In a gesture that will add a step to the path of harmony, the Pakistan government has now allowed the 505 pilgrims, who are visiting Nankana Sahib to visit other prominent Sikh shrines in the country too, reported The Tribune.
According to a report in the community news portal Sikh24, the Pakistan government had granted visas to 505 Sikh pilgrims for attending the events at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Sikhism’s founder, Guru Nanak Sahib, to mark the centenary of Saka Nankana Sahib (which is known as the Nankana Sahib massacre). The report added that the massacre “took place in Gurdwara Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib on February 20 1921.” It is recorded that over 260 Sikhs were killed, and the event is said to be a landmark of Sikh history.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), is reported to have applied for visas for 629 pilgrims, out of which 505 visas were issued. The jatha or group of pilgrims is expected to depart from Amritsar Sahib on February 18, and will enter Pakistan via Wagah border, stated news reports. All those travelling will be tested for Covid-19 according to set norms. According to news reports the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) has planned a week-long programme to mark the centenary.
The Tribune shared the following schedule:
Feb 18 Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib
Feb 19 Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Farooqabad
Feb 21 Main event at Nankana Sahib
Feb 22 Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal
Feb 23 Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore
Feb 24 Kartarpur Sahib & Rori Sahib, Gujranwala
Feb 25 Back through Attari-Wagah border.
According to the news report the jatha, is being led by Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh.
The last time the jatha was granted permission to celebrate the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, but their movement was restricted to Sri Nankana Sahib only in the wake of Covid situation, stated the news report. During this visit the jatha will visit Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Farooqabad, on February 19 and the main event will be held at Nankana Sahib on February 21. They will visit Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal; Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore, on February 23, where a dinner is expected to be hosted at the Governor’s House.
According to reports, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), led by Bibi Jagir Kaurtoo, will commemorate the occasion at an event to be held at Godharpur village in Gurdaspur district. According to The Tribune this place is associated with the kin of Shaheed Bhai Lachhman Singh Dharowali, who was martyred at Nankana Sahib.
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