Guru Nanak Dev the founding father of Sikhism spent most of his life in Punjab, apart from his 4 lengthy travels which took him to all locations of the identified world at the moment. He travelled to Mecca and Baghdad and later to Dacca and Ceylon, Nanak spent all his life in West Punjab which is now a part of Pakistan. Many miracles are attributed to him whereas he lived within the Punjab and these locations the place he confirmed that he was a prophet. The locations of his miracles have gurdwaras constructed to commemorate these occasions. Total West Punjab is dotted with Sikh gurdwaras and although some have decayed as most Sikhs left for India after 1947 Tourist places in Pakistan, the holiest of them are preserved and are in comparatively good situation.

The Pakistan authorities has arrange a company known as the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) which takes care of the Sikh holy locations and gurudwaras. The chairman is appointed by the Pakistan authorities, however members are Sikhs who’re settled in Pakistan. The PSGPC will get funds from the Pakistan authorities and in addition donations from the Sikh diaspora within the UK, Canada, and the USA and makes use of the cash for the maintenance of those holy locations.

I’ll additional point out that the Pakistan structure preamble and Article 20 assure freedom of worship to all minorities. In observe, there could also be aberrations at some locations, however usually, a big Hindu, Sikh, Shia and Christian minority stay in Pakistan. Inside the ambit of the structure Sikh holy locations are effectively sorted and periodical celebrations of Sikh festivals are carried out and vacationers from all around the world go to Pakistan.

I had an incredible need to go to the holy Sikh locations in Pakistan. Particularly, the 2 most well-known locations which have gurdwaras at Panja Sahib (near Peshawar) and Dera Baba Nanak (the place Guru Nanak spent the final 15 years of his life). I obtained my probability two years again and visited each these holy locations. The gurdwaras are very effectively maintained and annual gurupurab festivals on all Sikh holy days are frequently carried out. It was an elevating expertise and one wonders why partition came about. Punjab was at all times one entity and dividing it was like slicing the umbilical twine of two twins. That is, nonetheless, historical past and I have to add that I used to be very effectively acquired and feted in Pakistan. I used to be in Pakistan for nearly every week and for me its a go to to cherish and bear in mind.