NEW DELHI, Nov 15: The Pakistan High Commission in Delhi has issued 3,000 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib in Pakistan for the 552nd birth anniversary celebration of the founder of Sikhism on November 19.

Sikh pilgrims from other countries also visit the Pakistan gurdwaras during the period. The visas to Sikhs in India are issued under the 1974 Indo-Pakistan protocol which facilitates religious visits by communities to shrines in each other's country.

The pilgrims should carry certificate of full vaccination and a negative covid test report taken within 72 hours before leaving for Pakistan. The Sikh jatha will also visit gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Sri Panja Sahib, Dera Sahib and gurdwara Sacha Sauda.

"Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued around 3,000 visas to Indian Sikh yatrees to participate in the 552nd birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak in Pakistan from 17-26 November 2021. During their stay in Pakistan, the Sikh yatrees would pay obeisance at different Gurdwaras including Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur," a Pakistan High Commission release said.

The Guru Nank birth anniversary celebration is called Guru Nanak Jayanti or Guru Nanak Gurpurab. Guru Nank is the founder and first Guru of Sikhism. The day is celebrated on the full moon day of the Kartik month as per the Hindu calendar. The day is also called Kartik Poornima. It falls on November 19 in 2021.