‘Jatha’ comprising 815 pilgrims reaches Pakistan for Baisakhi

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 12

A jatha comprising 815 pilgrims under different banners on Monday left for Pakistan on the occasion of Khalsa Sajna Divas (Baisakhi) through Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post.

The main event has been scheduled at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal on April 14.

The Pakistan High Commission had issued visa to 1,100 pilgrims for the occasion. In the wake of the Covid threat, the National Command Operation Centre of Pakistan has put a ban on large religious gatherings. The Pak Sikh families were told to avoid their physical presence at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib.

Many Indian pilgrims too were disappointed after they were denied visa by the Ministry of External Affairs. SGPC had submitted 793 applications out of which 437 got visa.

As per protocol in the wake of the pandemic, they all underwent Covid testing 72 hours before their departure. SGPC executive committee member Baba Charanjit Singh Jassowal, secretary Mahinder Singh Ahli, and SGPC officials flagged off the jatha after honouring members with siropas (robe of honour). The jatha was led by its member Harpal Singh Jallah, assisted by his colleague Gurmeet Singh Booh and Amarjit Singh Bhalaipur.

SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur told that for the gurdwaras in Pakistan, the Santhiya Sanchis (lesson volumes) of Gurbani, kakaars (five symbols of Sikh faith) for Amrit Sanchar besides cholas (traditional Sikh attire), khandas, harmonium sets, turbans, loyis (woolen shawls), etc. have  also been despatched.

Once they crossed over to Wagah border, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Satwant Singh and other office-bearers and members received them warmly and offered them ‘langar’. Later, after furnishing formalities, they were ferried directly to Gurdwara Panja Sahib through special buses.

Satwant Singh said that with precautionary measures the occasion would be celebrated with religious zeal and enthusiasm.

“Elaborate arrangements for their stay as per standard operative procedure (SOP) guidelines, keeping social distancing, sanitisation, and proper hygiene, have been made. The Pakistan Sikh families have been conveyed to cooperate and celebrate the event in their homes so that the Indian Sikh pilgrims could be attended properly”, he said.

Other Sikh shrines on the itinerary

If everything goes according to the plans, the pilgrims will have an opportunity to visit other Sikh shrines during the 10-day trip. From Gurdwara Panja Sahib, they will go to Nankana Sahib on April 14. The jatha will go to Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Sheikhupura, on April 16, Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore, from April 17-18, Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib on April 19, where it will have night stay. The jatha will also visit Gurdwara Rori Sahib on April 20 and Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore, on April 21, before returning on April 22.