Sikh jatha leaves for Nankana Sahib

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 20

As many as 2,417 pilgrims today left for Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev on November 25.

Three special trains were arranged to ferry them to Pakistan from the Attari Railway Station. The Sikh jatha included pilgrims from the SGPC, the DSGMC, Khalra Mission Committee, Vishav Bhai Mardana Yaadgari Kirtan Darbar Society, Ferozepur, Nankana Sahib Sikh Yatri Jatha, Kar Sewa Samparda, Khadoor Sahib, Kar Sewa Samprada Guru Ka Bagh, Sukhmani Sahib Sewa Society, Haryana.

Before leaving, SGPC member Gurmit Bhooh said the jatha would visit Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib before reaching Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. On November 24, the pilgrims would pay obeisance at Gurdwara Sacha Sauda (Farukabad). The next day, they would return to Nankana Sahib to celebrate the Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev. Day after, they would visit Gurdwara Dehra Sahib in Lahore.

On November 28, they would visit Gurdwara Rohri Sahib, Gujranwala, and Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Narowal. They would return to India on November 29.

He said the kar sewa of Gurdwara Dehra Sahib had been assigned to the SGPC and talks were on with the Wakf Board to plan the next course of action. “We will also ask the Pakistani Government to hand over the kar sewa of other Pakistani gurdwaras to the SGPC and relax visa norms for the pilgrims,” he said. The SGPC had sent applications of 975 devotees to the Union Home Ministry and the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. As many as 924 applicants were granted visa.

Gurbachan Singh, DSGMC leader said the ‘amrit sanchar’ programme was on the itinerary of the pilgrimage. “The Panj Pyaras from the DSGMC are accompanying the jatha,” he said.

Khalra Mission Committee chairperson Balwinder Jhabaal said 400 members were part of the jatha.