The Indian government has granted permission for selected groups of Sikh pilgrims, known as "jathas," to visit Pakistan for the upcoming Prakash Purab, which marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. This decision reverses an earlier stance from September 2025, when the government had barred pilgrims from visiting Pakistan for the celebrations, citing security concerns amidst tensions between the two countries.
The pilgrimage will be conducted within the framework of the 1974 bilateral protocol between India and Pakistan, which governs visits to religious shrines in both countries. Under this protocol, state governments will recommend eligible devotees to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Following the MEA's assessment, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will grant final clearance for the visits.
Devotees approved for the pilgrimage will travel to Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border. They will have the opportunity to visit significant Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) associated with Guru Nanak Dev, including his birthplace, Nankana Sahib, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will coordinate the pilgrimage in conjunction with Pakistan's Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).
The decision to allow the pilgrimage follows demands from Sikh leaders urging New Delhi to lift restrictions imposed on pilgrims traveling across the border. The MHA has outlined strict conditions for the pilgrimage, including the requirement that applications be properly filled and sponsored by recognized Sikh religious organizations. State police, CID, and intelligence agencies will thoroughly scrutinize applications in consultation with central security agencies before forwarding them to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Only those devotees recommended by the MHA and MEA, and subsequently issued visas by Pakistan, will be allowed to travel as part of the designated Sikh jatha. Travel will be strictly permitted only as part of the MHA-approved jatha, and even those holding valid Pakistani visas will not be allowed to travel independently due to security considerations.
Thousands of Sikh devotees travel across the border every year to observe major religious events like Prakash Purab, Baisakhi, and the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. This exchange is facilitated by the 1974 agreement, which allows limited pilgrimages despite strained relations between the two nations. The Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated in 2019, has also played a significant role in increasing religious exchanges by providing visa-free access to the Kartarpur Sahib shrine.
