Thousands of Sikh pilgrims visit Pakistan to celebrate 'Vaisakhi'

Over 6,500 visas issued to Indian Sikhs; festival also encourages a spirit of hope and unity, says Pakistani PM; we feel as if we are celebrities in Pakistan: Kaur

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Thousands of Sikhs were in Pakistan on Monday to celebrate Vaisakhi, a harvest festival that marks the start of the Sikh New Year and is mostly observed in Punjab and northern India.

Pakistani authorities this year granted more than 6,500 visas to Indian Sikhs, a higher number than previous years. Visas to travel between the two countries are normally difficult to obtain, but the governments have a special arrangement that allows pilgrims to visit shrines and places of worship.

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz have extended warm greetings to Sikh community, living in Pakistan and world over, on the occasion of Vaisakhi.

Shahbaz said Vaisakhi was a time of "great joy for farmers." The festival also encourages a spirit of hope, unity and renewal that inspires and unites communities, Shahabz added.

The main Vaisakhi ceremony was held in Nankana Sahib, where the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak, was born.

Gurdwara Janam Asthan is one of nine Sikh places of worship at Nankana Sahib, which is located some 75 kilometres west of Lahore.

Rinko Kaur travelled from India's western Gujarat state, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is from. She said she was initially hesitant about visiting Pakistan.