Thousands of Sikh pilgrims leave for Pakistan

Over three thousand Indian Sikh pilgrims left for Pakistan on Wednesday to attend the celebration of 538th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

By Ravinder Singh Robin

Amritsar, Nov 21 : Over three thousand Indian Sikh pilgrims left for Pakistan on Wednesday to attend the celebration of 538th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

The Sikh community is celebrating this auspicious occasion on November 24.

The groups left for Nankana Sahib in Pakistan by train.

"I know that emergency is imposed there, we are keeping an eye on the situation there. We have been in touch with the President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee, Bhishan Singh. He called me and said that security arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of the Sikh pilgrims," said Avtar Singh Makkar, President, Shriomani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

"I am going there for the first time. I am feeling very happy. We will go to Nankana Sahib and other Gurudwaras," said Harpal Singh, a devotee.

Every year, thousands of Sikhs from India and other countries visit Nankana Sahib.

Punjab was divided between the two countries after India was freed from theritish rule in August 1947.

Important Sikh shrines such as Nankana Sahib, Panja Sahib among others remained in Pakistan while the major chunk of Sikh community had to remain inndia.

The pilgrims will also visit various gurudwaras and other religious places in Pakistan.

ANI