Amritsar, April 10: A delegation of 2,800 Sikh pilgrims traveled to the Attari border on Friday, marking the start of a religious journey to Pakistan for Baisakhi festivities. The group consists of 1,743 members sponsored by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and over 1,000 additional devotees from across the country, all seeking to pay their respects at historic gurdwaras.
The administrative process for the crossing began early in the morning as SGPC officials coordinated bus transport from Gurdwara Saragarhi. The Yatra branch of the committee handled the comprehensive visa application process and document distribution for the successful applicants prior to their departure for the Joint Check Post.
Jagjit Singh, who oversees the SGPC Yatra branch, maintained that the devotees are required to pass through rigorous verification protocols managed by authorities on both sides of the border. He asserted that after completing these formalities, the jatha will board buses in the evening to reach their initial destinations in Pakistan.
For many in the group, the trip represents a significant spiritual milestone. Ranjit Kaur, representing a segment of the pilgrims from the Barnala district, asserted that she is eager to visit the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev. She maintained that the opportunity to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Khalsa Panth at such a significant location fulfills a primary goal in her life.
The itinerary for the jatha includes stops at Nankana Sahib and various shrines in Lahore. These annual visits are organized to allow the community to maintain a connection with their heritage and perform traditional rites during the Baisakhi season.
