Maryamabad Pilgrimage: Pakistan's Marian Festival

The Maryamabad pilgrimage is the largest Catholic gathering in Pakistan. Every September, hundreds of thousands of people converge on the National Marian Shrine at Maryamabad (also spelt Mariamabad), a village in Sheikhupura district, for three days of Mass, rosary and prayer around the feast of the Nativity of Mary on 8 September. In 2026 it was the 77th national pilgrimage, held from 4 to 6 September.

It is a Christian religious event, not a tourist festival, and it is worth reading about before turning up. This guide covers what the pilgrimage is, how the three days run, who goes, how people reach the village, and how a respectful non-Catholic visitor should behave.

What is the Maryamabad pilgrimage?

Maryamabad means "city of Mary" in Urdu. The settlement was founded in the early 1890s by Capuchin missionaries, who bought land for Christian converts, and the first families arrived on foot in January 1893 after a march of about six days. The Church of St Mary and St Joseph was built there in 1898.

The village was declared Pakistan's National Marian Shrine in 1949, and the annual pilgrimage has been held ever since. The centre of it is a hilltop grotto with a statue of the Virgin Mary, the Daman-e-Mariam, where pilgrims climb to pray and light candles.

Mary is honoured in Islam as well, as the mother of Isa (Jesus) and the only woman named in the Quran, and press reports regularly note Muslims and some Hindus among the people who come to the shrine to pray. The main programme, though, is Catholic, led by bishops and priests from across the country.

When is the pilgrimage in 2026 and 2027?

The 2026 pilgrimage ran from 4 to 6 September. The date follows the Christian calendar, with the Nativity of Mary fixed on 8 September, so there is no moon sighting involved. It is usually held in the first part of September, built around that feast.

For 2027 we could not find a published schedule. Expect it in early September again, and check the announcement from the Archdiocese of Lahore or the shrine's own channels before you plan. The exact days sometimes shift a little to suit weekends and church calendars.

September is also monsoon season in Punjab. The 2026 pilgrimage went ahead in heavy rain and with flood warnings in the forecast, so a waterproof and spare clothes are not optional.

How the three days run

Reports of the 2026 programme describe a structure that organisers repeat each year in broad terms:

1. Day one centres on young people and spiritual renewal, with the opening Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Lahore.
2. Day two is dedicated to prayer for the sick and for families.
3. Day three is the feast itself, the Nativity of Mary, with the main celebration and a message of national unity.

Between the services there is a continuous rosary, hymns, testimonies and long queues up to the grotto. In 2026 the rosary was led by Franciscans and framed as a prayer for peace, because the pilgrimage fell in the year of the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi. The celebrants included a cardinal, two archbishops, 21 priests and members of seven religious orders.

Who goes, and how do they get there?

Catholics travel from every diocese in the country. Many make the final stretch the hard way, on foot or by bicycle, as an act of devotion, and others arrive by motorbike, truck and chartered bus. Local families and volunteers provide food, transport and first aid along the way, and parishes organise groups and camps.

Inside the grounds there are pilgrim camps, medical posts and stalls selling religious items, snacks and tea. Before the 2026 event the Archbishop of Lahore inspected the grounds and the arrangements for security, accommodation, medical services and crowd management.

Getting to Maryamabad

The shrine is in Sheikhupura district, north-west of Lahore. Published distances from Lahore vary between about 80 and 115 km depending on the route, so use your phone's map for the actual drive rather than trusting a figure. The usual approach is via Sheikhupura city, and in 2021 the Punjab government announced a new 4.1 km road linking Sheikhupura and Maryamabad to ease pilgrim traffic.

Some practical points for a day visit:

• Start early. Traffic into the village builds up through the morning on the peak days and the last stretch moves slowly.
• Expect road closures and diversions near the shrine, and traffic police directing parking into fields or designated areas. Follow their instructions.
• Public transport is slow on pilgrimage days. If you take a bus to Sheikhupura, expect to continue by local transport or on foot.
• Accommodation in the village is for pilgrims, in camps and parish arrangements. Most outside visitors base themselves in Lahore and go for the day.

Etiquette for visitors who are not pilgrims

You are welcome to watch if you behave as you would at any place of worship, but this is not a performance put on for sightseers.

• Dress modestly. Women should cover their heads and shoulders, and everyone should wear long trousers or a shalwar kameez. Remove shoes where others do.
• Ask before photographing people at prayer, and do not photograph people lighting candles at close range or in tears. Keep drones at home.
• Do not step into queues or services to take a picture. Stand at the side.
• Do not hand out religious literature or try to start debates about belief.
• Look after your belongings and your children. Crowds on the feast day are very large.
• Carry water and cash. Stalls take cash, and the grounds are hot and humid in early September.

Is it safe?

Maryamabad is in central Punjab, which is not on the UK government's list of areas it advises against travelling to. Christian gatherings in Pakistan have been targeted in the past, so security is taken seriously: expect police and volunteer checks, bag searches and restrictions on vehicles near the shrine. Co-operate calmly, and check local news and the organisers' announcements before you set out. Overseas visitors should also check their own government's current advice.

Who it suits, and who it does not

It suits travellers with a real interest in Pakistan's Christian communities, people who want to see one of the country's biggest mass gatherings, and photographers who can be discreet. It is a good day trip alongside Lahore, and it fits well with our guide to Christmas in Pakistan for the rest of the Christian calendar.

It is a poor fit if you want comfort, quiet or a structured tourist experience. Peak days mean heat, mud if it rains, dense crowds and long walks. For other festivals with a more open visitor welcome, see our guide to the best festivals in Pakistan, or browse more experiences across Pakistan. For dates that fall on national holidays, see our public holidays guide.

Frequently asked questions