As part of the celebrations of the Prakash Purab (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak in 2024, nearly 2,600 Sikh pilgrims from India have traveled to Pakistan, where they are visiting prominent Gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak. An important consideration is that this Prakash Purab is the 555th anniversary but it is Nanakshahi 556 calendar year which the Sikhs follow. The Sikh jatha (visiting group), with 750 members initially departing from Amritsar, joined the larger group in Pakistan, where celebrations began with a warm welcome at the Wagah Border by officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. However, Pakistan denied entry to 1,481 visa applicants. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami expressed dismay over the denial. Despite this, on 11 Nov, Pakistan Panjab Minister for Minority Affairs, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, and Pakistan Panjab Home Secretary, Noorul Amin Mengal, inaugurated the renovation work at Gurdwara Rohri Sahib near Aminabad, Gujranwala. Arora said the renovation and expansion of the Gurdwara would cost approximately USD 533K and will ensure all necessary facilities for Sikh pilgrims to have a safe and comfortable experience. Meanwhile, Sikh leaders have expressed concern over the transformation of Kartarpur Sahib from a religious site into what they see as a ‘commercialized tourist destination.’
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