Baisakhi (also spelt Vaisakhi) is the Sikh spring festival marking the founding of the Khalsa in 1699, and at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal the main ceremony is held on 14 April. Pilgrims from India, from the Sikh diaspora and from Pakistan gather for several days around that date. If you want to see the gurdwara in its quietest state, April is the wrong month; if you want to understand why it matters to a global community, this is the week.
This guide is about the festival itself: dates, programme, who comes, and how the week affects a visit. For the shrine's history and the handprint legend, see our Gurdwara Panja Sahib guide.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Main ceremony | 14 April each year |
| 2026 festival window | 10 to 19 April, per Pakistani officials |
| Where | Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal, about 40 to 45 km north-west of Islamabad |
| Who organises pilgrim arrangements | Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) |
| Pilgrim visas, 2026 | Over 2,800 issued to Sikhs from India |
| Best for | Understanding Sikh heritage in Pakistan, not for a quiet visit |
When is Baisakhi at Panja Sahib?
The principal ceremony falls on 14 April, which is how the festival has been reported in recent years. In 2024 Dawn reported celebrations on 14 and 15 April, and in 2026 officials described a programme running from 10 to 19 April, with the main ceremony at Panja Sahib on the 14th. The wider programme moves between several Sikh sites, so pilgrims spend only part of the week in Hasan Abdal.
Hasan Abdal itself is about 40 km north-west of Islamabad in Attock district. For the town and its other sights see our Hasan Abdal guide.
What happens on the day
Dawn's report of the 2024 festival described the main elements: a three-day continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib that concludes with the Bhog, kirtan (hymn singing), the ardas (prayer), and a palki procession that closes the celebration. It was the 325th anniversary of the Khalsa. In 2026 the occasion marked the 327th.
Reports from 2026 describe devotees praying and taking part in rituals through the day. We have not found a published hour-by-hour timetable, and the order can vary, so do not plan around exact times.
Who attends
Dawn reported about 8,000 people at the 2024 celebration: over 2,400 from India, more than 2,000 from other countries including the UK, US, Canada, Australia and the Gulf, and about 2,000 Pakistani Sikhs and Hindus. For 2026 the ETPB expected more than 26,000 pilgrims across the whole festival window. Those figures are not like for like, since the 2026 number covers the full programme and several sites.
In 2024, foreign diplomats and Pakistani government officials, including the defence minister, also attended.
How pilgrims get here
Indian pilgrims travel under a bilateral protocol on religious visits. In 2026 they were due to arrive in Lahore through the Wagah border on 10 April, after ETPB issued more than 2,800 visas. Reports note this followed the May 2025 conflict between Pakistan and India, and the Kartarpur Corridor remained closed. The ETPB said it arranged accommodation in marquees with bedding, drinking water, air conditioning and washrooms, and security measures included CCTV monitoring.
Should you visit during Baisakhi?
Be honest about what you will get. Security restrictions during the festival limited pilgrims' movement outside the gurdwara in 2026, and you should expect tighter security checks. We found no published rules for non-pilgrim visitors, so we can't say how easy entry is for them in festival week. Check with local authorities before you go.
If you are a Pakistani visitor curious about the event, expect crowds and the need to follow instructions from police and volunteers. Dress modestly, cover your head and remove your shoes inside, as you would at any gurdwara.
If you only want to see the gurdwara, a weekday outside April is easier. You can combine it with Taxila: see places to visit in Taxila. For more on seasonal events, browse our experiences.
Is it safe?
Hasan Abdal is in Punjab's Attock district and is not on the UK government's do-not-travel lists. Security is heavy during the festival, which is the reason for the checks. Local news and police advice are the right source for conditions on the day.
Frequently asked questions
When is Baisakhi celebrated at Panja Sahib?
The main ceremony is on 14 April. In 2026 the wider programme ran from 10 to 19 April.
How many pilgrims come for Baisakhi?
About 8,000 attended in 2024 per Dawn. For 2026 officials expected more than 26,000 across the festival, including more than 2,800 from India.
Can non-Sikhs attend Baisakhi at Panja Sahib?
The gurdwara is open to visitors of any faith on ordinary days. We could not find published rules for festival week, so check locally.
Where is Panja Sahib?
In Hasan Abdal, Attock district, about 40 km north-west of Islamabad on the GT Road.
Is the Kartarpur Corridor open for Baisakhi?
Reports in April 2026 said it remained closed, and pilgrims crossed at Wagah instead.
