visit pilgrims would visit Dera Sahib, Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib.

Every year, thousands of Sikh pilgrims from across the globe gather in Pakistan to celebrate Baisakhi at historical Sikh shrines, including Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal and Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore.

In November, last year, the Pakistan High Commission issued around 3,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to attend the event celebrating the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
The issuance of visas is covered under the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on visits to Religious Shrines of 1974. 
 
Baisakhi also known as ‘Vaisakh Sankranti’ or ‘Vaisakhi’, Baisakhi is a spring harvest festival celebrated in Punjab and other parts of North India. The festival usually falls on April 13 or 14 every year and marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year. 

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Festival of Baisakhi commemorates the formation of the Khalsa Panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Meanwhile, Hindus celebrate the descent of Goddess Ganga on Earth on this day. In her honour, people gather for a holy bath along the banks of the river Ganga.

(With inputs from agencies)