Hindu pilgrims embark on week-long travel to Pakistan for Maha Shivratri
A group of over 150 Hindu pilgrims of Indian nationality crossed over to Pakistan on a week-long pilgrimage to celebrate Maha Shivratri at the Shree Katas Raj cluster of temples.
The pilgrimage, organised by the Kendriya Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha, began today at the Attari-Wagah border.
The Pakistan High Commission had issued 154 visas to facilitate the group’s travel to the temples in Punjab province’s Chakwal district.
The pilgrimage is planned between February 24 and March 2, 2025. Some pilgrims, hailing from far-off states like New Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Visakhapatnam, reached Sri Durgiana Mandir in Amritsar last evening, while others joined them at the Attari border this morning.
Resentment prevailed among those who were denied visas and had to miss the trip. The confirmation for visas was announced just a couple of days before the scheduled pilgrimage.
Pt. Ribhu Kant Goswami from the Sanatan Dharam Sabha said the governments of both neighbouring nations should be more liberal in granting visas, considering the sentiments of the pilgrims.
He mentioned that 175 applications were submitted, but only 154 were accepted. "No valid reason was given for the rejection of applications. I urge that Hindu devotees living in India should be granted visas liberally. We have our ancient temples which were left over there after the Partition. Katasraj is the center of Sanatan Dharam, and we should not refrain from visiting our temples," he said.
Under the provision of a bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines, Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year. Pakistani pilgrims also visit India every year under this protocol. Some pilgrims from far-off places like West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Rajasthan had to cancel their train bookings and arrange costly flights to join the jatha members departing from Amritsar. Some pilgrims reached the Durgiana Mandir a day prior to their departure for pilgrimage to Pakistan, while others joined them directly at the Attari border. After crossing the Attari-Wagah border on foot today, the pilgrims will spend the night in Lahore. The next day, they will travel to Shree Katas Raj temples in Chakwal district by road and spend the day there after paying obeisance.
On February 26, the main occasion of ‘Shivratri Utsav’ will be celebrated at Shree Amarkund, and a ‘havan’ will be held at Katas Raj temples. The pilgrims will stay overnight. In the evening, a deepmala and fireworks display will take place. On February 27, they will return to Lahore.
On February 28, the devotees will participate in the pooja at Shree Maharaj Samadhi in the old Shahi Qila at Lahore. On March 1, they will visit Shree Krishna Jee Mandir and other Hindu temples. The next day, they will return through the Attari-Wagah border.
