Amritsar, Apr 10 (PTI) A ‘jatha’ (procession) of nearly 2,700 Sikh pilgrims crossed over to Pakistan from the Attari border here on Friday to participate in a religious congregation to be organised on the occasion of Khalsa Sajna Diwas (Baisakhi) at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in the Punjab province of the neighbouring country.
The journey of the 2,700 pilgrims was facilitated by three Sikh bodies — Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Amritsar, Haryana Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HGPC) and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Board (DSGMB) — with SGPC Amritsar sponsoring around 1695 pilgrims.
The jatha crossed over to Pakistan through the Joint Check Post at the Attari border.
An SGPC official said the jatha has departed to participate in the main congregation of Khalsa Sajna Diwas to be organised at Gurdwara Panja Sahib at Hasanabdal.
He said the jatha will also pay obeisance at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib (the birthplace of Guru Nanak) and Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Sahib in Pakistan’s Punjab province. For the most part of the visit, the jatha will stay at Gurdwara Panja Sahib where they will participate at the main congregation.
Thereafter, the jatha will visit Gurdwara Dehra Sahib in Lahore, Gurdwara Rori Sahib in Eminabad, and Gurdwara Sri Kartapur Sahib.
Following a stay at Gurdwara Dehra Sahib on April 17, the Sikh jatha will return to India on April 19, the official said.
The official said the SGPC has sent copies of holy Gutka Sahibs of Gurbani, ‘kanghas’ (comb), ‘karhas’ (iron bracelet), ‘kirpans’ (sacred dagger), shawls, and tea, with the jatha.
He said on the day of the main congregation on the occasion of Baisakhi, ‘Amrit Sanchar’ (initiation ceremony) will be organised at Gurdwara Panja Sahib.
The official said for convenience of pilgrims, the SGPC facilitated filling of entry forms and other necessary documentation at the Attari border, and special buses were arranged for transportation of pilgrims.
The SGPC also arranged ‘langar’, tea and water for the pilgrims at Attari border, he added. PTI JMS SUN VSD ARB ARB
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