Amritsar, 10 June (H.S.): A special jatha of Sikh pilgrims, led by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, departed for Pakistan to pay obeisance at historic Sikh shrines on the occasion of the martyrdom day of the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji. The pilgrims crossed through the Attari-Wagah border amid great enthusiasm and chants of “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal.”
According to SGPC officials, Pakistan issued visas to 737 Sikh pilgrims, while SGPC had submitted 561 passport applications for the pilgrimage. Out of these, 541 pilgrims were granted visas, whereas 20 applications were not approved.
The pilgrimage is taking place after a gap of 14 years. Earlier, differences in the observance dates of Sikh religious events due to separate versions of the Nanakshahi Calendar in India and Pakistan had prevented such visits on this occasion. Pakistan continues to follow the older Nanakshahi Calendar, while India follows the revised version. This year, Sikh religious authorities on both sides agreed to organize the events in a coordinated manner, making the visit possible.
Secretary of the SGPC’s Dharam Prachar Committee, Gurinder Singh Mathrewal, said that the martyrdom commemorations of Guru Arjan Dev Ji will be held in Pakistan on June 18, and the jatha will return to India on June 19.
The delegation is being led by Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan, while Gurmeet Singh Bahu has been appointed deputy leader. During the visit, pilgrims will pay obeisance at several historic Sikh shrines, including Gurdwara Janam Asthan Sri Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur.
Mathrewal further informed that the jatha will first reach Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and will proceed to Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Sahib on June 11. On June 12, the pilgrims will visit Panja Sahib and then travel to Kartarpur Sahib on June 14. On June 15, the jatha will visit Gurdwara Rori Sahib before reaching Gurdwara Dera Sahib, where an Akhand Path will commence on June 16 as part of the martyrdom observances. The pilgrims will participate in the main commemorative events on June 18 before returning to India the following day.
Many pilgrims in the group belong to families whose ancestors migrated from Pakistan during Partition and whose ancestral villages still remain there. Major Singh from Moga said he was undertaking the pilgrimage for the first time and that his family was extremely excited. Writer and social activist Lakhwinder Singh Lakha Salempuri expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying that after years of praying for the chance to visit these sacred shrines, his wish had finally been fulfilled.
Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH
