Guru Nanak’s anniversary: Sikh jatha to leave for Pakistan

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 5

The SGPC is all set to send a ‘jatha’ to Pakistan to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak that falls on November 19. On the other hand, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has conducted a meeting with the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) to review the arrangements.

The ‘jatha’ will cross over to Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah Joint Checkpost on November 17. The pilgrimage has been scheduled between November 17 and 26 and the devotees would also have an opportunity to visit other Sikh shrines, including Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur.

SGPC chief secretary Harjinder Singh said as per the notification received from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, all pilgrims should be vaccinated with both doses against Covid-19 and must undergo a Covid test 72 hours before leaving for Pakistan. “We have received a telephonic message from the Pakistan High Commission in this regard. The pilgrims who have submitted their passports should pay attention to the norms so that they do not face any problem while travelling to Pakistan,” he said.

The SGPC has also announced holding a special Covid-19 testing camp for the pilgrims at its office in Amritsar, the dates of which would be disclosed shortly. On the other side of the border, a coordination meeting was scheduled between the PSGPC and ETPB officials at the latter’s office in Lahore.

Former PSGPC president Satwant Singh said their team would be at the Wagah border on November 17 to receive the Indian ‘jatha’ which would be straightway heading to Sri Nankana Sahib. The ‘akhand path’ would be initiated the same day and the ‘bhog’ would be performed on November 19.

He said adequate boarding and lodging arrangements had been made keeping in view the Covid-19 guidelines.

Meanwhile, lakhs of devotees thronged the Golden Temple on the occasion of Bandi Chhor Diwas (Diwali) on Thursday. The Golden Temple complex was decked up with colourful lights on the occasion.

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