Photo: Shaguftakarim · CC BY-SA 4.0Area guides / Punjab / Nankana Sahib
Area guide
Nankana Sahib
The birthplace of Guru Nanak and its gurdwaras
Region
Punjab
When to go
October to March for comfortable weather. Gurpurab, Guru Nanak's birthday in November, is the spiritual high point, with very large crowds.
Getting there
About 1.5 hours by road from Lahore. Pilgrim groups usually travel via Lahore.
Places
10 field guides
Overview
About Nankana Sahib
Nankana Sahib, west of Lahore, is named after Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, who was born here. The town is built around Gurdwara Janam Asthan, a protected heritage monument marking his birthplace, with several other historic gurdwaras close by.
About 1.5 hours by road from Lahore. Pilgrim groups usually travel via Lahore.
Gurdwara Janam Asthan
One of the holiest sites of Sikhism, the gurdwara is managed by the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. Follow the shrine's etiquette and the guidance of its staff.
The circuit of gurdwaras
Tambu Sahib, Balila Sahib, Patti Sahib, Kiara Sahib and Mal Ji Sahib each mark an episode of Guru Nanak's childhood, all within a short distance of the main shrine.
Top sights in Nankana Sahib
All 10 places →Festivals in Nankana Sahib
Festival calendar →
13 or 14 AprilBaisakhi (Vaisakhi) Mela
The Sikh harvest festival and pilgrimage, prayers, langar, and processions at Panja Sahib and Nankana Sahib.
November (Sikh calendar)Guru Nanak Gurpurab
The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, Sikhism's most important pilgrimage in Pakistan, at Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur.
Resorts
All resorts →
Nankana Sahib: Questions Travellers Ask
What is there to see in Nankana Sahib?
10 places in Nankana Sahib have their own field guide here, the most in sikh heritage (10).
When is the best time to visit Nankana Sahib?
October to March for comfortable weather. Gurpurab, Guru Nanak's birthday in November, is the spiritual high point, with very large crowds.
How do you get to Nankana Sahib?
About 1.5 hours by road from Lahore. Pilgrim groups usually travel via Lahore.
What day trips can you take from Nankana Sahib?
11 within about 20 km of Nankana Sahib, all listed on this page: Sheikhupura Fort (about 13 km outside), Mir Chakar's Tomb (about 16 km outside), Hiran Minar & Tank (about 16 km outside), Changa Manga Forest (about 20 km outside) and 7 Sikh heritage sites.
The complete guide
Everything to See in Nankana Sahib
All 10 places in Nankana Sahib with their own field guide, grouped by kind.
Sikh heritage · 10
Gurdwara Bal Lila Sahib, Nankana SahibWhere the child Nanak played, about 225 metres south-east of the Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib.
Gurdwara Guru Arjan Sahib, BuchekiA domed gurdwara in Bucheki, where Guru Arjan came from Nankana Sahib.
Gurdwara Kiara Sahib, Nankana SahibWhere the young Nanak's buffaloes grazed a farmer's field, which was found green and undamaged.
Gurdwara Mal Ji Sahib, Nankana SahibWhere a cobra is said to have shaded the sleeping child Nanak as he grazed his buffaloes.
Gurdwara Nihang Singhan, Nankana SahibThe Nihang Singhs' own prakash place in Nankana Sahib, beside Gurdwara Tambu Sahib.
Gurdwara Patti Sahib, Nankana SahibWhere the young Nanak studied with his teachers and composed the Patti in Rag Asa.
Gurdwara Sacchi Manji, HaftmadarWhere Guru Nanak's manji (bed) was kept with the Gill landowners of Haftmadar, and one shoe of Guru Amar Das.
Gurdwara Tambu Sahib, Nankana SahibThe tent-like van tree where Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana sheltered after the 'true bargain', still standing.
Gurdwaras Panjvin and Chhevin Patshahi, Nankana SahibTwin shrines of Guru Arjan and Guru Hargobind near Tambu Sahib, sharing one boundary wall.
Nankana SahibBirthplace of Guru Nanak and Sikhism's holiest city, Gurdwara Janam Asthan anchors Pakistan's interfaith heritage routes.
Around Nankana Sahib: day trips · 11
Outside Nankana Sahib, straight-line distance from its boundary.
Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi, Alpa~3 km outside Nankana Sahib
Gurdwara Bhai Pheru, Bhai Pheru~5 km outside Nankana Sahib
Gurdwara Tham Sahib, Jamber Kalan~10 km outside Nankana Sahib
Gurdwara Panjvin Patshahi, Sheikam~12 km outside Nankana Sahib
Gurdwara Panjvin Patshahi, Beherwal~12 km outside Nankana Sahib
Sheikhupura Fort~13 km outside Nankana Sahib
Hiran Minar & Tank~16 km outside Nankana Sahib
Gurdwara Sach Khand, Chuhrkana~16 km outside Nankana Sahib
Mir Chakar's Tomb~16 km outside Nankana Sahib
Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Farooqabad~17 km outside Nankana Sahib
Changa Manga Forest~20 km outside Nankana Sahib