Amritsar, April 10: A jatha of approximately 2,800 Sikh pilgrims commenced a spiritual journey to Pakistan on Friday morning to observe Baisakhi and the birth anniversary of the Khalsa Panth. Departing from Amritsar toward the Attari-Wagah border, the group intends to visit several prominent religious sites, including Nankana Sahib and Dera Sahib, to offer prayers during the annual festival.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) facilitated the departure of 1,743 devotees from various regions of Punjab, while the remaining members of the delegation arrived from other parts of India. Buses carrying the pilgrims assembled at Gurdwara Saragarhi near the Golden Temple before moving toward the international border for official clearance.
Jagjit Singh, the official in charge of the SGPC Yatra branch, noted that the pilgrims began arriving at the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post at 8 a.m. for the necessary administrative procedures. He stated that the group would undergo thorough document verification by both Indian and Pakistani authorities before continuing their journey. According to Singh, the pilgrims are expected to reach Lahore by bus later in the day to begin their itinerary.
The pilgrimage holds deep personal significance for many participants who are visiting these historic sites for the first time. Ranjit Kaur, a devotee from Barnala, affirmed that visiting the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev has been a lifelong ambition. She declared that her long-cherished desire is finally being met on the auspicious occasion of the Khalsa Panth’s birth anniversary.
The SGPC Yatra branch remains responsible for the logistical management of the pilgrimage, which involves the collection of passports and coordination with the Pakistani embassy for visa processing.
