Gurdwara Panja Sahib

One Of The Holiest Sikh Shrines, Holding A Rock Said To Bear The Handprint Of Guru Nanak; Administered By Pakistan'S Evacuee Trust Property Board · Hasan Abdal, Punjab

Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal is one of the holiest Sikh shrines in the world, built around a rock that Sikhs believe bears the handprint of Guru Nanak. The story is that a local holy man, angered by the Guru, rolled a boulder down the hill at him, and Guru Nanak stopped it with his open hand, leaving the print, while a spring began to flow at his feet. The spring still fills a clear pool full of fish in the centre of the complex, and pilgrims reach out to touch the handprint in the rock. The gurdwara was built under Maharaja Ranjit Singh's general Hari Singh Nalwa and later rebuilt, with a white building and a large courtyard lined with pilgrim rooms. Every April at Vaisakhi thousands of Sikh pilgrims cross from India under a bilateral protocol and fill the town, and the atmosphere is intense and joyful. At other times it is quiet. Access for casual visitors is controlled, so carry a passport and ask. It is under an hour from Islamabad and pairs easily with Taxila.

Hasan Abdal, Attock District, off the Grand Trunk Road, Hasan Abdal, Punjab, Pakistan

Open daily. Entry is free and the langar serves all. Access for non-pilgrims is controlled by the administering authorities and security: carry a passport or ID and expect questions at the gate. At Vaisakhi in April and other festivals, the town is packed and access for non-pilgrims may be restricted. Hasan Abdal is about 45 minutes to an hour from Islamabad.

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