Sikhs celebrating birth of Guru Nanak welcomed in Pakistan
THOUSANDS of Sikhs from India were welcomed to Pakistan last Friday (19) for one of the world’s biggest birthday celebrations: the 552nd birth anniversary of the Guru Nanak.
The festivities were taking place at the shrine to the founder of the Sikh religion in Nankana Sahib, the Pakistani city where he was born in 1469.
The emotion is heightened this year, as devotees from India were unable to cross the border in 2020, due to coronavirus restrictions.
“I have goosebumps, I can’t explain how I’m feeling,” Darshan Singh, a 70-year-old farmer from India, said.
“I never thought we would get this sort of love from our Pakistani brothers,” he says. “These women are not Sikh, these children know nothing about our faith, but they are standing up to welcome us with open arms and clean hearts.”
The celebration drew more than 12,000 people at the gurdwara.
Curious Muslim residents of the city stood on their rooftops to watch and shower the Sikh processions with rose petals and chocolates.
At the main gates, young Muslims and Hindus joined Sikhs in dancing to the beat of the dhol (drums).
Posters welcomed the pilgrims while there was heavy security on the streets leading to the shrine.
The devotees, many of them barefoot, waved saffron flags as they sang hymns and recited poetry and religious texts before a massive lunch of rice, naan, chickpeas and sweets.
An Indian farmer, Darshan Singh, said he will return with his family.
“This is the first time I came to Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, and it looks like I have wasted 70 years of my life,” he says.