Thousands gather at Panja Sahib for Baisakhi and 327th Khalsa anniversary

HASSAN ABDAL: Thousands of Sikh pilgrims from Pakistan and abroad gathered at Gurdwara Panja Sahib to mark Baisakhi and the 327th birth anniversary of the Khalsa, with more than 2,200 yatrees arriving from India for the occasion, according to a report by Dawn.

The celebrations at one of Sikhism’s most revered shrines were marked by religious devotion, traditional colour and a strong sense of connection to Sikh heritage. From early morning, the gurdwara echoed with the recitation of Gurbani as devotees, dressed in traditional attire, lined up to pay their respects.

The festival commemorates the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, an event regarded in Sikh history as a defining moment representing courage, equality and spiritual discipline. Baisakhi, observed every year on April 13 or 14, also marks the harvest season in Punjab and holds special importance for Sikhs around the world as a day of renewal, reflection and reaffirmation of faith.

Throughout the day, pilgrims offered ardas, took part in langar and visited the sacred rock bearing the handprint associated with Guru Nanak Dev, after whom the shrine is named. Many devotees appeared deeply emotional as they performed rituals at the site.

Scenes across the gurdwara complex reflected both devotion and community service. Elderly pilgrims, some using walking sticks, continued with their religious observances, while younger volunteers helped distribute food and water among visitors.

"Punjab has long served as a spiritual home to Sufis, saints and Gurus. It is a land where the very earth seems to carry the essence of love, harmony, and deep reverence for humanity, and Gurdwara at Hassan abdal is a living example of it," Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said.

Several pilgrims from India also spoke of their emotional attachment to the place. "This is more than a journey—it feels like returning home in a spiritual sense," Sardar Hardeep Singh said, adding that he was five years old when he moved with his parents from a village near Gujranwala. He said he remains in contact with childhood friends who still show him his old home through video calls.

Another Indian pilgrim, Harpreet Kaur, said, "Setting foot on this sacred land brings us deep peace. Pakistan holds profound significance for us as the land of our Gurus, and visiting Panja Sahib allows us to reconnect with our heritage, every corner here tells a story of our faith. We feel a deep sense of belonging. The love we receive from the people here is unforgettable."

As evening fell and lights illuminated the gurdwara complex against the backdrop of the surrounding hills, prayers continued in a calm and reflective atmosphere. Devotees kept arriving with personal prayers, hopes and gratitude, as the observance once again highlighted the enduring spiritual bond linking Sikh communities around the world with their sacred sites in Pakistan.