The Maharaja Ranjit Singh barsi is the death anniversary of the Sikh ruler who made Lahore his capital, marked every year in the last days of June at Gurdwara Dera Sahib and the Samadhi beside Lahore Fort. In 2026 the main ceremony, the 187th anniversary, was held on 29 June. It is a religious gathering for the Sikh community, with pilgrims arriving from India under a government-organised programme, not a public festival with stalls or a fair.
That matters for how you plan. If you are a Sikh pilgrim, this is one of the set dates in the Pakistan pilgrimage calendar. If you are anyone else, the barsi is mostly something to understand and respect from outside, and the better time to see the site is on an ordinary day. This guide covers the history behind the date, what the day involves, who travels, and what visitors should expect.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| What | Death anniversary (barsi) of Maharaja Ranjit Singh |
| Where | Gurdwara Dera Sahib and the Samadhi, Lahore Fort area |
| When | Late June each year; 29 June in 2026 |
| Organiser | Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) |
| Who attends | Sikh pilgrims from India and other countries, and Pakistan's Sikh community |
| Open to the public | Not as a general event; see the access notes below |
Why is the barsi held in June?
Ranjit Singh died in his sleep in Lahore on 27 June 1839 (Wikipedia). He had been crowned Maharaja at Lahore Fort on 12 April 1801 and ruled the Sikh Empire from the city for nearly four decades. His remains were cremated and the ashes placed in the Samadhi, the marble memorial that stands next to Gurdwara Dera Sahib, between Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque.
The Samadhi has its own history, architecture and rules on entry, which we cover in our guide to the Samadhi of Ranjit Singh. This post is about the annual occasion.
When is the Maharaja Ranjit Singh barsi in 2026 and 2027?
In 2026 the pilgrims' programme ran from about 21 June to 30 June, with the main commemoration on 29 June (Pakistan Today, The Tribune, India). Earlier years have shifted slightly: in 2022, the 183rd anniversary, the main function was held on 30 June (The News).
We could not find a published date for 2027. Expect the same pattern, a programme in the last week of June, with the exact day announced by the ETPB and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee closer to the time. The date follows the usual Gregorian calendar and does not depend on moon sighting, but the visa and travel dates for pilgrims are set by the two governments each year, so treat any early date as provisional.
What happens on the day
The ceremony at Gurdwara Dera Sahib follows the pattern of a Sikh congregation. According to The Tribune (India), the 2026 observance began with recitation of verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, followed by devotional hymn-singing and congregational prayers. Afterwards the pilgrims walked to the adjacent Samadhi to pay their respects. Karah parshad (the sweet offering) is distributed and langar, the free communal meal, is served.
Officials speak as well. In 2026 the ETPB's secretary for shrines and Punjab's minorities minister, Ramesh Singh Arora, addressed the gathering and spoke of shared heritage and interfaith harmony. These speeches are part of why the event gets news coverage in both countries.
Who travels from India
Indian pilgrims cross at the Attari-Wagah border and are received by the ETPB and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. In 2026, reports said Pakistan issued 438 visas, and roughly 340 pilgrims crossed on 21 June (counts in different reports range from 337 to 346). Reports also noted that many of the pilgrims were young people.
Their programme is not limited to Lahore. The 2026 group was due to visit Nankana Sahib, Kartarpur and other gurdwaras as well. If you want the wider picture of what they see, read our guides to Sikh heritage sites in Lahore, Nankana Sahib and the Kartarpur Gurdwara.
The ETPB says it arranges accommodation, transport, langar, medical camps and ambulances (Rescue 1122) for the visiting group.
Pilgrim numbers and visas are an area of change. Cross-border Sikh pilgrimages have been disrupted in some years by tensions between the two countries, and a Daily Times report from an earlier year recorded Indian pilgrims being denied entry. Whether a given year goes ahead depends on the governments, not on the gurdwara.
Can other visitors attend or see the Samadhi?
The Samadhi and Gurdwara Dera Sahib are managed by the ETPB, and entry has generally been for Sikh visitors, with others needing permission. The rules have changed over the years, so check the current position before planning a trip around it. Our Samadhi guide explains what is known.
If you are not a pilgrim, the practical advice is:
- Do not turn up on the day expecting to walk in. Crowd control and security around the Fort area are tighter than usual.
- Visit the neighbours instead. Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque stand next to the compound and have their own ticketing and hours.
- Ask the ETPB if you have a serious interest, such as research or a photography project. They are the only authority who can give permission.
Etiquette if you are near a Sikh gathering
Anyone who does get inside a gurdwara compound follows the usual customs. Cover your head with a scarf or cloth, remove your shoes, wash your feet where a basin is provided and dress modestly in long sleeves and trousers or a shalwar. Do not bring tobacco. Accept karah parshad with both hands if it is offered. Do not photograph worshippers without asking, and do not step across or touch the prayer area.
Who the barsi is for
For Sikh families it is a pilgrimage tied to the memory of the Sikh Empire and its capital. For history readers it is a good reason to visit Lahore Fort and the Walled City in the same week, though the anniversary itself will not give you access you would not otherwise have.
If the idea is to see Sikh heritage in Lahore as a tourist, a quiet weekday outside the pilgrimage dates is easier. If you want to connect with the festival side of Sikh Punjab, our guides to Guru Nanak's birthday at Nankana Sahib and Vaisakhi in Pakistan cover the larger gatherings, and our experiences page lists more cultural travel ideas.
Late June in Lahore is hot, so carry water and keep the middle of the day for indoors.
Frequently asked questions
When is Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death anniversary?
He died on 27 June 1839. The commemorations in Lahore are held in the last week of June; the main ceremony in 2026 was on 29 June.
Where is the barsi held?
At Gurdwara Dera Sahib, with the pilgrims then visiting the Samadhi next door, in the compound between Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque.
Can non-Sikhs attend the barsi?
It is organised for Sikh pilgrims by the Evacuee Trust Property Board. Non-Sikh access to the Samadhi has been limited, so ask the ETPB before planning to attend.
Do Indian Sikh pilgrims come every year?
Usually, under the bilateral arrangement, with visas issued by Pakistan. In 2026 about 340 crossed at Wagah. Some years have been disrupted by political tensions, so it is never guaranteed.
Is the event a festival with food stalls and crowds?
No. It is a religious ceremony with prayers, hymns, karah parshad and langar, run by the ETPB with heavy security.
