Around 600 Sikh pilgrims from India have arrived in Pakistan to participate in the annual Jore Mela commemorating the martyrdom of the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev. The pilgrimage marks a significant religious occasion for the Sikh community and comes at a time when people-to-people exchanges between India and Pakistan remain limited.
The pilgrims crossed into Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border and were warmly received by officials of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Pakistan’s religious affairs authorities. They will visit several historic Sikh shrines, including Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, where the main religious ceremonies connected to the martyrdom anniversary will be held.
According to reports, the pilgrimage has special significance this year as organized Sikh jathas from India are once again participating in the observance after a long gap caused by differences over the Nanakshahi calendar. The renewed cooperation between Sikh religious bodies on both sides has helped facilitate the visit, allowing devotees to pay their respects at some of Sikhism’s holiest sites in Pakistan.
The delegation has been organized under the supervision of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which oversees major Sikh religious affairs in India. Religious leaders described the pilgrimage as an important step in preserving spiritual and cultural ties across borders.
During their stay, the pilgrims are expected to participate in Akhand Path ceremonies, prayers, kirtans, and commemorative events dedicated to Guru Arjan Dev’s sacrifice and teachings. The devotees will also visit other historic gurdwaras associated with Sikh heritage before returning to India later this month.
Jore Mela is one of the most important events in the Sikh religious calendar. Every year, thousands of devotees from different parts of the world gather at sacred sites in Pakistan to honor Guru Arjan Dev, who is remembered for his spiritual leadership, contributions to Sikh scripture, and supreme sacrifice for religious freedom. The pilgrimage continues to serve as a symbol of faith, heritage, and the enduring connection of Sikhs with their historic shrines across the border.
