TAXILA: Gurdwara Punja Sahib on Thursday morning came alive as Sikh pilgrims chanted slogans like ‘Wahe Guru Ji Ki Khalsa’, ‘Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh’ and ‘Jo Bole So Nihal’.

Sweets (prasad) were distributed to pilgrims present at the temple as they were marking the 553rd birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev, founder of the Sikh religion. Over 3,000 pilgrims including 2,409 from India reached here to perform their religious rituals including Matha Taki, Ashnan and the exchange of gifts. Sardar Harvinder Singh - a granthi at the temple said that Guru Nanak’s birth is celebrated everywhere in the world.

He added that Guru Naka Jayanti (birth celebrations) fall on the full moon day of the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar, which falls in November. Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Sardar Saleem Haider also visited the temple to greet the pilgrims. He cut a cake to mark the celebrations.

Addressing the pilgrims, he said that Pakistan is considering issuance of online visas for the pilgrims who want to visit their holy places and attend their religious gatherings. He added that there was no restriction from the government over the visit by the pilgrims and besides their historical events, they could apply for a pilgrimage visa around the year.

Talking to journalists, a Sikh pilgrim from India - Sardar Gurmeet Singh said that the pilgrims had come to Pakistan with a message of love, peace, friendship and harmony.

“Pakistan is the land of Sikh Gurus and Sikhs love this land as this is our second homeland. We are always welcomed with love and it is a true example of Sikh-Muslim friendship,” he said.

Another pilgrim Sardar Arvinder Singh lauded steps taken by the government for upkeep and restoration of gurdwaras, adding that the latest step of opening the corridor would further cement relations between Pakistan and the Sikh community.

He said the Indian Sikh community was grateful to the government for issuing them maximum number of visas, adding, “Pakistan is sacred to us and we love it, and we come here with a message of peace and brotherhood.” Sardar Pareet Singh, a pilgrim from Amritsar said that every religion taught love, tolerance and respect for humanity. He appreciated the government’s efforts towards ensuring religious freedom for minorities and safeguarding sacred places and gurdwaras of the Sikh community.

Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Deputy Secretary Shrines Saiful Islam Khokar said the board, in collaboration with the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the district administration had made security and accommodation arrangements for Indian and local Sikh yatrees.

“Strict security measures were taken in and around the Sikh temple where dozens of officials from security agencies were deployed,” he added. He said that the pilgrims will leave for Gurdwara Dera Sahib Lahore on Nov 11 after performing religious rituals in the celebrations.

The pilgrims will return to India through Wagah border on Nov 15.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2022