Amritsar: The first Sikh Jatha departed for Attari on Tuesday to cross into Pakistan for the celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parkash Purb at Gurdwara Janamsthan, Nankana Sahib. The auspicious occasion will be observed on November 5.
This year, the Central Government has granted permission exclusively to Indian citizens to participate in the pilgrimage — a departure from previous years when Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) were also allowed to join.
Approximately 2,000 devotees are expected to cross the Attari-Wagah border to pay homage at historic gurdwaras in Lahore and Nankana Sahib. The pilgrims will return to India on November 13 after completing their spiritual journey. Among them are many first-time visitors who have long yearned to visit the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
The Centre had initially denied permission for the pilgrimage, citing heightened security concerns following recent drone exchanges between India and Pakistan. However, after persistent appeals from Sikh organizations and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the government agreed to allow a symbolic Jatha, upholding the long-standing religious tradition.
The SGPC made special arrangements to facilitate the departure, including buses that began ferrying pilgrims from Heritage Street near the Golden Temple to Attari early Tuesday morning.
