A Sikh pilgrimage in Pakistan means standing where Guru Nanak was born, where he travelled and where he spent his final years. Several of the faith’s most revered gurdwaras lie in Pakistani Punjab, which gives the country a place in Sikh memory that many outsiders overlook.
Pakistan’s sacred landscape reaches across faiths, too. Travellers curious about the wider picture can explore Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage trail alongside the gurdwaras described here.
| The main Sikh holy places in Pakistan are Gurdwara Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib, Guru Nanak’s birthplace, Gurdwara Panja Sahib at Hasan Abdal, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur. Visa and access rules vary by nationality and change often, so confirm current requirements with official sources before you book. |
Which Sikh Holy Places Are in Pakistan?
Three sites anchor most itineraries. Many pilgrims also visit other historic gurdwaras, including shrines in Lahore.
| Site | Location | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Nankana Sahib | Nankana Sahib district, about 65 km from Lahore | Guru Nanak’s birthplace |
| Panja Sahib | Hasan Abdal, Attock district, about 48 km from Rawalpindi | Tradition of Guru Nanak’s handprint on a boulder |
| Kartarpur Sahib | Narowal district | Linked to Guru Nanak’s final years |
Nankana Sahib: Where Was Guru Nanak Born?
Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in a village then called Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, later renamed Nankana Sahib in his honour. Gurdwara Janam Asthan marks the place. For Sikhs, the Sikh story begins here, which is why the birth anniversary draws the largest gatherings of overseas pilgrims. On ordinary days the town is far quieter than in November, when pilgrim groups fill it, so choose your dates with that in mind.
Gurdwara Panja Sahib: History and Religious Importance
Gurdwara Panja Sahib stands in Hasan Abdal. Sikh tradition holds that Guru Nanak stopped a boulder rolling toward him and left the imprint of his hand, the panja that names the shrine. That account is a matter of faith, not documented history.
As a building, Pakistan’s Department of Archaeology and Museums lists the gurdwara as a historic monument of the 1799–1849 period. Hasan Abdal lies near Islamabad, so Panja Sahib works as a day trip from the capital. Baisakhi in April brings large groups. In 2025, Pakistan issued more than 6,500 visas for the festival, according to Arab News.
Kartarpur Sahib and the Kartarpur Corridor
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Narowal district is associated with the final years of Guru Nanak’s life and is widely counted among Sikhism’s most important sites. That connection explains why Kartarpur matters so much to pilgrims.
The Kartarpur Corridor opened on 9 November 2019, giving Indian pilgrims visa-free access with a permit. Recent reports say India has kept its side closed since May 2025, so the corridor is not currently available to Indian pilgrims. Check the latest official announcements before planning around it.
Planning a Sikh Pilgrimage to Pakistan
How can overseas Sikhs visit Pakistan?
Requirements depend on your passport and where you live. Pilgrims from India generally travel in organised groups called jathas, arranged through bodies such as the SGPC under bilateral arrangements for religious visits, and need clearance from both governments. In November 2025, nearly 2,200 visas were issued for the Guru Nanak jatha, and around 100 visa holders were turned back at the border for lacking Indian home ministry clearance, according to Hindustan Times reporting. Sikhs living elsewhere should ask the nearest Pakistani embassy or high commission about visa categories, documents, fees and processing time. Quotas and rules change from year to year.
When are the main pilgrimage occasions?
Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary in November is the largest. The 2025 celebrations ran from 4 to 13 November. Group visits are also arranged for Baisakhi in April, the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev and the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the latter two in early summer. Dates shift each year, so confirm them with the organising committee.
Practical preparation
- Hold a valid passport and the correct visa before travel
- Confirm your itinerary with your group organiser
- Plan road transfers: Nankana Sahib is about 65 km from Lahore, Hasan Abdal about 48 km from Rawalpindi
- Follow official travel advisories for your route
- Carry a head covering for gurdwara visits
Responsible Religious Tourism at Sikh Shrines
Gurdwaras are active places of worship. Cover your head, remove your shoes and follow the guidance of the custodians. Ask before photographing worshippers, keep your voice low, and take only the langar you will eat. Respect for local communities matters just as much, so buy from local businesses and leave no litter. Large groups should agree timings with their organiser and the gurdwara’s custodians so that worship is never crowded out.
Heritage also needs protection beyond a single visit. Read about the importance of sustainable religious tourism and how visitors, custodians and communities share that responsibility.
Plan an Informed, Respectful Pilgrimage
A good pilgrimage rests on preparation: verified travel documents, current access information and a clear sense of what each place means to those who worship there. Sikh heritage tourism in Pakistan works best when visitors arrive informed, patient and respectful. Explore Tourism for Interfaith Peace’s religious and cultural tourism resources, or contact the team at info@tourismforinterfaithpeace.com or +92 336 8377633.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Sikh holy places are in Pakistan?
Key sites include Gurdwara Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib at Hasan Abdal and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur, along with historic gurdwaras in Lahore.
Where was Guru Nanak born?
Guru Nanak was born in 1469 at Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib in Pakistani Punjab. Gurdwara Janam Asthan marks the birthplace.
Is the Kartarpur Corridor open?
Recent reports say India has kept its side closed since May 2025. Check the latest official announcements from both governments before planning.
How can overseas Sikhs visit Pakistan?
Apply for the appropriate visa through the nearest Pakistani embassy or high commission, or through your group organiser. Confirm documents, fees and processing times directly, as rules change.
When are major Sikh pilgrimage occasions held?
Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary falls in November, Baisakhi in April, and two other commemorations in early summer. Confirm exact dates each year.
