June 16, 2026
By Mateen Ali
LAHORE
Hundreds of Sikh pilgrims gathered at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore on Tuesday to commemorate the 420th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru of Sikhism, in a ceremony marked by devotion, historical reflection, and rare cross-border warmth.
The 737 pilgrims arrived in Pakistan on June 10 after the Pakistani High Commission in India issued them visas for the occasion. Before reaching Lahore, they also visited Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur and Gurdwara Rohri Sahib in Eminabad — two other sacred sites central to Sikh heritage in Pakistan.
A martyrdom rooted in history
Speaking to Voicepk, Gyani Ranjit Singh, Head Granthi at the Gurdwara, recounted the historical events that led to Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom. He explained that the Guru’s son had been betrothed to the daughter of Chandu Devan Singh, a Mughal court official. When Chandu made derogatory and blasphemous remarks against the Guru, the engagement was cancelled. In retaliation, Chandu used his influence with Emperor Jahangir to turn the emperor against the Guru.
“The Guru was eventually tortured and martyred, and his body was immersed in the River Ravi,” Gyani Ranjit Singh said. “Gurdwara Dera Sahib was later erected at the very site on the riverbank where the Ravi once flowed.”Punjab Minorities’ Affairs Minister Ramesh Singh Arora, who also addressed the gathering, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to religious pilgrimage.
“Pakistan will continue to welcome all foreign pilgrims and provide them with the best possible facilities,” he said.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board and the Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee arranged food, medical aid, and transportation for the visiting pilgrims throughout their stay.
‘Pakistanis have won our hearts’
For 82-year-old Tritpal Singh, the pilgrimage was deeply personal. Born in Tehsil Fateh Jang, in what is now Pakistan, he was just two years old at the time of Partition. “This is my motherland, and I have always wanted to see my village,” he said. On a previous visit, he had been permitted to travel to his ancestral home, but no such permission was granted this time.
For many other Indian pilgrims also, the visit carried profound personal and spiritual significance — all the more so given a long gap in organised travel. Gyani Satwan Singh from Amritsar noted that this was the first organised group visit for this specific commemoration in 13 years.
“There have been no organised visits for the last 13 years for this specific event, but thankfully we got the chance to attend it this year,” he said. “Pakistanis have won our hearts. Ever since our arrival, they have opened their hearts to us. We will leave Pakistan with a message of love.”
That sentiment resonated across the gathering. Tarlochan Singh from Delhi, visiting Pakistan for the first time, said he found the people on both sides of the border indistinguishable in their warmth. “This hassle of borders should be abolished,” he said. “Chardha Punjab and Lehnda Punjab should not be different — they should be one.”
A global community converges
Sardar Saran highlighted the international character of the gathering.
“Members of the Sikh community have come here from all over the world — India, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States,” he said, noting that a Sri Akhand Path, a continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib completed within 48 hours, had been organised as part of the commemorations.The occasion also drew participants from beyond the Sikh faith. Darshna Lal Singh, a Hindu from Sindh, said he attends every year. “Sikhism and Hinduism share many common values, and we hold the Sikh Gurus in the same regard as Sikhs do,” he said. “Guru Arjan Dev is also our Guru. We have come here to pay our respects on the occasion of his martyrdom.”
The pilgrims are expected to conclude their visit and return to India through the Wagah border crossing on June 19.