Amritsar: In a significant religious journey marking the festival of Baisakhi, a large group of Sikh devotees set out from Amritsar on Friday morning, heading toward the Attari-Wagah Border. The group is bound for Pakistan to pay homage at some of Sikhism’s most revered sites and to commemorate the establishment of the Khalsa Panth.
The delegation (pilgrim group), comprising nearly 2,800 members, includes devotees from across India, with a substantial number facilitated by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Of these, over 1,700 pilgrims were organized and sent by the SGPC, while others joined from different regions nationwide.
Before departure, the pilgrims assembled at Gurdwara Saragarhi, located near the Golden Temple, where arrangements were made for their onward travel in buses.
Among the devotees was Ranjit Kaur from Barnala, who expressed deep emotion as she prepared for her first visit to Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev. She described the travel as a lifelong aspiration, now being fulfilled on a spiritually significant occasion.
The pilgrimage itinerary includes visits to key religious sites such as Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore. Devotees are expected to reach Lahore later in the day after completing immigration and security procedures at the border.
Officials overseeing the travel stated that pilgrims began arriving at the joint check post early in the morning for documentation checks conducted by authorities from both countries. Once cleared, the group will proceed into Pakistan and continue their travel by road.
The SGPC’s Yatra wing played a central role in coordinating the pilgrimage, handling logistics such as visa processing, passport collection, and travel arrangements, ensuring a smooth journey for participants.
This annual cross-border pilgrimage remains a vital spiritual link for Sikhs, allowing them to connect with their historical roots and sacred heritage sites located in Pakistan.
