The annual historical Baisakhi Festival 2025 of Sikhs will be held from April 12 to 15 at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal, Attock district. Approximately 12,000 Sikh pilgrims from India and around the world will begin arriving in Pakistan's Hassan Abdal from April 10-11.
This historical Baisakhi festival takes place every April at the famous Gurdwara located in Hassan Abdal. The gurdwara is home to a stone with Guru Nanak's handprint, which is preserved inside a building in the town, typically locked, but opened for Sikh and other visitors.
The gurdwara was constructed in 1823 by Sardar Hari Singh. Until 1920, it was under the control of Hindu priests, but after resistance from Sikhs, it came under the administration of the Sikh Panth along with other gurdwaras.
In 1933, the building underwent renovation, and despite being 205 years old, its grandeur still shines. The building is strong, visually stunning, and highly attractive. Gurdwara Panja Sahib is the largest gurdwara for Sikhs in the area, spanning 396 square yards, with two-story rooms surrounding it. There are also underground rooms, and shops are situated around the perimeter. The gurdwara owns several properties in Hassan Abdal, Rawalpindi, Attock, and Hazro.
Gurdwara Panja Sahib was built by Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa, a general under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He is the same Hari Singh after whom the city of Haripur is named. The renovation of Panja Sahib began in 1920 and continued intermittently until 1930. The construction of the canopy over the handprint was completed in 1932. The term "Panja" refers to the handprint, and "Sahib" means the "Lord" in Arabic, so the full meaning is "The Lord's Handprint."
Sikh tradition holds that Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, and Baba Wali Kandhari engaged in hand wrestling (Panja Azmaye) as a sign of their spiritual strength.
According to Sikh beliefs, when water was scarce, Guru Nanak struck his stick on the ground, and a spring of water emerged. Sikhs consider this spring water sacred and bathe in it during Baisakhi. They also place their handprints on the handprint of Guru Nanak, believing that it absolves them of their sins and purifies them.
The langar (community kitchen) served at Panja Sahib is made with pure desi ghee. A special train will run from Lahore to Hassan Abdal for the pilgrims, with preparations completed.
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Baisakhi festival schedule revised
our correspondent
HASSAN ABDAL. Due to the unusually high number of Indian Sikh pilgrims arriving in Pakistan for the Baisakhi Festival 2025, the event's schedule has been revised. As per the updated plan, pilgrims will now arrive in two separate groups to ensure more organised and effective arrangements.
According to official sources, around 6,500 Sikh pilgrims are expected to enter Pakistan via the Wagah Border on April 10. The first group will travel directly to Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal and depart for Nankana Sahib on April 12 after performing religious rituals.
The second group will reach Panja Sahib on the evening of April 15 and will leave for Nankana Sahib on April 17 following a two-day stay. The central religious ceremony, including Bhog and Akhand Path, will be held in Nankana Sahib.
The Attock Deputy Commissioner (DC), District Police Officer (DPO), District Officer Special Branch, Assistant Commissioner Hassan Abdal, and officials from local administration and law enforcement agencies visited Gurdwara Panja Sahib to inspect security and logistical arrangements.
During the visit, the officials reviewed key aspects such as entry and exit points, CCTV surveillance, deployment of security personnel, parking areas, and accommodation facilities for pilgrims.
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