Where Is Nankana Sahib? Can Indians Visit Guru Nanak's Birthplace In Pakistan?

Nankana Sahib is a well-known, historically rich city in Pakistan's Punjab province. It is located about 75 kilometers east of Faisalabad and 80 kilometers west of Lahore. For millions of Sikhs worldwide, this place is one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations on Earth. The city was originally known as Rai Bhoi Di Talwandi and was later renamed Nankana Sahib in honor of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He is known as the founder of Sikhism and was born here in 1469. Here’s more about this holy place in Pakistan.

Nankana Sahib Pakistan

Nankana Sahib is known as one of the holiest sites in Sikhism. As per the traditions, the renaming of the name of this city was done by the local chief, Rai Bular Bhatti who was an early admirer of Guru Nanak. 

It houses the Gurudwara Nankana Sahib, which is also known as Gurudwara Janam Asthan. It is named so because it is built on the exact site where the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, was born and spent his childhood. This gurudwara is a protected heritage monument in Pakistan. There is a group of historic Gurudwaras here that mark episodes of Guru Nanak’s childhood and youth. 

Nankana Sahib is the exact spot where a faith, Sikhism, followed by millions, began. The calm of Gurudwara Janam Asthan is such that even people who aren’t Sikh feel the warmth of the place, making it one of the most amazing places in Pakistan’s Punjab. 

Also Read: Golden Temple Amritsar: Timings, Entry Rules And Langar Details

Can Indians Visit Guru Nanak's Birthplace In Pakistan?

Yes, Indian citizens can surely visit Nankana Sahib; in fact, every year on Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary in November, thousands of Sikh pilgrims from India and across the globe visit this place for one of the most important Sikh gatherings. 

The transit from India to Nankana Sahib is not visa-free like the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. You need to have a formal Pilgrim Visa, which is issued by the Pakistan High Commission. It is very different from applying for a standard tourist or individual pilgrim e-visa while sitting at home. 

Indian nationals can visit Nankana Sahib only under the bilateral framework that is known as the 1975 Indo-Pak Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines. As per this agreement, only Jathas or designated groups of pilgrims are granted group pilgrim visas to visit specified historical gurudwaras across Pakistan during major religious occasions. 

Apart from this, if Indian citizens wish to travel outside these organized Jatha delegations, they can apply for an individual visitor or pilgrimage visa through the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Make sure you note that the individual tourist visas between Pakistan and India are subject to city-specific routing, administrative checks, and diplomatic security clearances. 

Also Read: What Is A Prabhat Pheri? How To Witness The Essential Early Morning Gurpurab Processions

Nankana Sahib Visa For Indians (How To Apply)

The most common and easiest way for Indian passport holders to visit Nankana Sahib is by registering with recognized Sikh religious bodies in India. These religious bodies organize official Jathas during key occasions like Gurupurab, Baisakhi, Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, and Saka Nankana Sahib Commemoration. 

These applications are generally vetted and managed by organisations like the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC), state government religious affairs departments, or the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). 

You need to keep the following documents handy for this visa:

• Valid Indian Passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining. 
• Recommendation letter from DSGMC or local district authorities, or SGPC. 
• Passport-sized photographs
• Government-issued identification cards like Aadhaar or Voter ID. 

Once this application is submitted, it undergoes security clearance by Indian home and intelligence agencies. The approved list of pilgrims is sent to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Here, the visa processing begins. The visa is stamped for Group Pilgrim Visas and is valid for pre-approved itineraries covering Nankana Sahib, Lahore, Eminabad, and Hassan Abdal or Panja Sahib. 

The pilgrims have to cross the international border at the Attari-Wagah Border in Amritsar. Once the pilgrims enter Pakistan, they are met by the officials from the Pakistan Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB). Special security-escorted buses and trains are arranged to transport the pilgrims from Wagah to their destination, Nankana Sahib. 

Also Read: Guru Nanak Jayanti At The Golden Temple: Processions, Langar Seva & More

Tips For Visitors

Make sure you exchange currency to Pakistani Rupees (PKR) at the designated exchange counter at Wagah. This is because Indian Rupees (INR) are not acceptable for general transactions in India. 

Indian SIM cards do not work on international roaming. So you can easily purchase local SIM cards at airports or border arrival ports. 

Maintain respect and silence within the shrine premises and dress modestly. Keep your head covered at all times inside Gurudwaras. Before entering, do not forget to remove your footwear at Joda Ghar. 

Note: This article was compiled after verifying current publicly available business information. 

Summing Up

To answer the question, yes, Indians surely can visit Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. The only catch is that, unlike the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, to visit this city you need to have a formal pilgrim visa. We have listed all the important information about the same, including the requirements and how to apply. So make sure you save it for future reference or share it with your friends.