346 Sikh pilgrims depart for Lahore
A jatha (group) of 346 Sikh pilgrims crossed over to Pakistan from the Attari-Wagah border here on Sunday to attend the death anniversary congregation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Lahore, located adjoining the historic Sikh shrine Gurdwara Panja Sahib, officials said.
An SGPC official said the jatha will visit Gurdwara Nankana Sahib after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Sahib, Mandi Chuharkana and will then return to Nankana Sahib.
The official said the jatha will stay at Gurdwara Panja Sahib to participate in the main congregation.
The official said afterwards, the group of Sikh pilgrims will visit Gurdwara Dehra Sahib (Lahore), Gurdwara Rori Sahib (Eminabad), and Gurdwara Sri Kartapur Sahib.
After staying at Gurdwara Dehra Sahib (Lahore), they will return to India on June 30.
He said the SGPC sent copies of holy Gutka Sahibs of Gurbani, kanghas (combs), karhas (iron bracelets), Kirpans, shawls, and tea with the jatha.
The official said for the pilgrims’ convenience, the SGPC provided help filling out entry forms, etc, at the Attari border, and special buses were arranged for their transportation.
He said the SGPC also arranged langar and tea and water for the pilgrims at the Attari/Wagah border.
Three Sikh bodies -- the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Amritsar, the Haryana Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HGPC), and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Board (DSGMB) -- sponsored the group of Sikh pilgrims.
